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Water Imagery Opinions
> > But the old rock star arrogance carried me into very dangerous water."
>
> I'm surprised no one's mentioned the "water" reference.
Ha!
> And FWIW, no one asked me but I don't think snow or ice or even "wet"
> should count toward water references. They all have their own imagery,
> but they're different from the imagery that water evokes. "Rain" is on
> the border but I'd probably let it pass as "water". But hey, it's your
> show.
First, it certainly is not just *my* show. I invited everyone to chime
in with examples & discussion when I first proposed this project. I didn't
want this to be a game or contest. I wanted all of us to have an accurate
list containing every published Pete Townshend song with any type of water
imagery. Partly for fun, partly for geeky Pete knowledge & trivia.
Second, you, of all people, *never* have to be *asked* to share your opin-
ion. We'd do ourselves a disservice putting such constraints on you. ;-)
Third, I'm not comfortable either with the snow, ice, & wet references be-
ing labeled water imagery. And I'm glad you brought this up.
My first reaction was: don't include ice & wet references. Snow seemed OK
to me. It's not too far removed from rain.
But others on the list began immediately citing ice & wet references. This
made me think: Are these truly water references because so many people are
citing them, or was I too broad in my description of what a water image
could be?
Perhaps it's the phrase "water imagery" that's causing the confusion. Some
people are thinking: "Water. Seas & lakes, good. Ice & wet, bad." While
others are of the mindset, "Water. Oh yeah, like ice & steam & wetness &
tears...."
How can I say who's right? I figured it'd be better to have an
all-inclus-ive list, with *everything* people suggested, than a list where
*I* was the
one with final say as to what constituted a true water image.
But again, please feel free to argue your point. Anyone. Pro or con. I
wanted this project to lead to discussion.
So, *should* ice & wetness & snow be considered water images? Or tears, as
some have suggested?
Should each image be judged on a case-by-case basis? Do we want to put
*that* much work into this? With lobbying, voting, etc.? You tell me.
For example, I would argue that, in this line from "Another Tricky Day,"
You know how the ice is / It's thin where you're skating
one would be hard-pressed *not* to imagine an ice-skater on a frozen pond or
lake, skating around with the possible danger of falling through at some
point. To me, that's a strong water image, even though water in its liquid
form isn't even mentioned.
But this line from "Music Must Change" might not deserve to make the cut:
Sometimes at night I wake up & my body's like ice
I don't envision water or even ice for that matter in this line. I just
imagine a cold, shivering person.
Tears, I'll admit, I have a problem with, as far as being considered water
imagery. But if a line contained a metaphor like "tears flowing like
rivers," I think we'd have to include it. Some would argue we don't even
need *that* condition put on it.
So, what I'm saying is: A) I want this list to be inclusive of everyone's
opinions, & B) I'll need feedback & help on occasion if I make a presump-
tion or do something wrong.
Finally, let me say thanks to all who have contributed so far. Many of
your examples are from Pete solo songs I never cared for & hence rarely
listen to. So without your help, they may have escaped my notice.
"You've all done very well!"
"Thank you, Mr. Grace!"
;-)
- SCHRADE in Akron