Have you ever liked a song so much that you listen to it a gazillion times and you think you have the song all figured out, then years pass and you grow out of that song and move on to other songs until one day you hear the same old song again, but suddenly something in that old, tricky song has shifted and a whole new world of meaning opens?
Of course, it’s the listener that’s changed, not the song, right? Hmmmm…or is it?
No man ever steps into the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.
–Heraclitus
Or perhaps it’s the zeitgeist that changed. On a grand scale, I think this happened in the collective consciousness with the song, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” on the wake of the “Me Too Movement.” What seems like the innocent flirtation of one era turns into nefarious intent in another era.
Recently I experienced a song’s shift (in a good way) when I heard Madonna’s “Vogue.” ‘What just happened here? ‘ I wondered to myself after hearing the song with these 2020 ears. There was a lot more depth there than I remembered there being in 1990 when I first heard it. (Can y’all believe that song is 30 years old now?!) I had to go look up the lyrics and then the etymology of the word “vogue” to discover that in addition to the “fashion forward” meaning of the word, it’s also a boating term indicating the “drift, swaying motion (of a boat).” It’s from Old French voguer, meaning “to row, sway, set sail.” [according to vogue | Search Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com)]
So this week in my classes we are going on a sailing adventure.
All you need is your own imagination
So use it that’s what it’s for
Go inside for your finest inspiration
Your dreams will open the door
-Shep Pettibone & Madonna/Vogue

8 comments
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December 28, 2020 at 6:10 pm
Cathy
Look at you being all artsy!
December 28, 2020 at 8:35 pm
Lunar Euphoria
“What are you lookin at? (Strike a pose)”
mhm!
January 11, 2021 at 1:14 am
stitchedinstone
That’s a beautiful illustration. I love it! BTW I gave my copy of the Sacred Medicine book you recommended to a friend before I really got a chance to read it but it went to the right person and I thank you for the “magic” and sometime soon I will order a copy for me. She had been reading about the symbolism and mythology of plants… somehow I knew your book recommendation should go to her.
I am not sure what you are saying about the #MeToo movement in your post… I need more context… I need to lookup your references…
But your Merrily Merrily Merrily life is but a dream, row row row your boat is indeed showing.
rather provocative!
Happy New Year to you. Peace and good will to you also!
January 17, 2021 at 4:22 pm
Lunar Euphoria
Thank you. I’m glad the book found a home.
In the post, I was referring to how societal norms changed the shading of the lyrics in the song “Baby it’s Cold Outside” for some. What was considered light-hearted, playful flirtation in one era took on a date-rapey vibe in the context of another era.
January 25, 2021 at 4:37 am
stitchedinstone
I appreciate the FYI on that thanks. I haven’t listened to that song before. I think I stopped paying attention to Madonna sometime after her Vogue days. The “sexual revolution” that helped “liberate” women in the feminist movement becomes complicated. Many think Hugh Heffner and his playboy bunnies were part of women’s liberation as much it was our bondage. Madonna always owned her sexuality much like Mae West did, so I think she’s still a relevant feminist voice, even if I don’t personally enjoy her music or acting anymore. Thanks for the forum and for your reply! You are always inspiring.
January 11, 2021 at 1:31 am
stitchedinstone
I hope you find this link helpful and informative, as I do and find out, if you don’t know already, that Tarana Burkes is the real force behind #MeToo
https://girlpoweracademy.wordpress.com/2018/12/07/tarana-burkes-ted-talk-me-too-is-a-movement-not-a-moment-is-a-girl-power-academy-recommendation/the
Much love to you! I am so glad I discovered your blog way back when I did. U are a gem.
January 11, 2021 at 1:35 am
stitchedinstone
I’m sorry if that link doesn’t send you to the right post. I checked it and it didn’t send you at all to the right post! One more try and I don’t mean to clutter you up. If it doesn’t work I apologize. I don’t know what is wrong with the wordpress stuff. Anyhow… Happy New Year to You and Love to you.
https://girlpoweracademy.wordpress.com/2018/12/07/tarana-burkes-ted-talk-me-too-is-a-movement-not-a-moment-is-a-girl-power-academy-recommendation/
January 17, 2021 at 4:47 pm
Lunar Euphoria
Thank you for sharing the link. I just finished watching it. I like how she differentiated between “Me too” and “#metoo”