LogFAQs > #980320842

#B#

2: Alright then. What's the point?

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And finally the question I most dread. After everything... with this song being so vital to my very existence, I feel like defining it is some final test. Like if I get it wrong, then it proves I don't deserve to exist--or worse, never truly existed in the first place. I know that's stupid; I exist, regardless of my ability to understand politcal allegories and people seem split into two camps on the song's meaning & I don't have any negative feelings towards those who came to a different conclusion. But whatever... you can either take the Optimistic View:

America may have problems, but it's still a major world power whose influence can be felt everywhere on Earth. And while it may be a giant trash fire now, we have to believe that America can do better. That as a country we can try to stand up for the values that allegedly defined the country--to be that shining city on the hill and serve as a positive example for the rest of the world.

Or you can be a Pessimist; the song depicts the entire country as a literal dump & America, the allegorical person, as literally bankrupt. Everything is shit and a cheesy, racist song accomplishes nothing.

...Now, to be fair, Duckman can go for some very dark humor at times. But I don't think the negative view fits with the show's ethics. "Everything sucks so don't try" is a South Park type message, not a Duckman one. Duckman had heart and could pull off surprisingly touching, emotional stories when it wanted to. More importantly, I feel like all of the show's heavy-handed messages and anger were borne out of a hope that America could do better. To be better. It acknowledges how bad things are and how bad things have always been, but I feel like the writers' truly believed that things could improve. Sure, the song is stupid; the characters singing it are also stupid. The only thing that's changed by the end is America deciding to try and that's the important part. If they wanted to be bleak, America would either be dead or abandon the world's children or.... well... literally do anything other than try to help?

So... yeah.

3. ...COULD YOU TYPE LITERALLY ANYTHING THAT CAN WORK AS A STANDARD WRITE UP?

Back on to the actual quality of the song, it's not great. None of these voice actors are professional singers, the song is pretty basic, and a parody of "We Are The World" can only go so far... especially when it doesn't bother trying to be funny. It's important enough to me that I'd say that I really like it, but there's no way I could ever call it an objectively good song.

[Even Later Still]

Ooh boy, that Coheed & Cambria song nominated by CJones. "Window of the Waking Mind". Back when I typed that stuff about being mute and almost banished to an institution, I really didn't think a song was going to be nominated that was actually going to trigger those memories. Honestly, why would I be expecting it? We've avoided the topic for years and it's a very specific thing. And yet, here we are. Honestly, I don't want to get into this, but I don't see that I have much of a choice. Well, there's always a choice. I refused to comment on any specifics at the actual song's write up, so I could continue refusing... but... I've already decided that I'm going to. So, fuck it, let's go with a true uncensored version of that song's write up as we revisit it now:

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Coheed & Cambria - Window of the Waking Mind (8:38)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WscFSf_OjHA
Nominator: CJones

Score: I dunno at this point in time. Maybe I'll remember to fill this place in when it's received its final score? [Later: Well this waa supposed to be at the end of the topic when I'd know what it's final score was, but I don't. So... we're... revisiting a song's elimination before it's actually eliminated.

...a rational person would take a moment to reflect on the fact that creating a time paradox in a music ranking means that you've completely lost the plot & revise their actions. But, as I said, I've got things I need to say at the end of this and I don't think it can wait. So... uhh.... time paradox ahoy?]

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Here's a simple story and I hope I tell it well
Of a boy locked in a place, his mind the very cell
Imprisoned with his wild visions of every time in space
There's no one in this world quite like him

The thing that complicates it is his parents and who they are
The law theyre made to run from beyond the House of the Stars
The birth must be in secret so no prying eyes can see
There's no one of this world quite like him

Our pride and joy, are you there?
Are you in there safe and sound?
Tell us what you need so we can help you
We don't know what to do, we don't know what to do

Patronizing doctors with their diagnostic leads
Carry on your query, it's blood, the boy, he bleeds
But you can't see him like you, so a monster he must be
There's no one in this world quite like him

Vaxis?
Son?
Do you hear us?
Do you feel us?

And let me tell you when you've been through this, the song hits on a different level. Let me revisit the relevant part from the Duckman write up:

I... did not take his death well; I kinda shut down mentally, became non-verbal, and was almost permanently locked in a mental institution for being too defective to exist. And if you're wondering how well I dealt with "one parent dying and the other one trying to lock you away for all eternity for being worthless when you're still basically a fucking baby", the answer is NOT WELL. I HAVE NOT DEALT WITH THIS WELL, AT ALL. Also, I get a bit twitchy around the fact that children being non-verbal is just a *thing* that's allowed to happen these days--I mean, it's good. It's good that they're allowed to exist. Back in my day, we sentenced them to fates worse than death, but hey! Progress!

Believe me when I say that I have not dealt with this subject well. I have a lot of pent up anger about everything. The doctors so willing to condemn me, my mother who was one step from locking me up, the fact that there's been no apology or actual resolution to anything... it's like 'ah well, I guess you are capable of speech after all, let's never acknowledge the fact that I was going to get rid of you for being sub-human garbage & pretend this never happened, tee hee hee' and usually I'm able to play pretend. Not be okay with any of it because I really don't know how you move past this stuff, but able to not think about it. It was several lifetimes ago and all. But this song revealed to me just how much anger I have left... those lines about the doctors calling Vaxis a monster are very rage inducing & you probably shouldn't ask how I feel about his parents supporting him because my parental issues are spiraling and you do not want an answer. Though, in short, "angry". Everything in this song makes me angry.

Which is a good thing, if I'm being totally honest.

*one part remaining*