Water Imagery Opinions

["Schrade, Scott" <sschrade@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> > 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