There are not many songs, or singers for that matter, that affect me emotionally. In fact
I pride myself on not being one of the weak ones
that weep while watching a poignant film or crack at the sound of a
beautiful melody. It does not matter how apt or resonant the music is,
I simply will not let it happen.
So when I say that "first orgasm" as sung by Amanda
Palmer and performed by The Dresden Dolls reaches me to the core of
my being then you may just grasp how much I dig it. It means this song,
the words coming from Palmer's voice and the heart-wrenching piano
accompaniment, all combine into such a powerful tune that an average
uncouth guy in his mid twenties verging on the edge of fratbrodom is left in awe every time the song plays. It's as if I
remain frozen in time, in space, and all that exists around me ceases
to be. Listening to this song is, in fact, a special occasion, and I am
glad that such a song never makes it to the public airwaves because I shudder
to think what would happen if I should be struck by a "first orgasm"
attack on the public roadways. No mailbox or parked car would be safe.
Overly dramatic description of my own experiences with
the song aside, it really is a great listen. Palmer's voice is steady
and unbelievably beautiful, and she certainly holds her notes well.
However, it's the moments where the voice wavers that get to me. In
those moments she does more than sing. She conveys the hard lament of a persona that experiences the sexual
nirvana of the lonely. The song begins very serenely, with the woman
describing her morning routine and describing what she
sees as she sits at her computer. During the fun she wanders
off and decides that a little relief is in order, and
in this song it is exactly that: relief. A momentary distraction, a
tiny sneeze... another part of the routine. Not quite the great and
wonderous experience spoken of by some and hoped for by many more, and
that is perhaps why the words in the song resonated so strongly. Never
before had I considered that the act of
self-gratification is merely part of a routine,
something to get out of the way so that I may continue with the next
item on the to-do list. Palmer expresses the notion well in this song
and complements the message with the beauty of her singing and
ivory tinkling. As she climaxes so does the music, becoming
more dramatic to keep in step with the real highlight of the piece which is Palmer's rousing vocals, until at last she peaks and begins the somber
downslide, declaring that other people only complicate things. She can
take of it herself. If only that were true...
But that's enough of a simple man's explication of a deeply moving and beautiful song. Without further ado, the lyrics for Amanda
Palmer's "first orgasm" (and I urge you, yes YOU, to buy the album "Yes,
Virginia..." or find a way to listen to the track in order
to fully appreciate the voice and the emotion behind the words).
first orgasm
it is
a thursday
i get up early
it is a challenge
i'm usually lazy
i make some coffee
I eat some rice chex
and then i sit down
to check my inbox
i only read a word or two
i stare across the street and see the churches
and the blue
the first orgasm of the morning
is cold and hard as hell
there won't be any second coming
as far as i can tell
i arch my back cause
i'm very close now
it's very cold here
by the window
there are some school kids
yelling and running
i barely notice
that i am cumming
the first orgasm of the morning
is like a fire drill
it's nice to have a little warning
but not enjoyable
i am too busy to have friends
a lover would just complicate my plans
so i will never look for love again
i'm taking matters into my own hands
i think i could last at least a week without
someone to hold me
i think i could last at least a week without
someone to hold me
won't you hold me?
copyright
2005 amanda palmer
http://www.dresdendolls.com/downloads_n_lyrics/lyrics/firstorgasm.htm
Time taken to find and purchase the song when I realized I needed to
listen to it right now: 58 seconds. Number of times "first orgasm"
played during the sporadic writing of this: 46.
Were you expecting a juicy story about the first coming? Well, I'll leave that to you.