Jimmie
08-08-2005, 10:37 AM
Originally posted by Jimmie in another thread...
Then there's this statement: Helena, Thile says, builds massively, because this character is deteriorating before your eyes.
That's, for me, what makes Helena such an interesting song. Both the title character and the individual speaking to her change as the song moves forward. It starts out in one frame of mind, and ends in quite another.
Chris elaborates on this point in the new Rolling Stone interview:
As a songwriter, I was happy with the development of the character and how he deteriorates before your eyes and exposes himself to be the desperate, conniving asshole that he is.
Looking at the songs as a whole on WSTFD, I wonder about the experiences that may have triggered them.
It's always a risk with songwriters to assume that they are writing from personal experience - that is, to assume that a song is fact rather than fiction. But that question is really put into focus when you read this quote from Chris:
The title alludes to dissolution, he says. The deeper you get in with anyone, certainly the darker and more complex it becomes. It seems like most relationships, particularly romantic, inevitably deteriorate . . . including, recently, my marriage.
There are quite a few songs on WSTFD that seem to deal with failing relationships. I suspect that there are elements of both fact and fiction mixed into these lyrics.
Then there's this statement: Helena, Thile says, builds massively, because this character is deteriorating before your eyes.
That's, for me, what makes Helena such an interesting song. Both the title character and the individual speaking to her change as the song moves forward. It starts out in one frame of mind, and ends in quite another.
Chris elaborates on this point in the new Rolling Stone interview:
As a songwriter, I was happy with the development of the character and how he deteriorates before your eyes and exposes himself to be the desperate, conniving asshole that he is.
Looking at the songs as a whole on WSTFD, I wonder about the experiences that may have triggered them.
It's always a risk with songwriters to assume that they are writing from personal experience - that is, to assume that a song is fact rather than fiction. But that question is really put into focus when you read this quote from Chris:
The title alludes to dissolution, he says. The deeper you get in with anyone, certainly the darker and more complex it becomes. It seems like most relationships, particularly romantic, inevitably deteriorate . . . including, recently, my marriage.
There are quite a few songs on WSTFD that seem to deal with failing relationships. I suspect that there are elements of both fact and fiction mixed into these lyrics.