Added: 5 years ago
From: AbsurdMusic
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  • The "story" of this song is that she is pleading with a fellow writer to rekindle the fire inside them to return to their former genius, while in the second half admitting that doing so is much easier said than done. Here's some help on the words:

    writ -- writings

    vestal light -- a light that burns for a long time (as she struggles day and night to write), a reference to the torch kept burning by the Vestal Virgins in ancient Rome

  • If you think these lyrics are bad you should try listening to the killers

  • Personally, I believe he intended for this video to be like a fun little contribution, not necesarily a bunch of bashing, because honestly, when i first started listening to joanna newsom i was like "damn her lyrics are amazing but that voice is just gastly" eventually i fell in love with it, we all know her voice is not bad but diffrent and strange which is part of what makes her, and the left thing, well she can't be human to make music like this :P

  • i would say it eels more like a parody and a tribute combine.. so i dont uinderstand all the hateful comments

  • Haha, Ms. Newsom would hate this video so much. Poor girl, not at all being recognized for her genius here.

  • Great video, made me smile.  Great song, made me smile. Smiling is good.

  • awesome song, your video is shit

  • well, if she is such an elf, WHY SPEND ALL THE TIME MAKING A VIDEO ABOUT HER?

  • Your smart ass comments during the video really ruin it.

  • Despite what you say, Andy Samberg of The Lonely Island has been dating her for years.

  • this video is fucking horrible, but thank you for uploading the song

  • if you feel like you have to apologize for JN, you are an idiot.

  • lol if you think her lyrics are insane ramblings

  • estás en la sexta

  • writ

    n : something written : writing <Sacred Writ>

    You didn't get all of the lyrics right and you're looking at one definition for each word you "make sense of". I can't tell if you're a troll or just stupid but you would do well to know what you're talking about before you spit on it. Do you even know what symbolism is?

  • Oh yeah, because all song lyrics need to make sense? You are not supposed to interpret the words literally.

  • "harper". you're fucking arrogant AND stupid.

  • I may be off on this, but my interpretation is that she and her lyricist (if she were to have a lyricist which i dont believe she does :p) parted ways after a dispute and so she is saying "all you were good for and the only thing you are good at is writing clever lyrics, but its unfortunate, because I am not so clever with words so it turns out i still need you"

    at least that is what i think. :D

  • I may be off on this, but my interpretation is that she and her lyricist (if she were to have a lyricist which i dont believe she does :p) parted ways after a dispute and so she is saying "all you were good for and the only thing you are good at is writing clever lyrics, but its unfortunate, because I am not so clever with words so it turns out i still need you"

    at least that is what i think. :D

  • <3 Joanna and this song...

  • I love Joanna! I think this is amusing, I mean really, didn't you think the same thing when you first heard her? I know I did, and somehow I was attracted to it because it was different. People are entitled to their opinions so please, don't poop yourselves just because someone else thinks you have terrible taste in music.

  • I can understand people not liking her voice. I hated it at first too, but it's an acquired taste. The more I listened to it the more I found I enjoyed it's quirkiness. It's kind of like a dog that's so ugly it's cute.

  • You have no taste.

  • 12? I think really old when I hear this, not really young.

  • it's hard to really determine whether or not this whole thing is a joke or actually out of respect for newsom

  • hey fuck head joanna is the best fuck you!!!! you dirty cunt!!

  • this is highly humorous indeed

    be it sarcastical or not really, this can't lose

  • hey buddy go fuck yourself,have some respect for talent man,nobody wants to hear your shit filled opion,so piss off

  • what's with this incredibly insulting and distracting slide show? why is there not a normal copy of this song on the internet. weak. disappointed.

  • You probably don't understand Wallace Stevens or Dr. Seuss either, do you?

  • you're saying some pretty derogatory things about my homegirl joanna...

  • Cute, but - IT'S WRONG!

    "if you can call it singing?"

    Of course its singing, my lawrd! How can you say such a thing!

  • Wow! I feel so refreshed and challenged by your UNIQUE interpretation if these lyrics. Thank you thank you thank you...

