This is one of those songs, like Out On The Tiles, Tomorrow Never Knows, and Smells Like Teen Spirit, where the title is not mentioned in the lyrics. What is the connection? Even though Kolly Kibber's Birthday is my second favorite Julian Cope song, I've never thought much about it. The pulsating drum/synth tone is so hypnotic, and the melody is so dreamy, I've just allowed the song to BE. But here!...on this blog!...today, ladies and gentlemen...not in front of a studio audience!...I am going to try to answer it! (pause while initial audience shock and amazement subsides).
OK, here is my take on the song. I believe an adult Julian is looking back on an experience he had as an adolescent that involved a bully. The opening music is anxious, like a child running frantically down the street to get somewhere. Voices in his head, 'you're going to be late! run faster!' My life is a delicate balance, the distance between town A and town B...I imagine Julian as a 13 year old having to leave his comfort zone to attend Kolly Kibber's Birthday. Perhaps he has a crush on her, or some other girl who will be there, and he is worried about appearing awkward in her presence. However, going from Town A (Tamworth) to, eh, let's look at the map. OK Town B is Alvecote. It's actually a hamlet. Along this route, there is a big kid who Julian might encounter, and this is the delicate part, getting to the party without getting 'killed.' Uh-oh, suddenly his enemy is standing in the road, and Julian's fear factor kicks in.
And as the fog gets clearer...the kid knocks Julian down, but after shaking himself off Julian gets to his feet and wipes his tears away. A two note electric guitar shatters the mind...
My war is a Pyrrhic victory...Julian is going to have to fight, and the best he can hope for is some sort of moral victory because he thinks the kid is going to pummel him. While his mind struggles with the weight of the moment, the bully has the gall to approach with a look of indifference, like I have to do this, it's my job. I'm not sure about the irrigates half of our hearts line, but I think Julian has grown up with this kid and they are supposed to cling to their roles as bully and bullied. But pride in the name of pride...
And as the fog gets clearer...Julian has upped the ante, the bully has provoked him and Julian's mind says it's time to party like it's 1999. What more does he have to lose?
My arms bear a payment to liberty...Julian fights, he's had enough of this bully. He smashes the chains of the bully's tyranny and flails his fists at the kid. The final lines are Julian reflecting on the incident; he can look back on it from a healthy present time, and he tells himself that he was a god in that battle. It might not be how it actually happened, but being a secure and mature adult softens the lie.
The crazy two note electric guitar is the weak getting strong and nearer...it's the strength and courage coming to Julian in the moment, like a two-sided battle axe. Maybe after this event, Julian makes it to Kolly Kibber's house and celebrates with some cake and ice cream and a cute girl.
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