Sylvian as lyricist/poet

[Astronaut]

I'm with you on this one Natasha I too believe it's a Sartre reference. In fact isn't the whole song a homage to him - the whole "Blood of a poet, ink in the well" along with Red Guitar "Iron in my soul" are all Sartre-isms ? Am I correct in saying that?

[anortherncod]

I know Wiki is a bit rubbish, but that rang a bell with me, and according to them the last in the Roads to Freedom trilogy was previously published in English as Iron In The Soul (now, Troubled Sleep). Blood Of A Poet is a Cocteau film - I read rather a lot of him too and that's another DS homage which is well-known, for example, Orpheus. Ink In The Well I think is just about giving Sartre, Cocteau and Sylvian something to write with!

Natasha

[Astronaut]

Ooops - getting Cocteau and Sartre muddled up again. Who was the guy who got run over by a laundry truck? OK - just remembered that was Barthes wasn't it? Or did he kill himself because his mother had just died? I get all confused with these Existentialist philospher-poet-artist-writer-director types ...

[anortherncod]

Again according to Wiki, Sartre died of a lung oedema and Cocteau of a heart attack. But seeing as how it's Wiki it could be the other way round...

Natasha

[Despair]

A really fascinating read ....thanx all.
Not to get too fussy, but i`ve always loved how he uses the same lines or similar, in different songs.
"taking islands in Africa" is the earliest example i can think of, and i still have no idea what that line means,in context of both the songs its used in.

My absolute fave lines come from the song `Damage` and its linking with `Thalheim` ...."and i hurt and i hurt and the damage is done" points to the disintegration of a relationship (Yuka?)
But this feeling seems resolved, having met Ingrid and time spent travelling around, with the song `Thalheim`......"The DAMAGE is undone, and love has made ya strong"

And finally his use of the imagery connected to `white lined roads`.

"my roads uncrossed, white lined and tarred" - Every Colour You Are

"Now it shines in my shadow And white lines my road" - Under Ingrids Wheels

"The fine white lines are leading to the station " - Endgame

Utter genius for me. His lyrics retaining a honed balance of simpliity, grandeur and intelligence !

[godisinthesilences]

here here Despair! I completely agree. His lyrics are simple and so elegant....