LogFAQs > #979285758

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78. Rest In Peace
Source: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Villain: Spike
Nominator: CoolCly (2 left)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrsKWzC4WxE

Villainy: 1
Characterization: 7
Melody: 4
Total: 12/30

"You can't tell the ones you love / You know they couldn't deal / Whisper in a dead man's ear / It doesn't make it real"

If you listen to the song, it's better quality on Spotify than it is on YouTube. So, if I heard this song without any context from the show (which I kind of am in a way, as I've never actually watched Buffy) I would never have assumed Spike was a villain. If anything, he comes across as a tragic figure. He's dead, literally as a vampire and metaphorically as someone who feels empty. Buffy, who he's in love with, makes him feel alive (metaphorically, he's still a vampire literally), but even though she continually returns to him she never returns his affections, despite him feeling it's obvious she feels them. The idea of "I love you, and I know you love me back, but if you won't admit it then leave me be so I can get over you," is about the least villainous sentiment I've heard from a villain.

It's great characterization, but how is the song? Eh. I mean, I really like the vibe of it, but it's desperately in need of some better mixing and rhythmic variety to really compete here. It's like very close to being a great song, but it almost feels like a first attempt in a lot of ways rather than a finished product. And James Marsters is not a great singer.