Sunday, May 16, 2010

A Sunday Smile

What is it with all the songs about Sundays?

"A Sunday Smile" by Beirut
"Sunday  Morning" by not only the Velvet Underground but Maroon 5 and No Doubt

Okay so I didn't exactly make a comprehensive list, but that's more than I can say for songs about Wednesday or for that matter Friday or Saturday, the other days in the weekend. I guess the spirit of those weekend days are probably just incorporated under all "club songs."

Though Sunday was usually the time of the week to go to Church and pay respect to God, its role has deviated somewhat to a restful time to spend with lovers or family. So though not as many people are going to Church on Sundays as they did 50 years ago in America, its purpose remains rooted in tradition - time to be at peace with people you love! awww!

Songs have different meanings for people... like memories they can be tied to an event or person in someone's life. Have you ever noticed that groups of friends often share a love for a particular band even though they may have divergent tastes in music overall? The original intent/meaning of the song matters to the lyricist himself/herself. When a listener/fan gives a song meaning in their life, that's where the magic happens!
If you look at the lyrics of some of the songs I mentioned it's interesting to see how the writers juxtapose Sunday's traditional meaning in our culture with their own sentiments.
--Lou Reed is feeling restless and looking back at all the wasted years.
--Zach Condon describes his love's smile as a Sunday smile which you could take to mean a few things (I personally think of peaceful) and alludes to the sky and a white church in his song.
--Adam Levine's song is more happy and details happy times with someone he loved, though like the previous two songs it's about longing for something missed or lost.

So Sundays also foster memories for people and things lost?


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