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Post by Cindy on Oct 17, 2005 21:13:16 GMT -5
You wanna know what pisses me off. ..It is reading comments by folks that criticize the song Trees for being lyrically simplistic.
So, this thread is my attempt to prove the folly of those comments.
Here is the deal: I believe Trees is metaphorical and that there is soooo much more happening in subtext than one supposes on first listen. I am putting on my English Lit graduate studies cap and I would like to present as three possible interpretations what Trees is really all about.
1) It reflects the pastoral myth--an Arcadian desire to leave the sterile concrete city for a more natural, idyllic suburban environment and in the process find true love.
2) It is a romantic manifesto--- the desire to throw off the artifical, mechanical world for a return to the beauty and art of nature.
3) It is a sexual metaphor full of yonic and phallic imagery...replete with desire for coupling. The interpretation here hinges on the verdant forests as feminine fertility and the trees and heights as the masculine ideal. The concepts of building dreams, knots tied tight, and giving the answer relate to a sexual denoument.
Ok. Now this should start the discussion off. I want to hear from others.
And remember this is interpretation of a form of art....there really is no RIGHT or WRONG answer.
So who's gonna walk this plank with me and offer up their ideas?
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wendyc122
18 and over
SAAA at CBGB's on 2/14/06
Posts: 813
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Post by wendyc122 on Oct 17, 2005 21:27:21 GMT -5
There's an interview with Marty's brother "Stiv00" (pronounced Stiv Balls ... I assume his name is really Steve), dated October 4, over at Leperpop, where you'll find this: LP: Compare and contrast your singing style with Marty's. SC: Marty’s style lends itself to more of a deconstruction approach. Take “Trees,” for instance. While on the surface it may seem to be a light love serenade, it really is a dark song about how the mind will color the world to satisfy one’s true desires. Hence the seemingly incongruous line, “it’s a combination for disaster” manifests the reality that his subconscious mind is simply missing the forest for the trees, and that the girl is really Fred Willard. My style, on the other hand, is more, “Wang, dang, sweet poon-tang.” Is he serious? Who knows? But anyway, the guys over at Leperpop are hilarious, and they have a complete commentary on every episode of Rockstar. Really, it's laugh-out-loud funny (especially when they talk about JD's "pogo dance"). leperpop.blogspot.com/ |
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Post by backformore on Oct 17, 2005 21:32:48 GMT -5
He said he wrote it to be about getting back what they had, so the first choice suits that.
I see it as just getting away from the stress of everyday life to a place where it could be just
them together trying to get back to the feelings they had in the beginning of the relationship,
before all the problems/fights, etc.
Number three is interesting! Not sure what denoument means, but it sounds pretty hot!
Sorry I am not more philosophical. I do think he has some hidden meanings in there.
But basically, I think that is what he is saying.
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Post by backformore on Oct 17, 2005 21:36:14 GMT -5
There's an interview with Marty's brother "Stiv00" (pronounced Stiv Balls ... I assume his name is really Steve), dated October 4, over at Leperpop, where you'll find this: LP: Compare and contrast your singing style with Marty's. SC: Marty’s style lends itself to more of a deconstruction approach. Take “Trees,” for instance. While on the surface it may seem to be a light love serenade, it really is a dark song about how the mind will color the world to satisfy one’s true desires. Hence the seemingly incongruous line, “it’s a combination for disaster” manifests the reality that his subconscious mind is simply missing the forest for the trees, and that the girl is really Fred Willard. That's interesting, because I was just listening to the song (had to do my research lol) and that line has always thrown me. Now it makes sense. Thanks for bringing that here. |
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chanvre
18 and over
The Dreamer of Dreams
Some things never change.
Posts: 963
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Post by chanvre on Oct 17, 2005 22:38:35 GMT -5
This is a really interesting thread, Cindy! I've always tended to follow along the lines of your interpretation #2, actually. But with a dash of an evil fairytale thrown in.
I'm sure that only makes sense in MY head, ha.
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kool
18 and over
Posts: 396
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Post by kool on Oct 17, 2005 23:52:47 GMT -5
) It reflects the pastoral myth--an Arcadian desire to leave the sterile concrete city for a more natural, idyllic suburban environment and in the process find true love.
2) It is a romantic manifesto--- the desire to throw off the artifical, mechanical world for a return to the beauty and art of nature.
3) It is a sexual metaphor full of yonic and phallic imagery...replete with desire for coupling. The interpretation here hinges on the verdant forests as feminine fertility and the trees and heights as the masculine ideal. The concepts of building dreams, knots tied tight, and giving the answer relate to a sexual denoument.
You know, I tend to think it has a bit of all three - if he truly was wanting her back as much as it sounded like he did, all three of the above were probably involved in his psyke while writing this song; The desire to get away from outside influences to focus on one another, a chance to respark (sorry, poor choice of words when discussing trees!) romance, & that would naturally lead up to expressing the intimate relationship that would exist if they could reunite.
