Song Stories: Cell
Cell has multiple layers of meaning. I hesitate to talk about what it means to me, because, it’s more important what it means to you. I think it’s okay though if I discuss a few themes and references I was thinking about when I was writing. And I’ll note that this was a song that I wrote on the guitar, which is not my usual process, it just came out and needed to exist in that way.
Cell: What does that mean? A biological cell? A prison cell? A cell phone? In short – yes. All of those. A fundamental small unit. An isolated structure. That can be interconnected with others.
So I would say it’s a song that explores how we can be both isolated and interconnected.
And yes, there is an intentional nod to the old cell phone commercials. It’s a reference, not the point of the whole song though. In a way, what made that commercial work is also a motivating force in this song, that feeling of loss of connection can be quite powerful. Are my words being received? Am I heard?
Here are the minimalist lyrics:
Hello friend, are you there? Are you there? Can you hear me?
Can you hear me now?
Good bye friend, I’ll call again. Or is this the end?
I’ll post here two versions. A rough early version I posted on youtube, in which you can see me playing (and part of my head singing). And a more elaborate version that is on my album Hear The Light, in collaboration with Tina Chancey who plays an amazing extended solo on rebec (a medieval stringed instrument) that merges so well.
