Friday, May 2, 2008 - 22:16
PART-2 MY INTERPRETATION OF BOY'S FOR PELE" CD - AS A TOTAL CONCEPT PIECE
PLEASE READ PART-1 FIRST IN ORDER TO FOLLOW THIS SEGMENT:
Another Aspect of the Court Scene is further Demonstrated In Hey Jupiter “Guess its me and me and this little masochist. SHE’S READY TO CONFESS.” We also see in Marianne where she is being framed, in the lines: Making themselves pesters and lesters and jesters and my TRAITORS of kind.” This is further seen in the lines from “Springtime Of His Voodoo” which reads: “Every Road Leads Back To My Back Door.” Thus, every clue has been planted to lead right back to her. Additional references to those conspiring to frame her is seen in the lines from “Professional Widow” which state: “Gonna STRIKE A DEAL, make him feel like a Congressman.” And also in the lines: “Everywhere A JUDAS as far as you can see.”
Next we find the Dead Victim meeting Satan in Hell, itself. The Centerpiece of this theme is provided for in the Song “Father Lucifer” where upon meeting him, she greets him; and talks flippantly by saying: “Father Lucifer, you never looked so sane. You always did prefer the drizzle to the rain. Tell me that you’re still in love with milkmaid. How’s your Jesus Christ been hanging?” This is a powerful slap at Satan, since, by biblical Accounts, after Jesus HUNG “Hanging” on the Cross; He descended into Hell, and CONQUERED BOTH SATAN AND DEATH, by rising Again) We also see other References to hell as follows: “In Beauty Queen” we have the lines: “They say your DEMONS can’t go THERE.” We also see her trying to resist going in the lines: “I can’t go. You said so. And threads that are Golden, don’t break easily.” Another reference can be found in: “Caught A Little Sneeze”: “The SPIRE is HOT.” A well known SATANIC SYMBOL IS A SPIRE POINTED DOWNWARDS. Also, it is “Hot” because it is in Hell. Another Reference can be found in “The Doughnut song” in the Lines: “Soo many Able Fires.” In Muhammad, My Friend, we have the Lines: “You’ve never seen FIRE until you’ve seen PELE blow.” Here Pele, which is a direct reference to a volcano, is also a Symbolic Reference to Hell itself. This is again seen in the song: “Not The Red Baron” in the lines: “I See that screen go DOWN in the FLAMES, with every step with every beautiful heel pointed. In “Twinkle” we see this theme subtly in the lines: “She said, I killed a man. I’ve got to stay hidden in the Abbey. But I CAN SEE THAT STAR.” Here we see another soul speaking to the victim who is in Hell for Killing a man. However, she is trying to delude herself into thinking she can avoid Hell, by staying Hidden in the Abbey. This delusion is destroyed by the Reality that She Can still see THAT STAR. (In this case the Star, is the SPIRE, mentioned in Caught A Little Sneeze. Finally, in the Song, “Way Down” we see her finally descending into the very depths of hell Itself, in the lines: “Did you hear the laughter, ON THE WAY DOWN. Yes, I’m the anchorman, dinning HERE, with SON OF SAM.” Finally ending in the lines: “She knows, lets go THE WAY DOWN…”
Amazing Genius at it's Very Best!!!!!!!
END OF PART-2
:)
Steve B.
Replies for this Forum Topic
Thank you very much Gealach 17 for your thoughtful feedback, and especially for those very kind and highly appreciated words. I realize that there are people who have their own interpretation of this CD, and might feel this one an imposition on theirs. I actually believe that Tori Amos is so extraordinarily brilliant, that it is entirely possible multiple interpretations could all be correct. She normally writes on a multi-dimension level. Thus, one might CORRECTLY see one meaning, another might also CORRECTLY see an entirely different meaning, and yet another might CORRECTLY SEE A THIRD, an so on. I TRULY DO BELIEVE TORI IS THAT INTELLIGENT!!!
If nothing else, this should help provide food for thought of another possible dimension to a very great and beloved CD.
Thanks Again Gealeach 17 - AND WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve B.
I must tell you that I really missed this kind of threads on our forum. These discussions evoke so many emotions here, and are a great 'mental gymnastics' as Bush described it in one post (a very accurate phrase
).
) However, I did start seeing some references hidden in the lyrics, which is pretty fascinating - some lyrics, when compared, appear to complete each other.
And I wouldn't argue with anyone who'd accuse it of being imagined or something like that - because in my opinion an interpretation is always subjective, so it should be taken without such strong emotions, just like a suggestion or a good advice (especially due to the Author's good intentions and wisdom, as it's here).
Aveallen's suggestion about BFP being a concept album has surprised me a bit, because I've never thought of it this way. I'm strongly used to thinking of BFP as a bunch of amazing songs, which sort of live their own lives.
The themes of death, murder, rape, religion etc., which are certainly the leitmotiv of BFP, appear on so many songs of Tori, that it's always seemed to me just like a natural feature of Tori's compositions. Bush's interpretation -another proof of his talent, which I always appreciate- hasn't actually convinced me that all the stories were written on purpose of telling a particular story... (well, at least this is how I understand the term 'conceptual album' in this case
All in all, this is a wonderful interpretation of wonderful lyrics, and I really enjoy taking part in this discussion
I'm terribly sleepy, so it'd be the end of my 'mental gymnastics'
Goodnight to EWF from the same time zone 
G
Hello Aveallen:
I was glad to do it. thank you for getting me to take a second look at it. Of course I fully recognize this could be mistaken. I do believe she writes on such a multi-dimensional level, that she probably has numerous themes going on, plus this overall concept theme, that we may not even be aware of.
