“Mirrors” has been described as being about “finding solace in another person.” It has been described as “nakedly emotional,” displaying “a gushing, open heart.” It has also been criticized as being lyrically obvious and shallow. But I think the concept of this song is sharp. “Finding solace in another person” does not quite do justice to what JT is trying to say. “Mirrors” is a middle finger at the usual associations made with the word “mirror.” Of vanity, of the mythical origin of the word “narcissistic.” It’s about a person who only sees himself as the person he loves sees him, or how he thinks and hopes they see him. He’s always imagining how he looks to that other person, how he’s measuring up in their eyes. Everything he does is for them. “I couldn’t get any bigger with anyone else beside me.” There is an ego involved, but the ego is not driven by itself, it’s driven by someone else. Because sorry, self, but love is the best motivator of self-improvement.
yes.
But without you it just doesn’t feel right
I love many things about this song. Namely, the tempo, which is always slightly slower than I remember it being, but which I think accurately captures the tired exasperation of the narrator. Also, the backup singers, who often forget to come in, and then come in late, blurting out the tail ends of their harmonies, which actually fits in pretty well with the overall atmosphere of the song (and is any Dylan recording “perfect,” anyway?) The song is about drugs and shady business and “adult entertainment,” but at the center is, as usual, love, or at least desire. I couldn’t tell her what my private thoughts were, but she had some way of finding them out.
It’s also surprising to me that something that is really mostly two major chords — C and F — can be so, well, upsetting. But that is Bob.
(Source: Spotify)
No more of this
These kind of sum up today for me! Especially the last one.
Photos by Joeri Bosma (via likeafieldmouse, via amandajay793)
Until now I dealt in fear
The tales they tell of men
Sorry I am really into live musical performances unearthed on YouTube these days.
What’s her name?
I can’t tell ya
Awww
Also some really good dance moves in this one, including a half-split. RIP.
But that was bloody yesterday
Ain’t got you…or a D string
Sad times we live in, people. Sad times.
My mom painted a portrait of my dog for my birthday. :D :D :D
The towel-over-the-shoulder steez cannot be matched
Count the ways
