Shadowfeet
Today in the office, we had a friendly-ish discussion. It was explained to me that the reason I don't have a CD (barring the obvious lack of talent and the "it" factor, not an utter lack of talent simply not-recording worthy) is because of my inability to think outside the proverbial box. First of all, get out of the box and call it a circle or something. Get out of your circle would be a "creative" way to say the same thing. Then people would think you are talking about an Altell commercial or something, so maybe not. I digress (such a box-dweller's word for a transition back to the topic at hand), this discussion came up with my opinion that Brooke Fraser chose a ridiculous title for her song, "Shadowfeet."
Here's a video of the song:
Here are the lyrics:
Walking, stumbling on these shadowfeet
Toward home, a land that I've never seen
I am changing
Less and less asleep
Made of different stuff than when I began
And I have sensed it all along
Fast approaching is the day
When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
When time and space are through
I'll be found in you
There's distraction buzzing in my head
Saying in the shadows it's easier to stay
But I've heard rumours of true reality
Whispers of a well-lit way
When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
When time and space are through
I'll be found in you
You make all things new
My thoughts and opinions:
She was apparently proud of her made-up word and decided that would be a cute title. I, being the opinionated box-dweller, felt as though the song would be better served to have the title "Found in You" the hook line of the chorus or maybe "All Things New" the bridge. I'm speaking simply from a marketing standpoint. Mind you, I am not a marketer, but have done so before. Granted, if I were great at it, maybe I would still be doing it. Regardless, here's my humble, amateur thought:
First of all, that title is unattractive. Sure, it is slightly intriguing, but unattractive enough, in my opinion, to negate the intrigue. Only because I knew the artist, was I even vaguely interested. Upon hearing the song, I never even noticed the word "shadowfeet" in the lyric. What rang out to me were the obvious hooks. Is it boxy for me to want her to title her song in such a way that the name of it is as pleasant as the song itself? Why wouldn't she want to make the message more plain and simple, and in so doing make it more accessible. Perhaps, she doesn't want "everyone" to hear the song or "everyone" to get her music. Perhaps. But if she desires to be exclusive and limited in her reach, why then does she need a deal with Sony? Be underground and creative and sell to your hundreds, I say.
I understand that I am a completely unimaginative, uncreative person, but I stand by my belief that the title is ridiculous. Now, you could argue that I am simple. I agree. You could even say, I'm not creative. Also true. But, I do want to know what you say. Please chime in and share your opinion of my thoughts and/or your opinion of the song and/or it's title. Where do you stand on "shadowfeet?" Get it? Stand . . . feet? I kill me. So, to the Bob's of this world, I challenge you. Convince me, with or without insulting me, why this is a fitting and worthy title.
