This is not my favorite version of this song, but the song itself is one of my all-time favorites.
I was ready to comment that listening to it puts me in something that feels like a state of grace (a big reason I sing it to my children), but then Michael went ahead and used that lovely word first!
I can see being depressed by this song. It presents a vision of love/faith/religion/spirituality/ what-have-you that is tough, complicated, tragic, and inexplicable. It acknowleges that true faith in anything requires doubt. If something is really important (God, your marriage, love, justice, etc.), doubt is terrifying. So, yeah, it's a depressing song.
But the repeated refrain is a phrase of gratitude and praise. Repeated like a mantra. It's like no matter how dark it gets, we humans have the ability to believe in the light. The refrain could be read as ironic, but I'm too earnest for that.
Wow. I have never been much of a Bon Jovi fan... but I could easily become one if he's doing this sort of work now.
ReplyDeleteThis is credited to an album called "Stripped". I can't seem to find a lot of evidence that it exists.
ReplyDeleteI was listening to Jeff Buckley's "Grace" last night, and that song seemed to sum up my feelings better than any words could.
This is not my favorite version of this song, but the song itself is one of my all-time favorites.
ReplyDeleteI was ready to comment that listening to it puts me in something that feels like a state of grace (a big reason I sing it to my children), but then Michael went ahead and used that lovely word first!
Well, Jeff Buckley used it, actually.
ReplyDeleteThe song depresses me, truth be told. I'm not sure exactly why.
I'm already depressed... which is why it appealed to me. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGrief for lost love?
I guess that's the great thing about art-everybody reacts to it in their own way.
ReplyDeleteI can see being depressed by this song. It presents a vision of love/faith/religion/spirituality/
ReplyDeletewhat-have-you that is tough, complicated, tragic, and inexplicable. It acknowleges that true faith in anything requires doubt. If something is really important (God, your marriage, love, justice, etc.), doubt is terrifying. So, yeah, it's a depressing song.
But the repeated refrain is a phrase of gratitude and praise. Repeated like a mantra. It's like no matter how dark it gets, we humans have the ability to believe in the light. The refrain could be read as ironic, but I'm too earnest for that.
If you are anything, you are earnest.
ReplyDelete