02-06-19
Sometimes it’s easiest to shut ourselves off from everyone and everything. Isolating ourselves from the outside world allows us some modicum of control—when we’re feeling dejected and distraught, control of anything is a huge win.
It’s necessary to take time for yourself and to have your own space, something that you can hold on to. But when these safe havens become our only emotional destination, we miss out on the actual reason for existing, and in my humble opinion, one of the main purposes is to participate. Of course, this is easier said than done, and that wherein lies the brunt of the quandary.
St. Vincent sings about the loss of opportunity and the regret she experiences in response. In the introduction of the song, she’s irate towards the world and feels forced to do the usual things, suggesting that she’d rather not have to even deal with the process. This desire is reinforced throughout the song suggesting that all of us are essentially already alone.
Watching St. Vincent perform this song live brings a new dynamic to the telling of the story. Towards the end once she proclaims how her regret is founded in fear of being alone through the lines “I’m afraid of heaven because I can’t stand the heights | I’m afraid of you because I can’t be left behind;” St. Vincent takes a moment to pause and stare straight to the heavens. Without fail she, along with the other artists accompanying her, will always take this pause and stare straight up. What one could see as a nod to the great hereafter I have always seen as a moment of exasperation, especially when compounded with the following lines “Oh well, there’s a red moon rising | the door slammed, and it felt like a cannonball.” The rising moon and it following this momentary pause lead one to believe that she’s gaining the strength to push past her regret. Unfortunately, this is quickly met with her learning that she’s missed her opportunity due to waiting too long.
As we grow hopefully we’re able to take our experiences and lessons with us. Maybe we’ve missed opportunities because we’ve sought comfort in only that which we know. Hopefully the regret in having a loss that particular opportunity can be channeled into informing ourselves how to be open and ready for the next prospect before it’s too late.
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Morning, pry the windows open
Let in what’s so terrifying
Summer is as faded as a lone cicada call
Memories so bright, I gotta squint just to recall
Regret the words I’ve bitten more than the ones I ever said
[Chorus]
Who is the one animal?
All by yourself, all of us
All of us, all of us
[Instrumental Bridge]
[Chorus]
Who is the one animal?
All by yourself, all of us
Who is the one animal?
All by yourself, all of us
[Bridge]
I’m afraid of heaven because I can’t stand the heights
I’m afraid of you because I can’t be left behind
[Verse 2]
Oh well, there’s a red moon rising
The door slammed and it felt like a cannonball
[Chorus]
Who is the one animal?
All by yourself, all of us
Who is the one animal?
All by yourself, all of us
All of us, all of us