Love, one of the greatest emotions known to humanity, is often hailed for its good and its bad in all art forms, including music. In continuing the series of art in music, this week's theme is "Love." The songs listed here bring together an intersection of musical genius, art history knowledge, art appreciation, and experiences of love. Enjoy!
The Weepies -- Painting by Chagall
This indie rock group combines the musical talents of Deb Talan and Steve Tannen -- together the couple form the band "The Weepies." The song is obviously inspired by the duo's personal love. Talking about the night they first met, Talan says, "...we stayed up all night playing songs for each other, drinking a bottle of wine and trading an acoustic guitar back and forth in a tiny apartment." Tannen adds, "That night has lasted ten years so far." The reference to art is in the chorus as they sing, "We float like two lovers in a painting by Chagall." Marc Chagall was a painter of Jewish descent born in what is now Belarus in 1887. In many of his artworks, figures seem to float in dreamlike landscapes and a common theme of love is prominent in his work.
Teenage Fanclub -- Escher
Comparing a relationship to an M.C. Escher artwork, the songwriter states, "I don't know if I'm going up or down with you." I'm certain we've all experience the uncertainty that sometimes comes in love, either in its early stages or after a bad fight. This beautiful metaphor here with the work of mastermind artist Escher is a perfectly fitting way to describe this feeling of doubt and excitement.
Nick Cave -- Something's Gotten a Hold of My Heart
While this song doesn't directly mention any particular artist or artwork, it does reference the art-making practice of painting. Nick sings, "Painting my sleep with a color so bright, Changing the gray and changing the blue, Scarlet for me and scarlet for you."
Alabama -- You Only Paint the Picture Once
Country fan or not, give this song a listen as it's sure to put tears in your eyes as you think of the years past and the years to come spent with the love of your life. While the entire song speaks about the act of painting, the chorus puts it best, "While the brush is in your hand, make sure it's just right, before the colors dry, you can't change it once it's done, you only paint the picture once." What a poetic explanation of the commitment required in marriage and the continuing effort involved to make it last.
Carlisle Belinda -- Shades Of Michelangelo
"With a stroke of love, on the canvas of my soul, I'm painting a perfect world, with shades of Michaelangelo" repeats the chorus of this dramatic song of hope and endurance. Of course, the mention of the great master of sculpture and painting Michelangelo is what makes this song an artful one. He's, of course, best known for his David sculpture and the amazing mural of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling.
Semisonic -- Sculpture Garden
When you're in love it seems that time slows down and yet, at the same moment, there is never enough time. All you can think about is spending every second with him/her. This songs speaks to that other-worldly sense of awe and beauty found in each moment of being in love. In reference to art, the singer describes the soft night and aesthetic features of a sculpture garden he's walking in with his love.
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Stay tuned for more "Art in Music" posts...
In researching the musings of various musicians about the topic of visual art, I found songs including mentions of art are somewhat limited in quantity, yet profoundly inspiring and memorable. I chose to sort my findings according to a few common themes and then present a review of each group on the following schedule:
- ODES (Part 1) to specific artworks, artists, or art movements -- June 8 (4 songs)
- LOVE songs, some hopeful and others confused, referencing art -- July 6 (6 songs)
- HUMOROUS songs about art or specific artists -- August 3 (5 songs)
- BIOGRAPHIES of specific artists' lives -- September 7 (3 songs)
- ODES (Part 2) to specific artworks, artists, or art movements -- October 5 (4 songs)
- BALLADS of heartbreak, using art as a metaphor -- November 2 (3 songs)
- REALISTIC narrations of pain, hope, struggle, and life, presented with references to art -- December 7 (5 songs)
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