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Playing upon a stereotype of people from the United Kingdom, we are being told that normal people are following disciplines rather than creating their own. Being unique is bad and following established regiments is good no matter what you think of them.
CONFORMISTS!
I think I'm cool enough
But am I cruel enough?
Am I cruel enough
For you? Arcade Fire – Normal Person
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This isn’t merely about being part of a club or a gang, this is about co-existing with other human beings. Like in the schoolyard, this kid may be “cool” enough, but is that enough? Apparently, in order to fit in with society you have to be cruel as well. We’re not told what kind of society promotes cruelty over coolness, but it may just be the society our kids are shaping unbeknownst to us.
In order to be “normal”, you need to have lost your innocence, optimism, and empathy. Many bitter people resent those who haven’t lost their optimism, and want you to be cruel to such people until they are just like everyone else; this transformation is proof that these optimistic people aren’t better than them but are just like them in the same situation.
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Taking into account that one’s impression of a normal person may be different than anyone else’s, Win Butler could be touching upon something inherit in human nature.
Look at the definition of apathy:
n. lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
If the source of human apathy is laziness, meaning it takes effort to be nice to other human beings, then it takes no effort to be completely uncaring of anything.
Therefore, if a normal person doesn’t care, then they don’t respond to someone in trouble or take the effort to preserve life rather than passively let it die prematurely. How cruel.
We all did it, who cared if we were murderers?
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We all searchin' for our better way
Got yours off my plate, it's alright
I got my own way to believe Pearl Jam – Getaway
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Everyone is looking for their version of salvation, whether it be through an organized religion, atheism, or whatever other option. For Eddie, however, he has found his own way so he doesn’t need anybody putting their beliefs “onto his plate.” He’s already got enough on his plate, it seems.
The chicken tasted like Ichthys
They just found your father in the swimming pool
And you guess you won't be goin' back to school
Anymore Billy Joel – Captain Jack
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Our subject focuses so heavily on status; he doesn’t understand that what he has might just be enough. He’s so jaded from his lifestyle that when “they” find his father in the swimming pool (presumed drowned, but definitely dead), all he can respond with is, “well, guess I won’t be going back to school anymore.” How would you react to your father being found like this:
Is school the only thing that concerns you?
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The subject is staring at the junkies and homosexuals that are comfortable showing themselves as such on the street, something that wouldn’t happen on the streets of a small town.
They look like a fun bunch!
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Greenwich Village, often referred to as “the Village” is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. Tired of his small town, the subject of the song has either moved or is visiting the area where diversity thrives. Tie-dye peaked within the counterculture movements of the 1960s, and it became something of a uniform for those wishing to fit in as hippies.
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“Mad About You” is the third song off of Sting’s most personal album, The Soul Cages. Featuring a Middle Eastern theme in the instrumentation, the lyrics mention Jerusalem as the location and a powerful figure who is infatuated with a woman who might cause his destruction.
The story is based off of the Second Book of Samuel and is not as well known as Sting’s other hits but is a satisfying deep cut from his catalog.
Sting on “Mad About You”:
It’s inspired by the story of King David and Bathsheba. These stories of murder and obsessive, jealous love appeal to me for some reason. Yes, those lines “There are no victories / In all our histories / Without love” have the quintessential Sting idea that romantic love outweighs global issues. I really believe that. Love is continuity of the species, it’s the most important thing. That’s why love songs are immortal. A political song will be dated within a year. It took me a long time to learn that."
Source: sting.com
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Eddie explains that sometimes you have to not have faith in order to find where your faith truly resides rather than immediately assuming you have to have faith in something. However this isn’t exactly an admission of being agnostic. He has found his religion, whatever it may be, and is no longer taking suggestions. The “getaway,” as it turns out, is the avoidance of evangelists shaking the foundation of your own belief system.
I hope this is referring to extraordinary events, such as when I found my brother hanging dead. I actually cussed God for allowing!! I truly put all my faith in no faith! I have made peace with all!
I dont know if he’s specifically talking about religion. Putting “your faith in no faith” could mean just blindly take a leap and do it rather than hold yourself back!