Ahh, the song "Troy" by Sinead O'Connor. It's a fabulous song and one in which I blame for shaping (or maybe reshaping) the way I listened to music.
I can't recall exactly when I first heard it, but I'm guessing it was about 89-90. In 86, I was 18-years-old and a teen mom. My daughter was almost 2-years-old and I was trying to forge out some sort of career for myself. It didn't exactly work, and when I look back at those years, I tend to remember more about the fun I had, the dates I went on, and the friends and acquaintances I met, rather than my time working or going to hair school. I was in Boston and "alternative" music was in with the kids defying tradition, only that wasn't what we called it back then. It was just very clear that the music you listened to really defined you- could easily make you accepted or rejected by certain cliques- and for me- my taste of music was definitely cutting edge- indie/college favorites that were viewed as "underground" "rebellious" maybe a bit punk- but those that challenged the rules of society.
And there was Sinead.
Here I am, at 43-years-old, and my choice in music is still "on the edge" I guess you can say. Honestly, I deplore most of what is played on a radio and I really don't like listening to anything considered "contemporary" regardless of the genre--and I guess I can attribute some of that to Sinead.
She was so unique and original, and not just because she was Irish and I was a Bostonian girl trying to figure out who I was- she was genuinely original. It permeated through every song she wrote and unleashed like a tempest on the world. Her uniqueness seeped through every performance. It was rebellious and refreshing. It was a middle finger in your face playing to a background of harmonious melodies that would suddenly turn to growls, then just as quickly return to sugary-sweet smoothness.
It was unlike anything I ever heard before, and honestly, unlike anything I've heard since.
Sure, there have been some that have "arisen from the flames" in some comparison to Sinead. Mostly is Alanis Morissette- and it seems whenever there is a demand for an artist (music or Hollywood) and something knocks that person from their rightful spot, there is always "another" waiting in the wings to take their place.
Don't believe me? Go ask Lindsay Lohan.
So to me, when I listen to "Troy," I am instantly transported back in time- to my youth- to my days of college music and figuring out where I wanted to go with my life- while at the same time embracing this "rebellious" side of me that wanted to give society the middle finger as well.
Sinead O'Connor will always be my favorite artist- and I have more stories to share- many of which may just seem so unbelievable but are a true part of my history.
It's amazing how we mark monumental events in our lives with music, isn't it? For me, I can associate music with different parts of my past- I remember what I listened to when I was a pregnant teen, when I was coming of age and a runaway, when I made it through high school, when I went into the U.S. Army, and when I left at the beginning of the first Iraq war.
For most of it, Sinead has been there. Not in person, but her music has played a significant part in the soundtrack of my life.
Maybe I'll have some Sinead playing during my funeral...how about "Stretched on your grave." That might be a mind-bender and throw things out of whack...lol..
I like it...
Just might do it...
Here is the song that for me, is the epitome of college, underground music in Boston, Massachusetts back when I was young.
"Troy"
Lyrics by Sinead O'Connor
I remember it--
Dublin in a rainstorm, ah.
Sitting in the long grass in the summer,
Keeping warm.
I remember it--
Every restless night.
We were so young then
We thought that everything
That we could possibly do was right.
And we moved,
Stolen from our very eyes.
And I wondered where you went to.
And tell me, when did the light die?
You will rise,
You'll return, ah, ah.
The phoenix from the flame.
You will learn,
You will rise,
You'll return,
Being what you are.
There is no other Troy for you to burn, ah.
I never meant to hurt you,
I swear I didn't mean those things I said.
I never meant to do that to you;
Next time, I'll keep my hands to myself instead.
Oh, does she love you?
What do you want to do?
Does she need you like I do, oh?
Do you love her?
Is she good for you?
Does she hold you like I do, whoah, aah, ooh, oh-oh?
Do you want me?
Should I leave?
I know you're always telling me that you love me,
But just sometimes I wonder if I should believe.
Oh, I love you.
God, I love you.
I'd kill a dragon for you,
I'll die.
But I will rise,
And I will return
The phoenix from the flame.
I have learned,
I will rise.
And you'll see me return,
Being what I am.
There is no other Troy for me to burn, ah.
Well, you should have left the light on,
You should have left the light on,
Then I wouldn't have tried, and you'd never have known.
Well, I wouldn't have pulled you tighter,
No, I wouldn't have pulled you close,
I wouldn't have screamed, "No! I can't let you go"
If the door wasn't closed.
No, I wouldn't have pulled you to me,
No, I wouldn't have kissed your face.
You wouldn't have begged me to hold you
If we hadn't been there in the first place.
Whoa, but I know you wanted me to be there, oh, oh,
Every look that you threw told me so.
Oh, but you should have left the light on.
You should have left the light on.
Ah, oh-ooh, oh,
Ah, oh-ooh, oh,
But the flame burned away, but you're still spitting fire,
Made no difference what you say,
You're still a liar,
You're still a liar,
You're still a liar.