  • Her lyrics aren't that absurd, she's singing a fairly straight forward song about two lovers who are struggling with a sizzling relationship. It's taking a light hearted stab at young love where the couple thinks their situation is so unique when, in reality, it's as flawed as everyone else's, perhaps even more so given that the "boars" and "mollusks" can seemingly be more happy than them.

  • *harpist

  • This video cheapens the art that it supposedly glorifies.

  • Joanna Newsom is a modern creative genius. Her lyrics are brilliant but this video is still funny!!

  • i love joanna

    shes the freakin coolest

    but i also like this video

    this is funny

    she IS an elf

  • but seriously i figure this video is sarcastic, but honestly, her lyrics are brilliant.. its called being creative!

  • THIS SONG has brilliant lyrics...

    let me break it down you, fool

    -you dirge for the dead (don't give a fuck)

    -and take no jam on your bread (Don't appreciate the good things in life)

    -Just a supper of salt (sustained bitterness)

    -and a waltz through your empty bed (no ones gonan sleep with you when you are so bitter)

    What the hell dont you get?! its brilliant!

  • dude this is really funny, make more of these!

    love her

  • I love this so much!

  • this video is a poop sausage and some of the quotes are slightly off. i still love this song. thanks for posting the music. video sucks though. sorry.

  • I'm sure there are ways you could make sense of it if you actually tried to.... I know I probably could.

  • her voice stabs me in the face.

  • shes amazing i have no interest in trying to pick apart an artist i love. Maybe somethings should just be left alone nonsensical as they may be lest we all turn into cynical assholes like yourself. nuff said

  • I feel the same way, too many people trying to tailor her style and criticize something that is perfect...

  • why dont you go back to listening to rap and leave her alone you asswipe.

  • Nothing wrong with rap.

    It's another art form accentuating the metaphors, similes, puns, symbolism and philosophies made possible through language.

  • Bitch, i ike her!

  • Joanna Newsome does a wonderful work with great jokes and wheezy world ; whatever the frontal meaning of words she arranges a delicate word and music "dentelle"

    Absurd has been a long tradition of english language since Swift, L Caroll and Abbot.

    Please enjoy the meowing cat from Nevada City, and rock it along your ears...

  • i didn't watch much, AbsurdMusic, but i watched enough to know two things: 1.) you're a closed-minded asshole, and 2.) you don't know the word "harpist."

  • not that I agree with Mr. Absurd's take on Ms. Newsom, but I should point out that she apparently described herself as a "harper" rather than a harpist

  • I'm pretty sure, considering the info to the side, that this was a joke and AbsurdMusic actually likes Newsom. so....

  • Wow, if I were as dumb as you, "AbsurdMusic", I wouldn't be advertising. You suck.

  • Does "I am the Walrus" make any lyrical sense? Probably not, but it sure sounds good and is really popular.

  • do NOT compare Joanna to that song. that song was a joke.

  • do NOT compare Joanna to that song. that song was a musical masterpiece.

  • Not that i dont love the Beatles, or that i dont like i am the walrus, im sorry its just not supposed to be taken seriously.

  • that might be true, but it's an amazing song while this is... how can I say it... annoying.

  • People have different opinions I guess, but personally I love this song.

  • How lame is this video.

    Good song.

  • She is one the last great artists of our age. More power to her.

  • this song is great.

    you're a dick.

    your video sucks.

    the end.

  • But of course it's probably all a clever joke to see how many people are sad enough to commenton what could haveonly been realistically compiled by someone who was quite a joanna newsom fan. I hope.

  • i lol and agree.

  • I know it's all already been said,but anyone who thinks that these lyrics make no sense - and makes a video to try to prove it - is just a mssive tool. And not a sharp one.

  • To repeat someone else, whoever posted this is a dick. Anyone who "apologises" for a singer's voice is automatically assuming that their audience is retarded and discriminatory, and worse still, panders to such a crowd.

  • Good, yet another video exposing atrocious videos. too bad the maker left youtube.

