Lyrical Insight

While battering chicken fingers for the FAMEKids group, I was listening to the Hozier self-titled album (2014). The song "Arsonist's Lullaby" was on, and I found myself washing my hands too often to re-play it. I recommend taking a few minutes to listen to the song before reading on.

On a quest for more information, I came across this lyrics website: Rock Genius. Individuals can highlight lines/sections of the song and comment on what they feel it means to them (you can click on a line and an elaboration will appear to the right), and I found it particularly interesting to read what people thought and shared about this specific song.

Music has historically been a means of release for many artists and musicians, and many listeners have found an empathetic shoulder to lean on. [Cat Power being the first artist to come to mind]. Often layered with enigmatic lyrics and metaphoric language, musicians are surely opening the platform for individuals the world over to engage in a conversation about what they think the song could mean, how it impacts them and myriad other thoughts and feelings. Certainly, sites like the one posted above offer a place to speak, allowing people who perhaps wouldn't voice their ideas naturally to raise their virtual hand in an anonymous and safe space.

Let me know what YOU think!

Caveat: Although I don't necessarily share the views that are written on the website mentioned, I feel it imperative to open the discussion surrounding such issues of mental illness and their public reception, as they are often laden with misconceptions and stigmatized perspectives.