Rufus Wainwright

[marshlander]

I haven't seen this thread till now. I've been a fan of his father's music for forty years or more and while I am filled with admiration for what Rufus has, in compositional and in performance terms, both attempted and achieved I find a little of the sound of his voice goes a very long way for me. :frown:

I'm intrigued by the imagery in this song and I'm not sure Spoty's OP was fully answered. I wonder if RW is presenting us with mixed images of a motorcycle road trip (the Volta is an electric motorcycle ...) and reference to two love affairs? As someone who once rode a bike I can see why all the pearls of China fade in comparison with the joy of a ride in the sun. A beeline could be a mix of images about travelling to places by the shortest distance and the poison of a bee-sting. Only an ex-lover can experience the deepest hurt. Which side of the street do we walk - gay or straight? Save your poison for someone who is on your side. One way is Rome, the other is Mecca, a geographical possibility from Greece, but both places are centres of homophobic religious belief, while Greece is famous in both history and mythology for same sex love. Barnes and Noble - the bookshop, "Where Angels Fear To Tread" - the novel by E.M. Forster. The action takes place in Italy and involves seduction by both people and climate as well as a beating. Perhaps where angels fear to tread is a quasi-religious reference to the love that dare not speak its name? Intriguing, and I'm probably reading too much into the song, but I like Rufus' compositions and arrangements. I just wish I could enjoy his (for me) rather one-dimensional singing a little more.