I just might have tapped into your mind and soul
I’m besotted by the emotion and clarity of idea that can be captured in a song lyric. Sometimes that adoration extends to whole songs. Every so often, I can’t wrap my brain around how people can distil such an idea, with such clarity into a sentence, completely perfect for that sentiment. One of my absolute favourites is, I sell the fact I can’t be bought, which is from Batphone by Arctic Monkeys. This is different to songs I love singing. Like I love to sing I Don’t Mind by Usher and Juicy J. The song whilst catchy doesn’t have strong lyrical value. Likewise, my other favourite Usher song, Love in This Club (feat. Young Jeezy) is wonderful to belt out in the car but not anything you’d get tattooed on your person. I’m obsessed with Arctic Monkeys in general. I find many of their lyrics complicated, beautiful and an excellent reflection of the time in which they were created. Their latest Tranquility Base Hotel Casino, which features the previously mentioned, Batphone also has the great line, technological advances, really bloody get me in the mood.
Back when I used MSN, I used to make song lyrics my name. A common favourite was I’ve got soul, but I’m not a solider off Hot Fuss by The Killers. An excellent album. I hardly understood the line then, but I really don’t get it now. This isn’t an indication of anything though because for a long time I had the MSN name, patience is a virtue I just don’t have. A catchy line I stole from a Mimco campaign (an accessories brand here in Australia). But I am getting carried away, this is not just about catchy lines in general but song lines. Perhaps it speaks to our desire to summarise ourselves in a succinct way. The elevator pitch of our personalities, which some people manage to do with emojis in their social media bios. A love heart next to the name of their betrothed, a glass of wine or even a baby to show that they have one.
I don’t have any emojis in my Instagram bio, no song lyrics either. Every so often I go to tweet a song lyric, completely caught up in the way it echoes in my mind, speaking directly to my soul. Ditto lines from books.
Without MSN in my life, I no longer have my username to share snappy lines, which more than anything were reminders. Well, that’s how I felt about them. Now on the back of my office door I have two posters. One is the lyrics to Taylor Swift’s Mirrorball, a song which I love for its bittersweet recount of just trying and being awkward. The poster also features a disco ball, one of my favourite images. The other is a comic style image advertising Arctic Monkeys song Arabella. The song is just about this ultimate person in her leopard print coat. And whenever I see it, I think of this person that they sing about who just seems like she’s her own. A valuable reminder whether people see it or not.
The title of today’s newsletter is another line from Arabella, which felt perfect as it captures what we’re speaking about today. I would love to hear your favourite song lyrics if you feel like sharing.
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