In part one, I got a response from Cindy that almost seemed to take a slight bit of offense to it. Of course, I did not mean to offend anyone. I was simply putting that out there for intellectual discussion; and certainly am not attempting to claim I or anyone has a lock on the correct interpretation.
Maybe Cindy is right that we are giving Tori too much credit. However, I certainly think Tori possesses both the intellectual fire-power, and imagination, to have interwoven a hidden mystery in that CD, for for her fans to discover over time.
With only a couple of exceptions, every interpretation of a Tori song that I have put out on this site, as a Post, HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE RESULT OF SOMEONE REQUESTING IT FROM ME;including this one. I always felt honored, and a little humbled by the fact that someone would think enough of me to ask for that.
Of course as Cindy has suggested, this could be nothing more than an overfertile imagination. As for the suggestion that it is either that, or I simply have too much time on my hands, I would simply respond by saying that although I wish Life would be such that it allowed one "Too Much Times On Thier Hands," the nature of my job simply does not lend itselfg to that assumption. (Also see my 2nd Response to Cindy in Part-1 for a fuller explanation)
I will categorically state that AT NO TIME WAS I SIMPLY ATTEMPTING TO PUT OUT "SPIN.' I was sincrerely attempting to provide some insight into something I felt existed in this Masterpiece of Tori's.
However, if someone is going to get offended, perhaps I should discontinue putting out interpretations of tori's songs on this site in the future; as this was never my intention to offend anyone.
Steve B.
Thanks for gettign this a little more out there. It's about time other fans got their 2 cents in:-) I was always shocked how no one has ever noticed the "concept" of this album. I heard it upon the first few listens and my friends and I would have debates about the end and how someone got away with murder. I felt that mayB Tori's muses were trying 2 tell her something. I found it strange that even after 12 years and how scutinized Tori's lyrics R that more fans didn't know. It only works 4 the original version, the redone version which omits Springtime and replaces Talula got rid of 2 important parts... her escpae West and the whole "congratulate you.. silver tongue" line which I thought was important. Thanks 4 doing more interpretation on it. I always want 2 ask her about it and one of these days I will.
Sorry about the Gender change “Cloudonmytongue.” Mycloud, which is similar to your screen name is a male; and I subconsciously made a similar association. If I were a Doctor, I could have made the joke that I was merely trying instill a subliminal message to entice you to utilize my services for a sex change operation! (LOL)
Steve B.
Thanks for your appreciation bush, but I do have to point out that you referred to me as 'him' on the other thread, but I'm a woman!
Thanks Fairfireflies!! As you know I have a great deal of respect for your intellectual prowress. Therefore, such a complement is imminsely appreciated.
As a result of having now gone through the mental gymnastics of assessing the The entire BFP CD, I have now decided BFP definitely qualifies as being among some of the all-time greatest Total Concept Albums!
Love-Your Friend - Steve B.
Bush,
another beautiful disection. Its really quite the southern Twin Peaks. Haunting, Mystical, Scientific and polotical. Actually could make a great second project. *gigglz*...
--
if you know me so well tell me which hand I use
Wonderful work as usual Bush411, I really need to take another listen to BFP with a fresh perspective. Thank you for sharing your interpretations.
--
"Last time I checked he came to light the lamp for everyone" Marys of the Seas
For an even better appreciation of this, please read the Response from "Cloudonmytongue" and My Response to her, below. Aslo see the response from Aveallen at the bottom of the thread IN PART-1.
Steve B.
Hello "Cloudonmytongue!"
You are absolutely right about Pele being a Volcano in Hawaii!!! I have been to Maui, Owahu, the Big Island, and Kuai, many times - Most of it was on Business - The sacrifices we make for the Job , sometimes. ( Ha Ha).
I am also very familiar with that legend, and with the fact that the more commonly accepted interpretation of "Boy's For Pele" is that it was in reference thereto.
Knowing Tori, and her multiple cyptic messaging Genius, it is entirely possible, she was attempting to do both, at the same time.
I DO BELIEVE THE TITLE OF THE CD WAS INSPIRED BY THAT.
What I am offering, is what I believe has been missed by many of her fans regarding that Album. I believe it is far deeper, that just simply being inspired by the Legend of Pele.
Also, you may notice that I did reference in my Interpretation, that the reference to Pele is both pertaining to a Volcano and "Hell."
I do agree that she does have some references to male and female (not just Gay) Relationships, within the Album.
Thank you very much for reading it; AND ESPECIALLY FOR YOU INPUT.
Steve B.
Hi bush,
I just thought I'd point out one thing. With your reference to Pele, she is the volcano goddess of the native people of Hawaii, specifically of the main island. The reference to her in Muhammad my Friend refers to two different aspects of her. Firstly, in the legends associated with Pele she was known to take many lovers, but when they attempted to leave her, she threw lava at them and preserved them forever in rock (ie. showing her power, as a woman, over men). Also, when Christian missionaries first went to Hawaii in the 1820s, the local people were still very superstitious of Pele and would always offer part of any berries they gathered to Pele. The minister with the mission refused to do this, saying that the only god he revered was Jehovah. In the line, it might be said that Tori was saying to Moses that the 'burning bush' sent by the Jewish/Christian god, conventionally considered male, is as nothing compared to what a powerful female deity can conjure up (ie. volcanic explosions).
I think this line has far more to do with male/female relations imo, though I have enjoyed reading your personal interpretation of BFP.