An Object Lession in the Distracting Power of Literal Meaning

[packbat]

Listen to this track.

(If the embed fails, you can find the track here.)

Now, consider the question: if you didn't see the video or know the referents of the words, if it were a straight audio recording called "Fuval Unccl Crbcyr" and sung in a language you couldn't understand, how would you evaluate the emotional content of the track? (Yes, please, listen to it again. I'll wait.)

Would it be, perhaps, wistful? Or hopeful? Or even ... unhappy, in parts, however cheery in others?

Hm.

Comments

[packbat.livejournal.com]

...a keen observation! The instrumental sections (save, possibly, the introduction before the tempo change) and vocals do contrast thus, although I think the accompaniment for the verse is more similar in tone to the vocals than to the bridge and chorus instrumentation.

(It does seem likely the contrast is intentional - it's too perfect to be a credible accident.)