It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Now I will have to go listen to the song again with a slightly different perspective!
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Post by steph0313 on Oct 18, 2005 8:29:43 GMT -5
I like this topic.
I have been thinking about it...and my mind tends to think of the lyrics actually representing a very innocent and child like, look at love and getting back the girl.
Lets not deal with the real world...lets be kids and go up in the trees and the sky and escape our grown up reality.....and by doing this we know it's a combination for disaster, because the real world is waiting for us, but just for now, just for this moment, "It'll be you and me"
I don't think it's simplistic, I think it's imagery, which is what every artist is trying to create.
Just my thoughts.
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Post by hotrox on Oct 18, 2005 8:46:14 GMT -5
You COULD look at it as Marty saying, "Let's quit 'playing house,' (as in young children play in a treehouse) and either get on with life and take it a step further, or we must move on." "Playing house" with the one you love can get old and be a combination for disaster. I believe Marty is ready to move on! Go for it Marty!
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Post by lesley on Oct 18, 2005 9:09:00 GMT -5
Great topic, Cindy. It pisses me off too because I think the people that jump up and down and shout the loudest about their criticism haven't ever really thought about how all of the lyrics work together. Superficially, Trees may appear simplistic, but I tell ya, sometimes it's those songs that offer the deepest spaces for thought and interpretation. I think the song is so much more than a simple love ditty.
I actually lean toward taking portions of his brother's interpretation fairly seriously...except for the Fred Willard part, hehe.
SC: Marty’s style lends itself to more of a deconstruction approach. Take “Trees,” for instance. While on the surface it may seem to be a light love serenade, it really is a dark song about how the mind will color the world to satisfy one’s true desires. Hence the seemingly incongruous line, “it’s a combination for disaster” manifests the reality that his subconscious mind is simply missing the forest for the trees, and that the girl is really Fred Willard.
When I thought about the lyrics, I tended to believe this was a man in love, but also a man who knew -- deep down -- that despite the love, the relationship was and would always be difficult. Some part of him is willing to deal with that difficulty ("I've got it all worked out in my head") because he still loves her . Another part of him - perhaps mostly a subconcious part of him - ultimately thinks it probably can't ever work out ("it's a combination for disaster").
But even knowing it probably can't work out, he's still got such feelings for her that he can't give up on the idea that there is something...whether romantic or not...but something still pretty deep and meaningful there for them together in this life ("I know there's more for us in this life"). So the question is - "where do we go from here?"
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cimee
18 and over
Posts: 191
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Post by cimee on Oct 18, 2005 9:20:32 GMT -5
You shouldn't let what others think upset you. As long as you like it ,go for it. Not everyone likes the same songs, even if they are all in the same Genre. That is what makes LH music attractive to many different age groups and styles. I could listen to "Trees" maybe once a day and that's it. I get the meaning you are after, I just prefer other LH music more. Also, especially when it gets Radio play, WE know the story behind the song but most people will not and if you are letting this upset you now, you are going to be miserable when it goes to air, as there will be many that love it but also just as many that will Bash the Hell out of it. Enjoy the Lyrics, interpret them to give personal meaning to you and don't let other's opinions cloud your enjoyment.  |
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Tooks
18 and over
Pull My Trigger
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Tooks on Oct 18, 2005 10:24:55 GMT -5
What a great idea! Okay...here's my take (as a fellow Eng Grad student). "Trees" is basically the story about a man who, for better or worse, stubbornly refuses to let go of a woman who is slipping away. What's interesting is that it's "trees", not "treehouse"...trees are less stable, they're subject to the wind implying that even if this couple remains in a relationship with one another it won't be stable. There's also the fact that "the forest will give us the answer"...this could be an implication that this man doesn't really wish to take a proactive approach in the act of resurrecting/disintegrating of the relationship himself - he's simply going to hope, dream, and plead, but leave the actual act of creating the relationships destiny to fate. In other word he wants to stay in the relationship, but may not change who he is to do it. That's all I've got for now, but I reserve the right to return.  |
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chanvre
18 and over
The Dreamer of Dreams
Some things never change.
Posts: 963
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Post by chanvre on Oct 18, 2005 10:29:55 GMT -5
Oooh, I love this thread so much! Reading everyone's analysis is fascinating. PS. Well said, tookskye!
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Post by Cindy on Oct 19, 2005 16:36:39 GMT -5
FYI I had a couple of people privately contact me wanting to get in on this "out there" discussion, but were a bit shy about going on the record of being such a lit nerd. (LOL! I admit it. I am a lit nerd!)
Here are a couple of the best random thoughts:
Trees is about the desire to return to a paradise-like Edenic state. This is like a pastoral myth, but with more of an Adam and Eve couplehood to it. Something has corrupted the perfect love and the song is a desire about getting that back.
Or that Trees is really cynical. It objectifies the nature aspects in an attempt to show how society and civilization destroys the things that are pure in life, like nature and love.
