May 8, 2013

  • I find I keep coming back to this one.

    While the last cover of this song I posted took a more sentimental ballad approach (drawing more on the loneliness), I like this one too because it draws more on, and highlights, the self-loathing that's there (and, God knows, I tend to like self-destructive/destructive themes and narratives).

    In spite of, ultimately, being a song about new beginnings and the importance of fostering a new relationship in spite of insecurities and fears, "Dancing in the Dark" works so well because it toes the line between upbeat and dance-y (hinting towards the excitement and anticipation of new beginnings) and fear and doubt (particularly in oneself).

    But here, suddenly, the lines

    I get up in the evening…
         and I ain't got…nothing to say

    sounds so straightforward. As if such a dismal premise almost ought to be expected as a matter of course. Framed by that, the following shout of

         I go to bed – feeling the same way…

    sounds terrifyingly desperate, as if she wants out but has absolutely no idea how. The following

    I ain't nothing but tired…
         man, I'm just tired and bored with myself…

    sound even more biting than the words already seem on the surface. All of this has built so that, by the time we actually get to the forging-a-new-relationship part,

    Hey there, baby…
         I could use just a little help

    sounds almost like an embarrassed question, as if the other person may be your last lifeline.

    Message keeps getting clearer…
         radio on and I'm movin' 'round the place
    I check my look in the mirror -
         wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face!
    Man, I ain't getting no where…
         livin' in a dump like this
    There's something happening somewhere –
         I just know there is

    You can't start a fire…
    You can't start a fire without a spark
    This gun's for hire…
         even if we're just     dancing…in the…dark…

    You sit around getting older –
         there's a joke here, somewhere, and it's on me
    Shake the world off your shoulders –
         c'mon, baby, the laugh's on me…

    …

    …

    …

     

    Ohh-oh, ohh…stay…on the streets of this town…
         and they'll be carving you up alright
    They say you've gotta stay…hungry…
         heyyy, baby, I'm just a-bout starving tonight!
    I'm dying for some action!
         I'm sick of trying…to write this book
    I need a love reaction…
         c'mon, baby, give me just one     look

    You can't start a fire…
         worrying about your…broken heart
    This gun's for hire…
         even if we're just dancing…in the…

    You can't start a fire…
         worrying about your life…falling apart…
    This gun's for hire…
         even if we're just     dancing…in the…dark…

         dancing in the,
         dancing in the,
         dancing in the dark…