i have to admit that i probably may not have latched onto this song if i hadn't seen the video accompanying it. but, i did see it and i liked it. i think i just liked the idea of being able to hug away the world's and people's problems, as well as the idea that, when one and one come together, we're not two, but a stronger one (i.e., unified).
informational tidbits, per wikipedia:
Damon Gough chose his stage name from the title character in the TV show Sam and his Magic Ball. In 2002, Q magazine named Badly Drawn Boy in their list of the "50 Bands To See Before You Die", although this was as part of a sub-list of "5 Bands That Could Go Either Way" on account of Gough's tendency to talk and tell stories for extended periods rather than playing songs. The album One Plus One Is One (which contains "Year of the Rat") was a portrait of his personal life. Documenting a death of a close friend and the loss of a grandfather. Released in 2004, it was not a great commercial success, and Gough decided to leave his contract with XL Recordings after only one single was released.As best as i can understand, the rat in the chinese zodiac is associated with protection and material prosperity, whatever that adds to it for you.
Lyrics:
(One, one, one, one, one, one. One, one, one, one, one, one)
June is on the run for so long
Pushed and pulled then shunned
It was so wrong
These fours walls crashing in won't stop me now
Cause I'm alive, I'm out tonight, all night
Everybody needs to know it's the year of the rat
Every day we've got to hold on
'cause if we hold on we could find some new energy
Streets with flags unfurled like treasure
Thank me for my words, it's a pleasure
Just don't ask me to stay 'cause I'll be gone
But it's alright I'm OK - always
Everybody needs to know it's the year of the rat
Every day we've got to hold on
'cause if we hold on we could find some new energy
One plus one is one - together
One plus one is one - forever
One plus one is one - together
One plus one is one - forever
Everybody needs to know it's the year of the rat
Everybody needs to know it's the year of the rat
Everybody needs to know it's the year of the rat
Everybody needs to know it's the year of the rat
Every day we've got to hold on
'cause if we hold on we could find some new energy
"One plus one plus one plus one is four"
"One"
"Plus one"
"Plus one"
"Plus one"
"Four"
Posts
I really like Badly Drawn Boy. Pretty mellow stuff. I don't know if I'd heard this song before, but I like it. Year of the Snake is better than Rat (I'm a snake :)), but Rat's cool.
ReplyDeleteThe video kind of reminds me of the feelings of unity and brotherhood everyone felt after 9/11. Kinda sad how quickly that disappeared.
I'm not sure I've ever heard Badly Brawn Boy before, but I really dig this song.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned previously that I love when the human voice is used as an instrument. Well that love is rivaled by my love of children choirs.
Children singing the chorus of a song kind of immortalizes it, if only for the duration of the song. It throws down roots into the mythology of childhood. It uses the familiar to exotically alienate. I love it.
i remember hearing this song in college.... disregarding it and thinking.. "that's weird." and then hearing it again and watching the video and in my mind... confirming the weirdness of it.... and then hearing it again.. and loving it.
ReplyDeletenot crazy exaggerated love... but warm, fuzzy feeling love.
it goes to show how songs can grow on you.
i havent heard it since then... so thank you.