Would you believe me if I said one of the most brilliant songs of all time was by the Barenaked Ladies?
Uncategorized Add commentsI’ve posted about this song before, years ago, but since my archives aren’t online anywhere (or at least, here) I’m posting about it again.
This song is really deep. It looks cute on the surface, but when you really start looking at it, it says so much. It’s about a window washer who is afraid of heights. (The video cuts off part of the first line. Also, he changes one line for a laugh, you’ll see what I mean.)
I look straight in the window, try not to look below
Pretend I’m not up here, try counting sheep
But the sheep seem to shower off this office tower
Nine-point-eight straight down, I can’t stop my knees
Chorus:
I wish I could fly
From this building, from this wall
And if I should try,
Would you catch me if I fall?
My hands clench the squeegee, my secular rosary
Hang on to your wallet, hang on to your rings
Can’t look below me, or something might throw me
I curse at the windstorms that October brings
I look in the boardroom; a modern pharaoh’s tomb
I’d gladly swap places, if they care to dive
They’re lined up at the window, peer down into limbo
They’re frightened of jumping, in case they survive
I wish I could step from this scaffold
Onto soft green pastures, shopping malls, or bed
With my family and my pastor and my grandfather who’s dead
Look straight in the mirror, watch it come clearer
I look like a painter, behind all the grease
But painting’s creating, and I’m just erasing
A crystal-clear canvas is my masterpiece
My favorite line is the last one.
Here’s a “bathroom session” version.
February 5th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Oh, I love that song. I recently put it on a mix I made for my daughter for Christmas featuring pop/rock songs with violin in them.
It’s really a brilliant song. I like how it so perfectly introduces its premise and mood. The idea of a window cleaner who is afraid of heights, but philosophical about the whole thing just really gets me.
When I used to work in a skyscraper, I was fascinated by the window washers.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
They’re genius at doing whimsical melancholy. Sort of like Madness in that sense.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I’ve seen them do this live and LOVED it. I love this song. There is a novel titled When I Fall that was inspired by this song. I keep meaning to pick it up.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I can’t remember if they did this when I saw them live. Amber might remember. They are so entertaining live. I wish I could go on one of their cruises, and I’m someone who thinks cruises sound nightmarish.
I didn’t know about the novel. I’ll have to look for it.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Great song!
I love most of BNL –I’ve seen them in concert twice. It’s been years, though.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
http://www.barbmcclatchy.com/id74.html