Some years ago, in the magazine Rolling Stone, I read a review of Bob
Dylan’s album Blood on the Tracks. In
it, the writer spoke of the song “Tangled Up in Blue” and said that it “borders
on the metaphysical of how lost love haunts lives”.
That statement, powerful in its truth and simplicity, sums up the gift
that music has given humankind for thousands of years: its ability to elicit an
emotional response.
I’ve listened to music all of my life, and been moved emotionally by
many songs and music pieces. Never has
one compelled me to sit down and write about it as this one has. It is a song called “Brief Sounds”, written
and performed by the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Kris Angelis.
“Brief Sounds” perfectly captures the angst and heartbreak of a relationship. Ms. Angelis’ lyrics are powerfully emotional
and moving in its storytelling. To
borrow the line from the Rolling Stone review, this song borders on, and
perhaps dwells in, the metaphysical in telling its story. It is, simply put, a beautiful song.
From the very first line, you, the listener, are made a part of and
feel the emotion of the storyteller:
“I felt so high, but I was shy
then you turned dry
and I wet my life
with tears I cried
you always liked drama.”
In this song, the storyteller is deeply, madly, and passionately in
love with someone, but the other person doesn’t totally return that love,
neither was the other person honest. The
other person didn’t want to commit their heart to the relationship, or saw it as
a relationship of convenience, or used the relationship with the storyteller as
a means to attract someone else. The
storyteller comes to realize this, and shares her pain with us through the
music and words.
The most emotional lines in the song, ones that resonate with me and
with anyone who loved someone in the way the storyteller does, are these lines
- told by the storyteller at a point when she realizes that it isn’t going to
work, but she still has feelings for the other person.
“I looked all around for you,
so I could pretend
that I didn’t care
that you were there.
Your lies were made of fear
and my hope was made of pain
gotta wipe away the memories
so I can say I’m sane.
I believed you thought that you were real
but it’s not something you can feel.”
She goes on:
“Well, I never felt your lips
would love me
let me give you a tip
there’s no manuscript
for relationships
you danced with me
and then ran the other way.
All you said we had to say
was nothing
but that’s okay
you’re not a disappointment
if nothing was expected.
Then you finally opened up
and lied to me and dealt with it
so clumsily
if you weren’t you, would you be?”
Then there’s this line, a perfect metaphor for dishonesty:
“I looked at your eyes
hadn’t seen them yet
and I realized they
can’t decide what color they are.”
“Brief Sounds” is a song is that is so powerful, and so perfect in its
story of human feelings.
Ms. Angelis is a masterful singer/songwriter, and much of her other
music shares the same passion and emotion.
It’s just that “Brief Sounds” has captured a special place in my
heart.
“Brief Sounds” is here on iTunes and it is worth far more than the
99 cents to buy it.
You can find all of her music on iTunes or at.krisangelis.com.
