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Around the Internet => Mustachianism Around the Web => Topic started by: Mustafina on November 28, 2013, 10:26:17 PM

Title: Stoicism in Song - Fiona Apple
Post by: Mustafina on November 28, 2013, 10:26:17 PM
I've been listening to Fiona Apple lately and noticed that Extraordinary Machine was an excellent example of stoicism and hedonic adaptation.  Just replace foot with bike and its pure mustachianism ;). 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWhMrLae-7Y&list=PLC09472DEDE1C5CC7 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWhMrLae-7Y&list=PLC09472DEDE1C5CC7)

Lyrics:

I certainly haven't been shopping for any new shoes
And
I certainly haven't been spreading myself around
I still only travel by foot
And by foot it's a slow climb
But I'm good at being uncomfortable, so
I can't stop changing all the time

I noticed that my opponent is always on the go
And won't go slow so as not to focus, and I notice
He'll hitch a ride with any guide
As long as they go fast from whence he came
But he's no good at being uncomfortable, so
He can't stop staying exactly the same

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me
Or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it
I'm an extraordinary machine

I seem to you to seek a new disaster every day
You deem me doomed to clean my view
And be at peace and lay
I mean to prove I mean to move in my own way
And say I've been getting along
For long before you came into the play

I am the baby of the family, it happens
So
Everybody cares
And wear the sheep's clothes while they chaperone
Curious, you're looking down your nose at me
While you appease
Courteous to try and help
But let me set your mind at ease

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me
Or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it
I'm an extraordinary machine

Do I so worry you?
No need to hurry to my side
That's very kind
But it's to no avail
I don't want the veil of flowers, no
Everything will be just fine

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me
Or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it
I'm an extraordinary machine
Title: Re: Stoicism in Song - Fiona Apple
Post by: sheepstache on November 30, 2013, 06:19:31 PM
Cool interpretation.

It hit me a few years into listening to her that one of the things I really like is her sense of personal responsibility.  Particularly in the songs about relationships, she's so apart from the trend of complaining about SOs and exes.  Instead, the message is "I'm miserable and maybe it's because this person has done something bad but hey it's ultimately my fault for sticking with the relationship."  So refreshing.  And smart too, because it makes her persona very likeable.