This post is my entry to the @cinetv Contest
I have previously talked about how my favorite film of all time is Synecdoche, New York. In that post, I talked about how even the soundtrack of that film is perfect. Stating that "even the soundtrack of the movie was written by Charlie Kaufman".
The current @cinetv contest thankfully gave me an excuse to talk about two of the songs in that soundtrack. I know it is supposed to be one, but I spent the last hour trying to choose and couldn't. Also, I know I won't get another chance to talk about these two songs. They also complete each other. So, here are the two songs in order.
Little Person - Deanna Storey
Music by Jon Brion and lyrics by Charlie Kaufman himself.
I don't know if there is a person who won't relate it to this song, at least at some point in their life. The structure of the song is simple; a piano in the background with a smoky vocal by Deanna Storey that hits me right in the heart.
The song speaks to that feeling of insignificance, loneliness, and longing.
I'm just a little person
One person in a sea
Of many little people
Who are not aware of me
I do my little job
And live my little life
Eat my little meals
Miss my little kid and wife
This part speaks to both the insignificance some feel in their daily life surrounded by many but yet feel insignificant in the greatest scheme of all. You do your job, you live your life just like all who are not really aware of you as a whole person (That theme in specific will be covered in the second song).
In the movie, the main character, Caden, has his wife travel with his daughter and he is unable to see either. But, I think that part also speaks to anyone who we loved that is no longer around.
And somewhere, maybe someday
Maybe somewhere far away
I'll find a second little person
Who will look at me and say
"I know you
You're the one I've waited for
Let's have some fun"
Here is where the song drifts toward the loneliness and longing part. It's the process of seeking someone who sees the value in us as a whole person. Someone who could relate to us and actually celebrate our flaws rather than overlooking them in the best-case scenario. You love that person and cherish them just like they do you.
Life is precious every minute
And more precious with you in it
So let's have some fun
We'll take a road trip way out west
You're the one, I like the best
I'm glad I've found you
Like hangin' 'round you
You're the one I like the best
Here is a simple talk about the life you'd be living with that person. Taking trips and doing all different things together. You love being with that person all the time and you feel the same back.
Somewhere, maybe someday
Maybe somewhere far away
Somewhere, maybe someday
Maybe somewhere far away
Somewhere, maybe someday
Maybe somewhere far away
I'll meet a second little person
And we'll go out and play
This is the part of life that is the hardest sometimes. Our relationships with most, if not all people don't really last. You miss one person one time then you miss the next person and it's on and on. The film is about life and this song just complements that.
Song For Caden - Deanna Storey
Music by Jon Brion and lyrics by Charlie Kaufman as well.
I'm singing this song
But it's about you
Whoever else is listening
It's only about you
See there's just one story
And everyone's the star
And it goes like this
No one will ever love you
For everything you are
This is really the story about all of us as people, isn't it? The song can apply to everyone.
My favorite is the last one. "No one will ever love you for everything you are". It's such a hard-hitting line from the song. We keep hoping for that person who loves everything about us, but there's no such person.
Even in the happiest relationships, you hear stuff like the other person is amazing for "putting up" with the other person. It's a universal fact and feeling. No one loves anyone for every trait and attribute they possess.
And so you build up layers of deception
And you leave out things to alter the perceptions
Of the ones you love
Who would never love you back
If they knew all about you
Every solitary fact
In every relationship, we highlight the good things about ourselves and attempt to hide the bad things about ourselves for the longest time possible because we know that they simply wouldn't love everything about us.
And the sadness of your life
Is built upon this lie
Of really knowing anyone
Or having them know you
It's the sadness of the world
There's nothing left to do
That's really the saddest part about relationships which leads to the end of relationships, isn't it? We cover parts of ourselves as the opposite person covers parts of themselves. The end product is us not knowing the opposite person and them not knowing us. There's nothing to do after that, either continue this projection of hiding or end the relationship altogether.
And so just go to sleep
Just let the hours pass
Sleep it all away
None of it will last
Soon it's all over
You're under clover
And none of it matters anymore
The song ends on a bitter hope note. The fact that not knowing anyone or having them know should be the expected. It's telling you that it's okay to feel the way you do. It's the absurdist approach of the fact that nothing really matters because life goes on.
In Conclusion
Both these songs tell a story about life in general and our constant chase for happiness and longing for something more. It's a sad fact of life that most stories don't have happy endings and most relationships are temporary upon going through different stages of life.
The songs speak to me profoundly as they're a reminder that everything is temporary. It may sound, but that fact alone is an invitation for you to enjoy the good times you have even more and that there's no "greater happiness" for you to chase all the time.