Beware, a bit of music nerdiness is ahead. Stop reading if that sounds boring.
In Mark Kozelek's version of "I Am a Rock", the arrangement makes for a different mood than the Simon and Garfunkle (S&G) version. It starts a bit more uppity and even happy, with bass, drums, and electric guitar all in pretty much from the start. His chord progression differences and melodic changes in verse one are unexpected, and it almost sounds like a chorus since the drums start eight note hits on the ride cymbal, but then it ends up leading very nicely into the real chorus. The chords and particularly the bass line do an upward moving progression during the chorus which causes a sense of anticipation, tension, and then release. The first half of verse two is characterized by some pretty accentuated hits on all of the beats by the high hat, and complimented by the bass guitar. Then it breaks that pattern for the 2 lines before the chorus, giving a sense of openness that leads in once again to the chorus which repeats the basic idea of the first chorus, with upward reaching vocals and bass lines. The first half of verse 3 is characterized by repetitive snare hits on beats "two-and" and beat 4. Again, the last 2 lines before the chorus break from that pattern, bringing on the anticipation. The third chorus is the same basic arrangement as the first two.
The song continues on in a similar way with verse 4 and chorus 4. The effect of all the instruments all the time gives a sense of being immersed and full, which is interesting since the lyrics of the song talk about being isolated and alone. The vocals are relaxed, pleasant, and soaring. The last line of the song: "And a rock feels no pain, and an island never cries" is repeated 4 times, with just sparse drums and electric guitar and some sort of synthesized xylophone or bells. This is stripped down and feels more intimate, even nostalgic or emotional, compared with the rocking full sound of the rest of the song. It's a sweet last minute of a song that Mark took to a different place. His version is a bit more floaty, peaceful, and happier than the S&G version of the song. Perhaps the sentiment "I am a Rock" is more true for Mark than it was for S&G. S&G's version seemed to be trying to tell the listener "I am a Rock! Don't you get it? I am an island! I am, I swear!" Mark's version seemed to make the same statement with a different tone, one of simply stating how things are: "I am a Rock, I am an island. That's just the way it is."
Either way, both versions are brilliant. I am going to try to do my own cover of a hybrid of S&G and Mark's version. If you're lucky, maybe I'll post a link to it here, somehow. Also, if you want to find Mark Kozelek's version, he did it with Red House Painters. Look them up on iTunes. The song is on their album "Red House Painters II".
Kerri,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your analysis of these two versions of the song. This kind of analysis really piques my interest and makes me listen more critically. Thought I’d try to push the dialogue on a bit by sharing some thoughts.
I think you did a masterful job of interpretation and analysis—especially of the S&G version of the song. While I’m not as familiar with either the Red House Painters or Mark Kozelek’s work—I’m listening to their version as I write this—it sparks some additional thoughts.
One of the things that strikes me about Kozelek’s version is the sort of “dreamy” sense that it has. S&G’s version, especially Garfunkel’s voice in the closing notes—has a nearly sinister and very close presence. When he sings, “and an island never cries,” I find it nearly threatening just in its nearness--too close! Kozelek’s voice is much more distant. I’m having trouble finding a good descriptive phrase for it, but the sense of being far away plus the comparatively heavy reverb seem to contribute to this “other worldly” feeling that I get.
Kozelek’s ending is fascinating. It is reminiscent of carnival or merry-go-round music with the switch to a triple rhythm after such a strong duple beat sounding like repeated hemiolas. This contributes to the other worldly feeling as well.
Kozelek’s interpretation of the chorus is also interestingly different. He sings, “I am a rock” pretty much like S&G do, but when he gets to, “I am an Island,” he actually sings, “I am an I island.” The second “I” sound, i.e. that on island, is in an ascending melodic phrase. It’s a step higher. Both of those features, the added syllable and the step up, emphasize the loner feeling being evoked.
One of the features of the song itself regardless of interpretation is the strong tonic feel to the melody. Especially in the chorus, almost all of the strong points in phrases of the chorus are on the tonic. “I am a rock” ends on the tonic in an ascending phrase. “I am an island” end on the tonic in a descending phrase. This nearly cadence like melodic phrasing provides a sense of strength, power, and finality. It is a true pronouncement!
I really like both versions for different reasons! Can’t wait to hear yours!
Thanks for introducing me to Kozelek’s music. Do you have other recommendations of things he has written?