Phoenix - 1901

Today includes Youtube’s “Music Tuesday” special that brings in new artists and bands with their new music. Yes. This week starred Phoenix, an alternative rock band from France that became mainstream in the United States during their 2006 tour after their last album. Their hit song that is currently flowing over Music Tuesday is “1901.”

Just so that the audience knows, I like to do some research before I write these posts. I enjoy not sounding like an idiot (all right, at least not FEELING like an idiot) when writing about songs and bands. The more I know, then the more that I can write and use as analysis. One of the biggest questions that keep going over my mind, as well with other bloggers and journalists, is why 1901 is the title of their single. I have looked at several sites just to find out that really no one knows the true meaning of “1901”. However, the lyrics hold clues to the surface down under.

In my opinion, seeing that Phoenix is French, they are talking about the turn of the century involving the Eiffel Tower, which was built in the 1880s from what I can recall. In their lyrics, the phrase “material tower” is used as it is thought of as “overrated” at the time. But, overall, this song is about a relationship that is falling apart. The reference of the past is a comparison with the relationship in the song; it is thought to not work out, yet it is still staying to this day. “Past and present – they don’t matter” is another phrase representing history, even when “the future’s sorted out” and the relationship is finally concluded.

I appreciate the historical references that Phoenix brings with their lyrics, and I am quite amused since so many people, such as me, are wondering why “1901” is considered present to these men. This song holds a strong meaning lying under the surface that history majors are still trying to figure out!

The official video of “1901” is not on the Music Tuesday page, but rather a video in celebration of Bastille Day, which is today (July 14). The band is playing in front of what looks to be a green screen of the Eiffel Tower and the surrounding neighborhood. These men are proud Frenchmen who love their country as much as we hate ours!

The instrumental aspect of this song is strong as well. It’s a blend of rock as well as electronica, which can be difficult technology to overcome, but the band made it sound very nice. I would joyfully dance to this song if it were played on the dance floor because it has a hip beat with electric sounds. If you are the kind of person who likes to jump around while listening to happy music, this is the song for you. What seems interesting to me is that the happy music contradicts the sort of melancholy lyrics, yet they go together so nicely that, if one were to not know what the lyrics were, then it would be interpreted as a song with happy endings rather than the end of the past.

If you have the chance and are interested in listening to Phoenix, you can go to wearephoenix.com for more information about their album or check out Amazon, iTunes, and Youtube! But for now, I’m off to listen to some more music!