3 replies to this topic

[GuitarGuy2387]

I’m taking a Theories of Popular Culture class this semester and we’ve been discussing Lacan, Freud, Althusser, and several other psychoanalytical theorists. I’m almost certain that this song was written after Frusciante either read, studied, or otherwise investigated Lacanian psychoanalytical theory. With that in mind, I’d like to offer a different reading of the song. At first glance, this appears to be a struggle with substance abuse, and the reoccurring memories and shamefulness that corresponds with it. However, when put into a psychoanalytical context, this text springs to life in an entirely different way and perhaps demonstrates even more so, the genius of John Frusciante.

“The Real” a category established by Jacques Lacan, can only be understood in connection with the categories of the symbolic and the imaginary. Defined as what escapes the symbolic or representation, “The Real” can be neither spoken no written. Thus it is related to the impossible, defined as “that which never ceases to write itself.” And because it cannot be reduced to meaning, “The Real” does not end itself any more readily to univocal imaginary representation than it does to symbolization. “The Real” situates the symbolic and the imaginary in their respective positions.

This song seems to struggle with this notion that, according to these theorists, we can never truly be ourselves. The discrepancy between “The Real” and “Human Reality” (what we perceive) can never be assuaged. I believe that John’s lyrics reflect that sentiment. There are also other allusions to the Mirror Stage theory by Lacan as well. In fact, the entire album (appropriately named “Curtains”) appears to be Frusciante’s attempt to tackle this business of Lacanian theory and the fact that Human existence is bound by restraints that keep us trapped within the confines of our own existence.

Throughout the entire album there are references to disassociation, not knowing who you are, not being who you are, losing who you are, as well as thoughts of blending, bending, and warping reality and time in a vain effort to bridge this gap. The whole alum has a sense of irreparable sorrow, which one may arrive at after fully realizing the notions of some of Lacan’s theory. Laced with his beautifully crafted music and vocal tracks, that audibly “re-present” the agony of his words, I think it may be safe to say that there is definitely more to this album that perhaps many of us previously though.

Now, I’ll break down several of my favorite moments in the song:


__________________________________________________ ______________

I don't know the real from what I thought I saw. (the idea that “The Real” is a separate experience from our reality)
I can't remember where I went, where I was. (contrary the idea that this is related to substance abuse, I think Frusciante refers here to again this gap between the perceived world and our own existence)
I'm gunna move towards a point in time (literally breaching the realm of time, because time itself is an invention by those who abide by its rules)
Where you are is a state of mind (this idea that human reality is created to an extent that your position is life is directly related and bound to your own vision of yourself)

And any time I can read your thoughts
Some of them yours and some I thought up (his idea that thoughts communicate seamlessly through space/time, yet still knowing that by partaking in this activity he fabricates part of (the whole of) reality)
There's no good reason for heartbreak
Nothing's repeating every Monday
It's no good saying you'll always be mine (if all of life is but a blissful, meaningless existence)
These jokes life's playing they make me so tired (accepting the fact that life is one giant mirage of uncertainty)

It's already too much to always see you off (love the beautiful harmonies of these next few lines but there meanings elude me)
The sense that hours go back is enough
I like to fade when I write this line
There's every reason to paint decline
And every mile I walk is five (might as well be five because in reality he is going nowhere)
I'll get where I'm going in the next life (could express hope that there actually is something waiting on the other side)

And all the while there's a false face (I like to think this is a reference to the mirror stage where one first acknowledges his own image in the mirror but knows that that image is both him and not him at the same time, a false face. It is this fake image that the person then attempts to live up to and complete throughout their life)
This every killing is left untraced
This kind of falling saved my son
This constant longing's for what's gone (whats gone or he never had to begin with)

[dakini]

This is really cool, and I can see the correlation really clearly. Always loved Lacan. That said, though my take on this song/album in particular and John's work in general is very similar, I tend to frame it in more classically Buddhist terms because that's the angle from which I've always approached Emptiness, and John's made several direct references to Alistair Crowley who was profoundly influenced by Vajrayana Buddhism. But, ultimately it all goes back to the same gist, which is hard to vocalize well except through metaphoric/poetic devices.

[Automatic Writing]

See if you can do a project on this, I've analyzed John's lyrics in a couple philosophy classes and my teachers loved it. That being said, I think John's always mentioned that the interpretation of a song, and particularly his songs, are always personal. What a song means to him is different than what it means to me is different than what it means to you. That being said, I found your analysis enlightening and very similar to how I viewed the lyrics.

[GuitarGuy2387]

Thanks guys, I was beginning to think no one actually cared (and this is a Frusciante forum after all!). I agree that John keeps his meanings to himself and encourages others to find their own meaning to his work, but I can't help but try and get inside that brilliant mind of his. I love reading/thinking about his lyrics like this!