  • Hey don't make fun of her. She's just doing her thing. Go rag on a mainstream atrist who we are all forced to listen to everyday.

  • didn't she major in creative writing?

    her lyrics are beautiful and are well constructed...in a time where the art of lyricism and poetry are undervalued she is a genius

  • i wanna get the playlist of all the music this guy doesn't like and wants to make fun of cause its all really good music

  • whomever posted this is a dick. but i thought it was entertaining.

  • Let me analyze the 3 star rating. Erm.. 5 stars for the music and lyrics, 1 star for the moronic commentary - average = 3 stars

  • I don't think you should compare Joanna Newsom to Panic at the Disco, because she is a musician.

  • That may be so, I am mearly saying that the lyrics and their beautiful randomnocity is reflected in both the lyrics od our dear Joanna Newsom, and the BAND Panic! At the Disco...it is NOT an insult either way...

  • The lyrics are a form of POETRY and are very unique. Her voice is also very unique. In a great way!! People are just used to the hip-hop, pop, and rock sounds, so her contemporary and abstract style is odd to many. I, personally, love her to death. I have the MILK-EYED MENDER CD...

  • mos def, common, k-os

    don't underestimate those who speak poetry, rather then sing it.

  • I love Joanna Newsom. This video is the first time I heard "Inflammatory Writ" and I loved it. But thank you for sharing such a great song with me. I know own both of her cds.

  • whoever made this obviously has no sense for analyzing poetry.

  • I don't know why people think her lyrics are so nonsensical. They are no better then some other lyrics, of much more popular songs.

    To me, they seem to make sense...

    Am I the only one?

  • You're right.

    Her lyrics make plenty of sense, to those who are willing to listen.

    "Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowry" is a fine example of longing to be with someone who doesn't feel the same. "Your skin is something that I stir into my tea." Someone becoming all-consuming, mind and body. Very poetic.

  • Her lyrics aren't nonsensical. They are amazingly formed and have multiple meanings. It's typical to assume that something is stupid merely because you can't or won't try to understand it.

    P.S. She's not a harper, she's a harpist. And I love her ears.

  • it's writ

  • thanks for the video! Helps me love the video even more! (it's about writers block and fear of inferior art) ((which it is not))

  • Dude thats kinda rude, why do you have to spend so much time to try and put someone else down.

  • If you open a bit you would see what she is singing about. It is not so difficult.

    She is very good with lyrics.

  • A "writ" is ANYTHING written, not just a legal document. This is a perfectly charming little song.

  • You're a patronising clown, AM.

  • umm...sounds to me like it's about writer's block, but i could be wrong.

    maybe not as wrong as you though.

  • dear AbsurdMusic - don't you really understand this song? it's not so hard,even for me with my poor english. she's singing just like most of writers about problems with writening.

  • LOL

  • I would quite like to see how you break down TS Eliot's The Waste Land in the same vain.

  • What an amazing honorable thing to do to her music! I don't think you go your message through at all. She is amazing and your video definitely helped making it even more so...

  • Heh, if you're struggling with the imagery of some one's song, mocking is hardly going to bring you closer to the truth. that song is a tapestry of ideas, not all of it connects but there is a story - if you cant see it i'm sorry to hear that.

  • I don't really see where the confusion is about the meaning of this song. I mean it's hard to pick up on when you're listening the first time around. But when you have the lyrics right in front of you? Dude it's about writer's block. I always thought this was one of her most straight forward songs lyrically but I guess I was wrong.

  • lame.... your video "mocking" cLOUDDEAD did a much better job of ironically honoring the music you were mocking... stick with being oblivious instead of obnoxious

  • soooo... you're sying she's they might be giants with a vagina? i can see that.

  • This video hurt me (i know it shouldn't) but it made me want to just yell at you. Don't attack Newsom. I love her. I am curious if you've listened to any of her other music. You should, this isn't the best song to ease into her style with. Her music is incredibly moving, and some of the lyrics, simply beautiful. I'm curious what some of your favorite artists are. and do yourself a favor and listen to some more newsom if you haven't.

