Saturday 13 February 2010

Still Baffled, with Fun Links Added

When I've occasionally watched Olympic opening ceremonies, I've been grateful for commentary that attempts to explain otherwise baffling symbols, songs, choreography, and whatnot.

Who knew I'd need such commentary for games being held in Canada?

Wasn't that one of the weirdest experiences you've ever had? I wasn't going to watch and in fact watched not much -- I hadda keep leaving the room out of embarrassment, bewilderment, or to get another drink.

First, who the hell was that broad auditioning for 'American Idol' with the Canadian national anthem? I muted it, but that wasn't enough. Her squirming was driving me batshit insane.

I left the room. Got another drink.

And would it have been too much to expect that CTV provide English translation for that terribly obscure language -- French?

I could go on. But I'll spare you.

Just two more things. Well, two and a half.

Joni wasn't available to sing her own song? Nobody could find a recording of her singing it?

And while I love k.d. laing and she did a terrific job, did anyone read the lyrics before choosing her number?

For that matter, did anyone read the lyrics to 'Both Sides Now'?

Here's my last question: What the FUCK?

For your perusal -- and that of the ijits who choose the music -- here are said lyrics.

'Hallelujah'

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah

'Both Sides Now'

Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere, i've looked at cloud that way.
But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone.
So many things i would have done but clouds got in my way.

I've looked at clouds from both sides now,
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions i recall.
I really don't know clouds at all.

Moons and junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real; i've looked at love that way.
But now it's just another show. you leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away.

I've looked at love from both sides now,
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions i recall.
I really don't know love at all.

Tears and fears and feeling proud to say "i love you" right out loud,
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds, i've looked at life that way.
But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, they say
I've changed.
Something's lost but something's gained in living every day.

I've looked at life from both sides now,
From win and lose, and still somehow
It's life's illusions i recall.
I really don't know life at all.

ADDED: Salon snerks. Fun.

MORE: Heather Mallick enlightens the Brits.

A sample:
For Canadians, the opening ceremonies in Vancouver on Friday were like watching your dad get drunk at a party. You love the guy, but my God, he isn't going to dance. In front of everyone. Look, he's taking off his jacket. As I live and die, what is he wearing? Awww, I love him. And so on.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

That was recording of Joni Mitchell -- a much more recent recording of her singing Both Sides Now.

fern hill said...

It was? Wow. It sure didn't sound like her.

Or, I'd had waaay too many drinks by then.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, my take on the whole thing... before I gave up and went to bed, was not much better..
http://ruralcanadian.blogspot.com/2010/02/not-good-start.html

Mandos said...

The NBC livebloggers loved the show.

I think they must have done their market research, then.

Anonymous said...

I wasn't paying attention for most of it, but I -did- catch the fiddlers and the celtic dancers. THAT was good.

RossK said...

fh--

Perhaps you need a wee bit of the antihypeheapeticalicious antidote.

And if that doesn't work you can always try they hair of the rabid dog that keeps biting all of us.

Or some such thing.

.

WILLY said...

My first thought when I saw the large lighted Polar Bear and the breaking up of the ice was that they were doing a tribute to Global Warming. I was expecting to see a Canadian ice breaker and oil rigs rising up from the floor. But apparently that was not the intended message.

Liked the guy running through the wheat, though and the poet with the beer commercial lines.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Weird comments. I absolutely loved the ceremonies. Really classy, innovative, entertaining. I was very impressed.

the regina mom said...

I was impressed by the ceremony, too, most especially the slam poet, Shane Koyczan, of Tons of Fun University. I also loved the acrobatics and the dancing and Sarah McLaughlin (sp?) but thought Bryan Adams and Nellie Furtada were lipsyncing. And I most definitely wanted to put a sock in the mouths of Brian Williams and Lloyd Robertson. Don't have cable and didn't want to watch online...no couch in office!

Beijing York said...

I'm on Team Fern on this one. I tried to picture what it looked like from the outside world and I concluded, a confusing mess. So much seemed inexplicable from that perspective. As a Canadian I sort of get the time line they created from North (time immemorial) to East to West and the highlighting of iconic geographic features but those floating cutouts (polar bear, canoe) seemed random. Maybe like fern, I left the room too often for a drink :-)

Also, I would never guess Canada was an officially bilingual, multi-cultural country. And what a shame that the production couldn't find time to actually focus on some incredible Aboriginal dancers like the jingle dress and hoop dances.

Inappropriate song use also annoys me. The only spiritual thing about "Halleluja" is Cohen's praise for mutual orgasms. And isn't "Both Sides Now" about being dumped by your lover?

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