Sunday, February 13, 2011

Just Like a Dream: a Just Like Heaven Song Review

You know what I can appreciate in music? When a song takes you by the throat and demands you listen. That's right, I like to be at the complete mercy of a musical tune. These are the kind of songs that aren't going to fade into the background before someone makes a comment. It may even halt a few conversations as the listeners' attention have submitted to the sound. The song doesn't necessarily have to be drenched in self-importance or really any seriousness for that matter; it can be a simple ode to love and love lost.


The Cure were no strangers to such subjects, especially by the mid-80's with their single Just Like Heaven, a track cut from their '87 double album Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me. Robert Smith definitely knew how to write a pop song (even if it wasn't always his creative intention). With this talent, Smith crafted one of his best upbeat love songs on Just Live Heaven.

The song starts with an optimistic drum beat and simple bass groove, and goes directly into an instrumental build: big, thick strums of an acoustic guitar are introduced, then bright, heavenly synth chords, followed by jangly electric guitar, and finally, pop ecstasy with Robert Smith's bright, emotional vocals. The vocals
carry the emotion of the song throughout its three and a half minutes, but the instrumental sound and flourishes just perfect the mood and back the vocals completely. I especially love the bouncy piano, playing not chords but simple notes, that comes in during the second verse. Like any good love song, it's meaning is fragile and ambiguous; it has just enough uncertainty in the lyrics and minor chords to show love can stand joyfully beside sorrow.

If you're hooked by the beginning, I guarantee you will be wanting more by the end. And that's the beauty of it.. the song ends rather abrubtly, as if to say, "yeah, I could of gone for a few more bars, maybe even throw in a few more chorus repeats, but I'm not gonna!". Pretty clever for an attention-demanding love song, eh? I could go on and analyze every wonderful thing this song has to offer, but I'll let the track speak for itself. Here's the link, hope you folks enjoy it.

16 comments:

  1. I like this type of music sometimes, when I'm almost sleeping

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  2. A little differnt from what I usually listen to, but not bad.

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  3. I'm not a music fan at all but I wouldn't mind finding out who drew the album art you pictured above!

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  4. Very well written, Love the Cure

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  5. I never really cared for the cure. following.

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  6. I love this song everytime I hear it.

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  7. Robert Smith is a legend in my book.

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  8. Fantastic song, been a fan of The Cure for a long time.

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  9. love the cure! he just did a song with crystal castles thats very good too.

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  10. I have 2 copies of this single, with the album out you pictured in this post.

    My favorite version of this song is the one by Dinosaur Jr.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJLOr8S2d2E

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  11. I love this song.
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