Re: "On the Border" Anniversary Appreciation Thread
Well, at the risk of sounding pompous, every relationship is a two way street, and the woman's perspective and feelings should be just as important and worthy of discussion as the man's. It takes two to either succeed or fail. In this song the man thinks the woman is entirely to blame, as you put it, for the relationship breaking down, so of course he's describing it as he sees it. But there has to be more to it than that.
Re: "On the Border" Anniversary Appreciation Thread
I can understand why some folks would argue that if she deserves it, it's not sexist to call her on it, but rare is the time when truly one person is entirely to blame! But that's just my perspective and everyone else's is just as valid.
Re: "On the Border" Anniversary Appreciation Thread
I absolutely agree with you both 100% on that the majority of the time it's both involved.
Re: "On the Border" Anniversary Appreciation Thread
I've got yet another interpretation of the lyrics of the song. IMO, I don't think he is putting the blame all on the woman. At the very point in the song where the "try a little harder" starts, he switches over talking about himself. The lines are:
I can't live with you baby, can't live without it
And sometimes I believe in love
Sometimes I doubt it
But your life goes on
Like a broken down carousel
Where somebody left the music on
The "try a little harder" could apply to the man or the woman. As I said earlier, to me, he is just lamenting over the fact that the relationship isn't working out for either of them.
In any event, as we've often said, good songwriters leave the lyrics open for different interpretations. There's not supposed to be a right or wrong.
Re: "On the Border" Anniversary Appreciation Thread
Well this morning while I've been catching up here on the board, I put On the Border in the CD player, and cranked it up. Yep - I definitely love this album. And BTW, since YNCLAL has been the focus of so much discussion, I listened to it twice. I really like the song, and always forget to mention the awesome guitar. And I don't care what Don Henley says, BOML is NOT whiny - it's gorgeous. :wink:
Re: "On the Border" Anniversary Appreciation Thread
Well, I dug out the cd and listened to it twice this afternoon while on a trip to the grocery store. I'd forgotten some of these songs. I really listened to them and found I really pretty much like all of them. The favorites are the same. Midnight Flyer is my least favorite, nearly getting skipped on the second listen. It's just too much banjo and Ooooooooo, oooooooo's for me.
But My Man is so pretty. Nearly brought me to tears. I love that line 'Like a flower, he bloomed 'til that old hickory wind called him home'. Awwwwww. :-(
YNCLAL, even though it is a bit sexist, I still like it.
Re: "On the Border" Anniversary Appreciation Thread
I don't see how YNCLAL is sexist
Re: "On the Border" Anniversary Appreciation Thread
Now that our week is coming to a close, I gave OTB a listen from start to finish and I really enjoyed it. It's a great album!
Re: "On the Border" Anniversary Appreciation Thread
I agree, I also enjoyed it from start to finish. Side Note, Nancy I love your new Avatar :inlove:
Re: "On the Border" Anniversary Appreciation Thread
I loved the way we celebrated the 35th anniversary "On the Border" week here on The Border and particularly in this thread. It was a fun, interesting, and informative thread. It was also a good opportunity to go back and listen to the entire album as several of us did, and reflect on what a great piece of work the band created during an important 'transition' period in its history.