9 Crimes

        So to continue from my last post in regards to depicting the hidden meanings or the subtext within any film or song I would like to take a look at Damian Rice’s song and music video entitled “9 crimes”.  This song is a very emotional, personal piece.  In order to discuss the analysis or subtext of the song I would like to post the video. I would also like to point out to not only listen to the lyrics but watch the video I think the visual representation is very deep in meaning as well.

      First I would like to discuss the meaning behind the text. If you would like to follow along by reading the text it is available here. The song symbolizes two people who have come together and are cheating on there partners. As you find through out the song there are several metaphors, one from the top of the song that they both sing is “leave me out with the waste, this is not what I do.” This line alone symbolizes how this is something so trashy or that by doing this act of cheating it creates of feeling of the dumps.  As the song goes on they also continue by singing “is that alright dear to give my gun away when its loaded, you don’t shoot it how am I suppose to hold it?” The gun is a symbol of their hearts, as they sing this line through out the song they are trying to ask their significant other for permission to continue their act of cheating. 

      Now if you take a look at the visual concept of the video, I love how in the beginning we first see the female with no head laying by the dumpster, from there the male comes into play, and if you watch closely he follows her as she begins to float away, once he turns to give up or follow his conscience, knowing that cheating is wrong she then begins to float down to his level and lets him attach to her string as he guilds her along her way, just as if they are now committed to each other in a hidden relationship. The last major portion of the music video we see that children come into play and because of their actions they not only pop the ballooned women but shatter her to pieces, you can argue that the children may represent outside sources or a possible pregnancy that lead to the couples revealing of the affair.