My Hands Are Shakin’
Whenever this song is played on the radio, the bright guitar licks, as well as the sparkling harmonies of the voices are enchanting. Without question the lyrics are dark. Does the contrast give the tune its power?
Language conceals the complicated, many layered nuance of homo sapiens, the language-enabled-mammal. The story line has to do with thinly veiled seduction. Or so it seems to me. The narrator mentions that a partner is out of town, presenting opportunity to play the victim in order to elicit the sympathy of a younger female. It is suggested that empathy will develop into desire — to be consummated by a “one night stand.”
How slippery, ambiguous are the feelings of which we are capable.. I mean to say the body responds to the exterior “world” channeled by triggers common to all living species. Additionally habits learned, behavior patterns absorbed from the culture that nurtured us cause our responses to be predictable…
Is what we mean by reason, that developed ability to take the measure of one’s emotions, to direct our responses in awareness of the stakes involved?
Sometimes I think so. At other times, it is as if I know nothing.
And nothing is settled.