These are pretty interesting additions I think and worthy of getting tossed into the mix too.
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Post by brightside on Oct 19, 2005 18:39:14 GMT -5
The trees reference made more sense to me when I found out it was written when he was leaving NYC, like leaving the concrete for a more suburban life. Also--maybe it reflects that he was wanting things to be more simple in his life if there had been a lot of conflict and pain--that's when you want to retreat into comfort. Like when I am paying bills, I fantasize about winning the lottery and not having financial struggles any more. I also have been at times wanting to resign from the "grown-up world" and be a child again. in the trees, maybe.
Whatever he did mean, I hope he has found the happiness he wanted in that song.
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Post by Stiletto on Oct 19, 2005 21:32:08 GMT -5
I like all the interpretations presented...I'm not going to elaborate on what I think the song means...... I think what really matters is what the song means to YOU as an individual.......the interpretations will differ based on your own life experiences..... And one other thing...... The song is overly simplistic......and anybody in their right mind would see the beauty in that....... If you criticize a song like Trees then you may as well critisize almost 75% of the Beatles library of songs!!!! Who has the guts to call their songs overly simplistic!?....yet they are....just like Trees is..... I mean come on people......I Wanna Hold Your Hand is a damn classic........and way overly simplistic......... As far as I'm concerned there's a shortage of simplistic songs......   |
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franny2
18 and over
I can't hide from what's inside . . .
Posts: 894
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Post by franny2 on Oct 19, 2005 23:04:50 GMT -5
I thought about this one for a few days before responding, so I could say something other than, "Gawrsh, that shore is some mahty fahn writin' Miss Cindy" and "um......." and found that my thoughts run in exactly the same direction as Stiletto's - I can only relate it to my own experience . . . ;)up in the trees...up in the sky...in a world we rule together I knew this guy once - the chemistry was intense - felt him from across the room before I even knew his name. We got together, and when I was with him I felt on top of the world. . . everything else just fell away . . . ;)It's a combination for disaster The higher you fly, the harder you fall, and we crashed and burned a few times . . . decided to end it . . . met again at a party . . . got together again in spite of ourselves. . . . of course we crashed again . . . ;)We got one shot. So, where do we go from here? After a few more crash-burns, decided we weren't headed in the same direction in life and went our separate ways . . . love intact. In Marty's case though? He made his own choice.... ;)I have got it all worked out, In my head, Here's how it's got to be ;)It will be you and me up in the trees, And the forest will give us the answer ;)And I know there's more for us in this life And that's what it means to me! Been up in the trees a few times since then, but the last man i went there with . . . I did the Marty thing . . . went back and married him!  |
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Post by brightside on Oct 20, 2005 11:50:57 GMT -5
About Beatles songs--one of my all-time favorite songs of theirs is "Why Don't We Do It in the Road." VERY simplistic, but if I am in a bad mood, it is sure to get me smiling every time. So simplistic songs can alter a mood, and Trees does that. Like on Friday nights, I don't want to see/hear something deep or thought-provoking; I want to be simply entertained in a relaxing way after a long, hard, thought-drenched week.
Another plus--if it is playing and a child is around, you don't have to panic about profanity, sex, or drug references. G-rated. I like it.
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Post by gaia on Oct 21, 2005 9:48:16 GMT -5
Well said brightside...yes, things like love and relationships don't have to be profound all the time. Sometimes, it's better not to overthink it. Some days, I don't want to be mentally challenged by thought provoking lyrics, I just want to be entertained by a simple ditty (nothing derogatory about that).
I like Trees because it's hum-mable and catchy and though it's about someone asking for a 2nd chance presumably cos they've broken up, the tune is happy and makes me feel happy.
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wendyc122
18 and over
SAAA at CBGB's on 2/14/06
Posts: 813
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Post by wendyc122 on Oct 21, 2005 13:29:46 GMT -5
"She Loves You ... Yeah, Yeah, Yeah"
'Nuff said.
Marty is no dummy. He's very introspective and has written plenty of fine lyrics. "Trees" is more complex than it appears on the surface. Or maybe it isn't. That's what makes it such a fun song!
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ameemc
18 and over
It will be you and me up in the trees
Posts: 97
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Post by ameemc on Oct 22, 2005 13:19:34 GMT -5
I believe the song is about getting back to the 'simplicity' of being in love.. back to the basics of the relationship he is struggling to save..
I think of the old Playground rhyme "Marty and XXXX, sitting in a TREE, "K"- "I"-"S"-"S"-"I"-"N"-"G"..... perhaps thats where the imagery started for Trees... 'the forest will give us the answers'... the end of the the rhyme is "first comes love, than comes marriage.. blah blah blah.." you get the picture... those are the 'answers'... maybe he is trying to remind her where it all started out, those first sparks of love that give everyone the 'tingles' are so basic... sounds like he is begging her to remember where it all started and what they originally wanted...
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