  • No no no. I can't see any malice in Absurdmusic's video. I reiterate that Newsom is an excellent writer/performer and this gentle mocking humanises our perception of her and takes her off that cruelest of public platforms - the pedestal. Her work is so good that it doesn't deserve over-enthusiastic idolatory, this sort of video reminds us that she is still one of us and our admiration remains intact.

  • Even the great and the good, which Newsom is in equal parts, deserve to have the piss gently taken from them. It's a bit of a cruel thing to do consistantly venerating someone. I think Absurdmusic's attitude towards these heroes is healthy. More please

  • I'll need some free time first. This videos can take a while.

  • loooove this! made me laugh!! LOL

  • seriously? do something better with your time. she is.

  • so did you like or....?

    i kinda missed the point somewhere, i guess.

    but i like her sounds, she reminds me of an appalachian folk-singer, like you would hear on an old alan lomax library of congress record.

    yeah, she's weird though.

  • She IS an elf. Maybe in the elf world her lyrics make sense. Anyway, I love her.

  • ignorance perpetuates the creation of shit (i.e. what's in your cd player currently)

    stop pretending you know what art is and donate your senses to someone who knows how to use them.

    (fight fire with fire)

  • ..Stop pretending to sound important.

  • Shes a lovely artist that deserves to be appreciated.

  • She's the cutest thing I've ever seen.

    Weaving through smokey milky moons and cosmia circles

    This video was a bit misunderstood

    She is lovely

  • "ambition came and reared its head and went far from you!"

    I love this song and this video is so misunderstood. Thank you for making it, she does have weird ears.

  • hahah dude your an idiot i cant believe you tryed to make a point here..

  • haha dude totally im an idiot your so smrt lets make out

  • great video! i love that song

  • She's fantastic. I liked the video, but david_djd

  • Also, here's a definition for you:

    harpist (n) : a person who plays a harp

  • Look up this word for me too: humor.

  • Oh no! I'm too stupid to comprehend something brilliant! I better post a video making fun of it so I feel smarter!!

  • You are? I don't see your video.

  • Oh snap!

  • she is beautiful and brilliant....

  • Dirge for the dead to empty bed I think comments on the artists' disposition while seeking and failing to find much inspiration, and no, I don't get the mollusk wedding part. She piles meanings on top of one another and is so obscure and off in her own thoughts and feelings that she can be very hard to follow, but that is part of the fun of listening to her lyrics.

  • This is, of course not the case, she restrains herself from going to far out from her inspiration; though in the song she credits this to "the master". She seems to look down on the 'great American novels' as having some such faults- or she is just upset they are so often banned, I can't decide; but either way, she credits them for making the attempt. That covers just about everything except mollusk weddings to empty bed.

  • Later she expresses frustration at the moment when this creative force is exhausted by ambition; she laments how animals in the wild seem to move with grace and as such fulfill their purpose, or at least do what they do with ease; where as, the human, or artist, only acts with such ease in fleeting moments. She worries that this makes her a poetaster, or a person playing at being an artist, rather than a person that is truly inspired.

  • This is a song about being inspired (or not) and the creative process of writing something worth being written- something that will inspire. She starts by calling out her muse, while doubting if she deserves her; and then, she qualifies that worthiness. She seems to emphasize the act of communing with an inspirational moment as being the birth place of creativity. It is that moment that might inspire a light be lit that deserves devotion unswerving.

  • make more of these

    about newsom

    i love the dictionary with the sing along

    do that more

    (i actually think that this is about the easiest of her songs to interpret)

  • You're a douche.

  • To say this woman is insulting to my ears is like saying that Hitler was insulting to the Jews.

  • What

    The

    Hell

    was the best part!  Cheers mate!

  • I'm sure she'd have a good giggle at that!

  • She should watch it!

  • Love the music, big fan of Newsom. Entertaining video as well.

  • Thank you.

    I still laugh at the std's part. I don't know if that's good or bad.

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