Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Comfortably Numb

Comfortably numb: I love this music.  Not only for the theme that it expresses--the desire to float or drift away, free from care and consequence in a state of childish disregard--but the rolling arpeggios of the chorus as the lyrics declaim "there is no pain, you are receding..." are thrilling, and transcendant--expressing the moment of clarity--the epiphany--that is occurring.  And then the guitar solos that follow both choruses lift the soul even higher, and we feel perhaps that the numbness, the loss of control, the protecting veil between the sensitive skin and the mind might not be completely bad.  It is a masterpiece.

Hello.
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?

Come on, now.
I hear youre feeling down.
Well I can ease your pain,
Get you on your feet again.

Relax.
I need some information first.
Just the basic facts:
Can you show me where it hurts?

There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I cant hear what youre sayin.
When I was a child I had a fever.
My hands felt just like two balloons.
Now I got that feeling once again.
I cant explain, you would not understand.
This is not how I am.
I have become comfortably numb.

Ok.
Just a little pinprick. [ping]
Therell be no more --aaaaaahhhhh!
But you may feel a little sick.

Can you stand up?
I do believe its working. good.
Thatll keep you going for the show.
Come on its time to go.

There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I cant hear what youre sayin.
When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse,
Out of the corner of my eye.
I turned to look but it was gone.
I cannot put my finger on it now.
The child is grown, the dream is gone.
I have become comfortably numb.

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