The Music Court

              Yesterday’s lyric of the day by my trusty partner in crime Josh Baum made a good point. There is not much to say about these lyrics but the fact that they flow with the song very well. This is quite important. The lyric can be a fantastic story but if it does not flow with the song then the song will continue to be skipped over by listeners. So, with that in mind, today I bring for your lyric fancy a song by the fantastic songwriter Sam Beam who understands the importance of well-placed words in song

            “Boy With a Coin,” released on The Shepherd’s Dog and as a single in 2007, is a perfect example of a song whose lyric flows perfectly with the beat. In this case, an upbeat acoustic guitar riff with clapping and amazing repetition. Yet, when one looks deeper into the lyric it is not just a random array of words that flow well, but, an interesting lyric that can spark much discussion. Let us take a look at the excellent last verse.

          “Boy with a coin he crammed in his jeans
           then making a wish, and tossed in the sea
           then walked to a town that all of us burned
           when God left the ground to circle the world”

                    – “Boy With a Coin,” by Iron & Wine off of The Shepherd’s Dog

        I believe Sam Beam is using the coin as a symbol throughout this song, but specifically in this segment. The coin is representing the youthfulness of the child who tosses it into “the sea” while “making a wish.” An optimistic child would believe in this wishfulness. Yet, as he walks back to town he sees that its “burned” which symbolizes an unfortunate loss of innocence for the child. He attempts to hold onto this nonexistent reality of wishes but is forever destined to enter a world which is harsh and sad. What do you guys think?

This single cover goes right along with the concept of the song. The snake represents the ultimate loss of innocence and Beam who frequently plays with religious concepts displays the ultimate temptation in the Garden of Eden in this cover. Just like the boy with a coin, the snake and the apple. The wishful state mixed with the ultimate reality of life outside of eden.

When you try your best, but you don’t succeed, When you get what you want, but not what you need, When you feel so tired, but you can’t sleep, Stuck in reverse, And the tears come streaming down your face, When you lose something you can’t replace, When you love someone, but it goes to waste, Could it be worse? Lights will guide you home, And ignite your bones, And I will try to fix you, And high up above or down below, When you’re too in love to let it go, But if you never try you’ll never know, Just what you’re worth, Lights will guide you home, And ignite your bones, And I will try to fix you, Tears stream down your face, When you lose something you cannot replace, Tears stream down your face
And I… Tears stream down on your face, I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face, And I… Lights will guide you home, And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you.

Coldplay’s second single off of their 2005 album X & Y follows a very somber tune with a melodic chorus but has an uplifting message, and that is when you are at your lowest point this entity or person that is singing will try to “fix you”.  I don’t have much to write about these lyrics but I just like how they sound every time I listen to them and if you haven’t heard this song or haven’t listened to it in a while turn it on right now and enjoy.