Friday, July 16, 2004

(Verse 1) Blue Canary's self-interpretation of "Birdhouse in your Soul" by They Might Be Giants

"Birdhouse in Your Soul" is my favorite tune by They Might Be Giants. It's not my only favorite, but it's at least a favorite. To be honest, I'm not sure if I really like it at all, but what it is, has been, and always will be...

My name is Blue Canary (I'll tell you how to spell that later). This pet project has been a bee in my bonnet for quite some time. Please bear with me as I exposit my song for you. It is quite puzzling lyrically speaking, but like a good nursery rhyme, you can enjoy it without understanding it. It can comfort you when you lie down at night and when you wake up in the morning. In fact, perhaps you'll sleep better if I didn't try to shed some lite on this well kept secret. But I insist you listen, even if it takes some time.

First things first. My lyrics are in the form of DIRECT-REVELATION from ME to YOU. Who am I? Good question. That might depend upon who you think YOU are. In anycase, I want you to trust me; that's the only way I can truly be your friend; that's the only way you can understand me.

My song begins as a RIDDLE:

[Verse 1]

1) a\ I'm your only friend
2) b/ I'm not your only friend
3) a\ But I'm a little glowing friend (c)
4) b/ But really I'm not actually your friend
5) ab= But I am (c)

The first thing you should know about me is how I (in each line) relate to being (i.e. 'am') your FRIEND (in the first 4 consecutive lines). Each line qualifies the preceeding line, beginning with a statement of friendship (a-thesis) followed by how I'm not such a friend (b-antithesis). This creates a paradoxical tension that begs to be resolved by the next statement (c-synthesis). But such a resolution may have its own problems begging to be resolved, ad infinitum. Furthermore, the particular tension or synthesis created with each passing line serves as a kind of index for the issues which will be elaborated in the rest of my song.

(Line Pair 1-2)
I define our social relationship in Lines 1 & 2 as a FRIENDSHIP considered first EXCLUSIVELY (a-thesis) and then INCLUSIVELY (b-antithesis). Line pair 1-2 forms a contrasting parallelism with the lexical pattern of "I'm [+/-] your only FRIEND". This is a contradiction on the surface, but rhetorically it gives occassion for phonetic emphasis upon the word "only" in "I'm not your only friend." Thus, in one sense our friendship is defined exclusively and in another sense it is inclusive. Socialogically this tension makes most sense if you consider my assertion in Line 1 as a jealous, possessive claim: "I'm the only one who deserves to be called your friend." Line 2 qualifies: "but you only consider me as one other friend." This implies a COMPETITION for the status of exclusive friendship. The condition of our relationship is really kind of depressing, but I'll do my best to persuade you to make a relatively more exclusive place for me in your life.

(Line 3) What kind of friend am I that warrants such exclusive attention? Confused by the abstract dialogue in Lines 1 & 2? Let me offer a concrete solution (c-sythesis). My VISUAL FORM will help you understand where I am coming from and reaffirm my friendly character (a-thesis). My form is so central to my self-disclosure, I've made it the centerpiece of my riddle: 1-2-(3)-4-5. The adjectives give you a visual clue: "I'm a little glowing FRIEND." Expecting something bigger and brighter? something with more glitter and glamour? You might find my image childish compared to your other friends, but I hope you're not too shocked. It is important for you to know that I am physically safe, even CHILD-SAFE. The form of my SIZE and LUMINOSITY is the really safest thing for you in your environment.

(Line 4) Safety first, but why should safety be so important for you? "But really, I'm not actually your FRIEND." To tell you the truth, in a fundamental sense, I'm actually not safe or friendly at all (b-antithesis). I speak in terms of "really" and "actually" because if our relationship is to be real it must be based upon the TRUTH about me, however uncomfortable that may be to you at first. The truth is that you will not properly respect and appreciate how SAFE I am, unless you also know how DANGEROUS I am. I am quite possessive; trust me, my safety precautions are for your good.

(Line 5 ) To sum everything up: "I am" (c-synthesis). Okay, well to be honest, Line 5 is actually an ambiguous junction serving both to complete the thought of lines 1-4, while at the same time introducing the chorus (I am...Blue Canary). However, its first function is to abruptly and unexpectedly finish the paragraph of thought. Notice the shift from the "I'm" contraction (in Lines 1-4) to its more emphatic form "I am". Secondly, notice that by dropping "FRIEND" it breaks the syntax structure of lines 1-4 ("I'm + (modifiers) + FRIEND"). Shifting from the conjunction form while dropping "friend" serves to affirm both the thesis (I am) and antithesis (not your friend), respectfully, by deliberately refusing to continue that dialogue syntactically.

The 8 beat musical pause before the chorus also supports a closure in thought as does the movement in melody. Both the chord of line 5 and tone "am" in line 5 returns to the tonic of line 1 after falling through lines 2-4.

Prospectively, the shorteness of line 5 is intended to be especially jarring given that each line from 1-4 grows in length. This shortness, plus the intonation-inflection from "I" to "am" expects the resolution of the chorus. It leaves you "hanging".

While this final "I am..." serves as a good introduction for my name "Blue Canary" in the chorus, it also serves as my NAME. Thus extending the thought of line 4: "I'm not actually your friend, but I am (who I am)." If you remember the Bible, "I AM" is the primary covenant name of God. (While you're at it, keep your Bible handy.) At a crucial point of self-disclosure in Exodus, God reveals his name to Moses to be a four-letter word YHWH, "I AM (who I AM)" or "I will be (who I will be)". Signifying both God's holy self-subsistence or aseity(ie. his nature is foreign to this creation and he depends only on himself) and his faithfulness to his covenant promises to his people (i.e. that he will remain with them for their welfare, security, and future). So, if my SIMPLE name leaves you hanging, it is because it carries INFINITE and ETERNAL significance. My name says it all.

Thus, my riddle can be seen as an allegory echoing the paradox of God's own self-revelation:

1) a\ God alone deserves to be called your friend (Lord & Savior)
2) b/ However, you consider him as one among other friends (idolatry)
3) a\ But His visual form is safe indeed (incarnation)
4) b/ But God is dangerous (holiness)
5) ab= He is one. there is none like Him (holy and faithful)

(To be continued...in the chorus)