The Summer-Obama connection?

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euphoria
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After listening to videos/recordings from the recent Lund and Stockholm gigs, Summer is introduced as "This is for Barack Obama" (Lund) and "Stand up if you like Obama" (Stockholm). Maybe he has said something similar at other gigs? Does anybody have any idea what this might be about?

Andrew disappointed by him, but still hasn't given up completely? "another shade of you, could make it summer" etc.

wondering...
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markfiend
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Given the theory that Summer is about domestic violence, I'm not 100% sure it's looking too hot for Barry O in :von:'s opinion.
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euphoria
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:lol:

Aha, interesting...but if :von: hasn't made the scoop of the decade I'm more inclined to believe it has to do with being disillusioned by a partner, and only blaming the partner, not yourself ( :von: ) A bit simplified, but I *think* I read something to that effect a long long time ago (in GPS?)
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markfiend
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:lol: I think I failed to explain myself correctly.

My train of thought was that Summer is (or might be) about domestic violence, :von: is dedicating it to Obama, therefore :von: thinks that someone should beat the living **** out of Mr President.

But yeah, disillusionment with a lover actually fits the situation a lot better, I think you're right.
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panzerfaust
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excuse me please, can like somehow explain your theory - why should be Summer about domestic violence?!
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Ozpat
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panzerfaust wrote:excuse me please, can like somehow explain your theory - why should be Summer about domestic violence?!
And if not please explain why it should not be about domestic violence.
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Being645
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Ozpat wrote:
panzerfaust wrote:excuse me please, can like somehow explain your theory - why should be Summer about domestic violence?!
And if not please explain why it should not be about domestic violence.
I don't think it's about domestic violence ... rather an effigy of a typical mummy's boy ... :wink: ...
cruel enough a dreamer, though, unceasingly expecting, demanding ... and failing ... basking in despair ...
But this is still a simplification ...

Lyricswise, it could even be about domestic violence, but I've never heard Von sing it that way ...
He keeps entirely to the self-centered perception aspect, I think.
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markfiend
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panzerfaust wrote:excuse me please, can like somehow explain your theory - why should be Summer about domestic violence?!
See this thread.
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
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Being645
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markfiend wrote:
panzerfaust wrote:excuse me please, can like somehow explain your theory - why should be Summer about domestic violence?!
See this thread.
Given this, I see that the repeated now, now, now ... does reflect the dynamics of beating ... yeah, and perfectly, as a matter of fact.
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TheGoodSon
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Isn´t Romeo Down also about domestic violence...?
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TheGoodSon wrote:Isn´t Romeo Down also about domestic violence...?
That or venereal disease, I suppose.
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I always feel hesitant to write about the lyrics on the off chance that Von might see it and lose any remaining hope in the fanbase... but here goes.

I think Summer depicts the dramatic person mocking another with the idea that the other person doing herself up (makeup comes in Sunset Yellow - but then so do pills) would change her hollowness or the facts of the outside world (paint the walls away; make it summer). Meanwhile the music portrays the days speeding by "like a freight train painted in the shiniest of yellows and blues" as she stumbles through life in a meaningless haze of colour. (as a side note, I like how in the chorus time seems to stop as if for a caress of the cheek, then resumes the freight train howl)

It seems you could look at Obama's empty promises or his struggle with other influences in American politics (as it relates to, for example... the PIPELINE controversy - and other obvious issues) through the lens of this metaphor.

The ironic reference to Shakespeare "Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious Summer" seems applicable to the American political split as well as to the original subject of the song, especially in the context of the full metaphor.

On a basic level, "We're talking at each other / walking into walls / walking into wishful / I've seen it all before" is easy to connect to the same unfruitful political situation.
Last edited by centurionofprix on 24 Nov 2011, 16:45, edited 2 times in total.
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euphoria
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centurionofprix wrote: The ironic reference to Shakespeare "Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious Summer" seems applicable to the American political split as well as to the original subject of the song, especially in the context of the full metaphor.

On a basic level, "We're talking at each other / walking into walls / walking into wishful / I've seen it all before" is easy to connect to the same unfruitful political situation.
Wow, thank you centurionofprix, now we're getting somewhere :)

I'm still curious if Obama has been mentioned before Summer at other concerts this year...
And re: Meaning of Summer, further above, I'm not convinced about the domestic violence meaning, the song is for me one of the clearer songs, about a doomed relationship, e.g. "it's raining in the doorway, you paint your face once more" is simply his girlfriend crying and hence thereafter putting on new makeup/pretending everything is fine. Or is that too down-to-earth to be :von: ? :wink:
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stufarq
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Maybe the song's got nothing to do with Obama. Maybe Von just wanted to dedicate a song to him.
Any more of that and we'll be round your front door with the quick-setting whitewash and the shaved monkey.
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panzerfaust
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even after reading this 'wishful thinking' analysis thread which is not really convincing...i found the idea that Eldritch would write about 'domestic violence' really ridiculous and too cheap for his skills.
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Being645
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panzerfaust wrote:even after reading this 'wishful thinking' analysis thread which is not really convincing...i found the idea that Eldritch would write about 'domestic violence' really ridiculous and too cheap for his skills.
What is cheap in writing about domestic violence? AFAIR, violence has always been an issue in Sisters lyrics ... :eek: ...
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robertzombie
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He tied Dominion and Summer together nicely at the Round House: It will never (reign) again.
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Perhaps Von just thought : "I'll insert an Obama reference to give those nutjobs at Heartland something to talk about"? ;D

(Yes, the term 'nutjobs' is used in the kindest cynical way possible :twisted: )
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:lol: :notworthy: :lol:
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
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Ahráyeph wrote:Perhaps Von just thought : "I'll insert an Obama reference to give those nutjobs at Heartland something to talk about"? ;D

(Yes, the term 'nutjobs' is used in the kindest cynical way possible :twisted: )
it's funny coz it's true ;D
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euphoria
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Ahráyeph wrote:Perhaps Von just thought : "I'll insert an Obama reference to give those nutjobs at Heartland something to talk about"? ;D
That's of course a possibility :oops:

But oh well, what is there to talk about anyway regarding this band? :P
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euphoria wrote:I'm still curious if Obama has been mentioned before Summer at other concerts this year...
He's been making similar comments before 'Summer' & 'Dominion' for a few years now, especially during the 2008 US gigs, with 'Dominion' representing 'pre-obama' & 'Summer' as 'post-obama'. Before 'Summer' at the recent London gig he said "It's all good, we have an intelligent and articulate president...it will never rain again". I'm guessing he was been sincere but it could have been irony on his part. He does seem somewhat fixated with the US regime.
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moses
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I don't see why he even bothers to reference Obama, at Von's age he should know that politically motivated songs are so passe because we are all aware of what a bunch of useless c**t politicians are and if anyone believes the next one to arrive then more fool them. I prefer it when he sings about drugs and sex.
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euphoria
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Methedrone wrote:He does seem somewhat fixated with the US regime.
Indeed. Obsessed, when I think about reviews from the Ocean to Ocean tour.
Now that I think about it, it could almost be worth a thread of its own ;D
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"they're not that stealthy when they're parked on your lawn"

von discussing the US stealth bombers on british soil, before 'romeo down' at toronto docks 1999, i think...
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