Fugitive
Energetic, catchy, melodic, danceable, subtle, brave, mournful, sad, affecting. All these I find to be suitable words to describe my definite favorite song from the Pet Shop Boys' new release(s), Fundamental (the Boys' ninth proper album) /Fundamentalism (an accompanying record containing mostly dance mixes).Although the lyrics are slightly vague, there is enough information within the song and the context it was placed in to make it clear that "Fugitive" is about terrorism. More precisely, it is a speculative view of the motivations, thoughts and feelings of a suicide terrorist. But what makes it really special is what the Pet Shop Boys make of it: a moving tale of determination, power, sorrow, and ultimately, hope set to a relentless electro beat (courtesy of 'it' producer Richard X) and a catchy melody. This is the reason why I (like many others) consider the Pet Shop Boys to be unique, because no other act has been able to consistently make dance-pop this catchy and affecting at the same time. And "Fugitive" also serves as a good example of why the lazy categorization of the Pet Shop Boys as ironists is mostly wrong; because there really is nothing ironic or cynical about this fantastic track. Buy Fundamental/Fundamentalism here. Read an excellent, extensive review here.
posted by daavid at 12:38 AM
13 Comments:
This has really grown on me, i.e., I was wrong :)
oh my goodness!
they are jedi knights!!!
woot!
Brittle, I think you were right in pointing out that the production isn't that good, but everything else is!
I'm listening to it as I'm writing this. I do not get the terrorism thing. But I'm "lyrics-anal" in general...so whatever. Maybe the plane noises in the intro?:-))
But I do agree that this is danceable!!
And I like it a lot (and your post, too)...even though it does not sound like Russian or punk...or anything like that.
Ooops...so we are "connected" to this site. Hello there. Pet Shop Boys? I'll check out the album. What's this russian punk reference?
So yes, NGC4038, it's the plane noises in the intro AND the end of the song. Also the fact that it is the opening track of "Fundamentalism". And the lyrics are subtle and maybe vague enough to be interpreted differently in another context, but not this one. Anyway here they are:
Now is the time of our lives
but it won't last long
we're strong
and in spite of the fight
you sing this song
It's always a new day in heaven
there's always a new way to heaven
You, my brother
I'm really gonna miss you
You, my brother
You're going to take me with you
You, my brother
Where do we stand
in this land
we're invisible now
clean and prepared
to be led into visible
I know that it won't be that long
until the hour
free and released
from the world
it feels like power
You, my brother
I'm really gonna miss you
You, my brother
You're going to take me with you
i dunno, daavid
in a way, i feel silly about analyzing PSB lyrics...since they were not made for that...but let's try:
as you said in your post: "More precisely, it is a speculative view of the motivations, thoughts and feelings of a suicide terrorist." I'm not claiming it isn't a possible interpretation of the text but one can approach it from a different context, too...such as: The Attack on Artistic and Intellectual Freedom. Don't laugh!:-) What I mean is:
It seems like there is a visible and invisible culture out there. Cultural practices and materials emerge not solely in the visible world, but also in the social, temporal, and theoretical relations that define the invisible. In this way, culture is fugitive and is constantly renegotiated.
("Where do we stand
in this land
we're invisible now
clean and prepared
to be led into visible")
And then the last verse:
"You, my brother
You're going to take me with you"
Brother = the listener of the song. As you you listen to it...you "acknowledge" it and make it visible culturewise.
Oh dear, I haven't bullshit this much since my undergrad.
This was fun:-)
I love this song!
Hey Daavid,
nice new post! I enjoyed reading it and "listening" to it.
Oh, Loonatiqa...I love your comment! I think you just brought the PSB lyrics to a canonical text level. :-)
I'm impressed Loon. I like your interpretation, but I feel you "cheated" a little bit in the sense that you deliberately chose the parts 'fit' your theory. Still, very good!
BTW what do you mean by:
i feel silly about analyzing PSB lyrics...since they were not made for that...?
I hope you're not implying the PSB lyrics aren't worth analyzing. :)
Glad you liked it Fischer. I hope you visit regularly :)
now i feel like being under pressure:-)
Oh no, please don't, visit whenever you want :)
WELL,now!----what will you think of ME,I wonder??
I'm 58--but--being "Gemini"--that is totally irrelevant!
I've loved the "PSB" guys and their songs all along--but I have to tell you--"Fundamental"--I cannot leave alone!--it is played most days as it is whilst writing this to you now.
I'm not going to be overly analytical in that you have all discussed your various points of view already--but--to be a bit simplistic about a truly wonderful Album---I L-O-V-E it and there is always a message for however each of us individually wishes to interpret it.
How can it matter too much when just absorbing every beat of the Dance-tracks to the emotional stirrings of something like "Numb" takes over??--and--yes--as for "Fugitive"--as well as "Minimal" and "Integral"---well--where does the sheer enjoyment end and yet,it can serve us with thought-provoking stuff all at the same time---
YUP---we mature ones do sensuality/intensity of thought and feeling in every medium best!!!
Warm wishes to you all there--and hope you didn't mind my intrusion!--they are telling me something right this second--yes--it is all--"Psychological"---Love it!!
Karen----- xxx--be happy---xxx
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