032 Beach Killing
“I’m alive
I’m dead
I’m the stranger…”
-The Cure
Continuing on with the music theme I thought I would wade into the song Killing an Arab by the Cure. It’s a bit controversial for what might seem like obvious reasons, but it’s really just their homage to The Stranger that got a little (or a lot) taken out of context. It’s worth reading the Wikipedia page section on the controversy. It’s one of those things that at the time probably seemed like it wasn’t going to be a big deal, and everyone would understand. But alas events since its release and just people getting outraged about everything or misusing everything seems to have changed their minds about it a little bit. It’s a fun song, and I remember it fondly from my youth. I certainly had no idea what it was about at the time when I first started listening to The Cure, or listening to my siblings albums at first anyway until I got my own. And started wearing black clothes. I may have also gone through my very brief angsty goth phase where The Cure and The Smiths were an outsized influence on my music habits during some teen years. Ah, the blunder years. Not that I don’t like the music, I still do, but it often comes with a whole host of clichés and crowds that fit into certain stereotypes. But hey, if you like it, what does it matter?
The Cure obviously felt the call of the muses and the escape music brings, and forged their own path. I like music inspired by literature and art (Iron Maiden Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner anyone?) so I’m all for what they’re doing here.
I think the last time I really listened to them with regularity was when they last came out with an album. Maybe it’s time for a revisit at a different stage in my life and go through all their albums again.
-DA
For you uninitiated, go try their greatest hits (Amazon).
Or check out just the song above on YouTube (def not official):
They’ve also got an official looking station, but not sure if it is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_zMdXdM51oSi5XpxTvRtQ
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