Candlelight

This third song on Forget And Not Slow Down could, on first glance, be seen as a notable departure from the tone of the previous two songs, not to mention the album as a whole.  But after listening to the song again, I've realized that there are a few ways we can look at it.  I should warn you, however, that I may end up being a bit oversentimental and idealistic here, even more than usual.  Enter if you dare...

"To know her is to love her.
I'm going undercover,
To catch a glimpse,
But not get caught.

But to see her,
Could be worse,
If I don't get my head straight first.
On second thought I guess I'll not."

One way to look at this song is as an extension of the first two.  Obviously the lead singer has been going through some rough stuff, presumably with a special girl who is no longer a part of his life.  The trouble is that he doesn't want to rescind his feelings.  This collapse of the relational bond is, I believe, in spite of his protestations.  He did not bring this upon himself.  He's trying to forget and not slow down out of necessity, not by choice.  He is presciently aware that he had himself a catch.  He was wild about this individual and doesn't exactly want to toss it out.  He wants to experience the beauty and joy once more, but only if his head is right.  He knows that it's never going to happen longterm, as much as he may want it to.  Ultimately he decides against another sighting, lest he abandon all the progress he made in moving on in life.

This, of course, brings me to my first existential quandry.  Is it better to break things off completely, just like ripping off a bandage, or should it be a gradual dissipation?  What is the best way so as to minimize the hurt of the associated parties?  If seeing someone is going to reignite strong feelings, whether they be of love or hatred or something in between, perhaps it's best to avoid the situation.  But how silly is it to amend our lives in accordance with the daily walkabouts of others?  That's kind of tough for me, mostly because those lyrics sound so pained.  This is a guy who thought that he had it all figured out, just like so many of us who make plans and feel prepared, only to witness them all go awry.  He's been singing about getting back on the horse and riding off on a new trail, but there're branches that lead right back to where he came from.  Is it some form of comfort?  Or is it something that we subconsciously do because we still have genuine feelings?

At the end, the singer made a decision to not get involved again.  He thought of the memories, both the good times, especially present in this song, and the not so good ones.  But then there's another way to look at things...

"She's almost brighter than the sun,
Seems to me to be unfair
When you consider everyone
Who pales when they compare

Can't hold a candle to her
Cause all the moths get in the way.
And they'll begin to chew her
Entire attire until it frays.

For she outshines anyone
Who may dare to bask in the same candlelight.

She's like an ancient artifact
Something you're lucky to have found.
She'll pinch the nerves in all the necks
As she turns those heads around."

Here's the romantic everpresent in all of us (and hopefully not just me).  Wouldn't it be awesome to write a letter to our future partner?  It would be full of joy and positivity.  We'd be writing about how lucky we are to have finally found the one who's worth living for.  We fill gaps.  We make each other happy and we're happy to serve.  It could go on and on.  It should go on and on.  There are so many things to say to that one, the "one," that a simple letter would never suffice.  But we could at least try.  It'd be amazing.  Once we meet that one who fulfills all the prophecies set forth in the letter, we will know. 

That's what the singer could have been doing here.  He was burned in his previous relationship, which was the impetus for this entire album that I'm reviewing.  Once he came to grips with the sobering truth that he was wrong all along, he may have reassessed his priorities and gone back to the drawing board.  After a few moments of sketching, he came back with something wholly new and wonderful.  He's had experiences, chosen to learn from them, and reemerged more sure of his future partner than ever before. 

Stay tuned for more!