It's hard to write about
this because I'm not sure why I have liked this so much over the years. It stirs deep feelings every-time I listen to it, The twang of the guitar strings drew me to it initially, then Davies' frail voice with that simple melody, and the backing vocals providing the strings; then this obsession with the sunset over his backyard; and who are Terry and Julie who get mentioned twice, and is the river dangerous that they made it to the other side safe and sound? Long live the mystery!
Yes, always draws a very deep emotional response from me as well. It conveys a comforting kind of melancholia and euphoria combined. Davis is taking a birds eye view of our daily comings and goings - and stepping back from it, with an ode to the joy that a simple city sunset can bring - quite a universal 'Wordsworthian' theme really. The simple arrangement couldn't be more beautiful, it somehow creates a sense of expansion in the soul. Love it!
ReplyDeleteIf I were listing all these in order this would probably go top. Yes you're right, it's a melancholy feeling brought on by that separateness while watching the world pass by, Can you expand on the 'expansion of the soul'?
DeleteSimply stated 'expansion of the soul' means to me just the intense emotional feelings I get from hearing the song - nothing complicated. I guess anything that is moving, touching, elating is what I'd call expanding the soul. Probably 'feeding' the soul may be a more apt term. Its not meant to be interpreted in a particularly religious sense of the word.
DeleteBut also the song in its own way decompresses and expands out. The short introduction with its descending bass line, plateaus out beautifully to the main theme melody played on the lead electric guitar and accompanying acoustic guitar. Main vocals and the all important background harmony vocals then come in, creating such a moving atmosphere. Ray's voice couldn't be more appropriate for the lyrics. This is a real teary one for me, so many diverse feeling and memories arise.