03-14-19
Claire Boucher’s third album as Grimes, Visions, was another concerted attack at the pillars of pop, it effectively fueled her longstanding process of burning down the walls between mainstream and underground genres. Bridging abstract sounds such as IDM. Pop, New Jack Swing, Punk and Noise Grimes creates an extravagantly dazzling homage to post-punk. She was able to take the raw independent spirit of bedroom pop and turn it into something much more significant.
We started this week discussing the shame associated with the response’s women receive on the street, and we’re ending it on the same note. Oblivion, arguably the most notable song off of Visions, focuses on street harassment. Grimes said about the song: “I took one of the most shattering experiences of my life,” she said, “and turned it into something I can build a career on and that allows me to travel the world.”
The video produced for this song is its own particular brand of brilliance. The production solutions and the subtle subtext that is latent throughout the entire video sits heavy. Following Boucher, through various hyper-masculine driven situations, she attempts to sing her song, (with absolutely no sign of disclosure to those around her,) to be met by mocks, constant stating and the occasional examples of how quick we are to violate other’s personal space.
It’s easy to listen to Grimes or watch her videos and pass them over. I’m guilty of this, having spent quite a few years avoiding her due to my own poorly constructed biases. A mistake that has ultimately hurt me, especially as her work has continued to receive predominantly positive praise from practically every critic.
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
I never walk about after dark
It’s my point of view
Cause someone could break your neck
Coming up behind you
Always coming and you’d never have a clue
I never looked behind all the time
I will wait forever
Always looking straight
Thinking counting all the hours you wait
[Chorus]
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
[Verse 2]
And no, I’m not a jerk
I would ask if you could help me out
It’s hard to understand
Cause when you’re running by yourself
It’s hard to find someone to hold your hand
You know it’s good to be tough like me
But I will wait forever
I need someone else
To look into my eyes and tell me
“Girl, you know you’ve got to watch your health”
[Refrain]
To look into my eyes and tell me
Lalalalala
To look into my eyes and tell me
Lalalalala
Lalalalala
Lalalalala
Lalalalala
Lalalalala
[Chorus]
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night