Sooo... bad stuff happens. It happens to everyone. I have a song that probably took me through some of the hardest times of my life so far. "Not Alone" by Saosin is one of those songs that is universal. Though it only speaks plainly of 2 scenarios in the song, it's really about pain and how everyone experiences it. But pain is everpresent and happens to the best of us. In a way, it ties us all together and is what makes us human. But there is a strength in every soul that can pull you through a difficult time, even if you didn't know it was there. 'Nuff said.
This video is amazing. Symbolic, check. It's black and white throughout the whole video but pulls a "Schindler's List" with the light blue being everywhere. I'm not sure, but isn't blue suppose to be a color for hope? OR... is it blue like the sky where our guardian angels watch from... take it however you will. I think it's black and white to represent an older time and just saying even in those times things could get rough. And when the people are lifted up... I mean that's plain and simple: THEY'RE LIFTED UP! They feel better after being given hope! Man, I really like this video... the story, the girl, the song... it just makes it incredible.
A little about the band: they are very close to my heart. They're a local band out of Newport Beach and have that sound of it being something you just need to hear. They face the difficult changes of life head on and then turn around to write songs about it. Basically, I love it. Currently, the original band is not together (which makes me sad). The lead singer, Anthony Green, has been in numerous bands and stayed with Saosin for the short part of a year. He currently lends his vocals to another "small" band by the name of Circa Survive (who ain't that bad neither). The band name is somewhat hard to explain but I'll try: saosin is actually supposed to be the Chinese word xiao xin, meaning "small heart". Green wanted to pronounce it "say-ocean", but when he left the band changed it to "say-o-sin" (even though the REAL pronunciation is "shiao shing"). Story goes the word refers to a Chinese proverb teaching young men who are married off for money not be too attached to their wives because they could leave/die at anytime. Green wanted to interpret this as saying nothing is eternal in this world and getting attached to anything is a big no-no because it will eventually be lost. Interesting interpretation... I don't know how right it is, but it's interesting. TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK. By the way, lyrics @ Lyrics.com and sorry if there's some ad before the video... i could only find this video at Mtv's website.
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2 comments:
Loved this song and your review! Thanks
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for the opportunity to reflect along with you. I too thoroughly like the song—as a philosophy professor and a pastor and a drummer. From your comments on the band’s name and the information on the Chinese proverb, it seems that the band’s or lead singer’s philosophy may reflect a bit of Buddhist philosophy. As in the advise to the young boy to not become attached to things in this world and the imagery of the girl floating up in the song, both of these may reflect the Buddhist philosophy of the Four Noble Truths. These truths relate to suffering (or dukkha), its nature, its origin, its cessation and the path leading to its cessation. And what leads to suffering is desire or attachment to things. So attachment = suffering and the way to cease suffering is to cease desiring or detach from things. However, in Buddhist philosophy there seems to be little room for Hope, as hope implies hoping “in” someone/something or “for” something, which would mean some form of attachment. I think the virtue and human need for hope fits better in a theistic (Theism: belief in God) philosophy or religion. In theistic traditions such as Christianity and Judaism Hope is a trustful expectation, particularly with reference to the fulfillment of God’s promises. Hope is the confidence that what God has done in the past guarantees our participation in what God will do in the future. I think the song may be more consistent with a theistic interpretation of the world than a Buddhist interpretation. Would enjoy your reflections… Blessings and we miss seeing you more often around the NewSong community.
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