Kissability by Sonic Youth Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Layers of Underground Lust and Stardom
Lyrics
You’re so good, you could go far
I’ll put you in a movie, don’t you wanna?
You could be a star, you could go far
You’ve got twistability
You fly hard, don’t you wanna?
You’ve got kissability
You could be a star, it ain’t hard
You’re driving me crazy, you smell so sick
You’re driving me crazy, give us a kiss
Look into my eyes, don’t you trust me?
You’re so soft, you make me hard
I’ll put you on a movie, don’t you wanna?
You could be a star, you could go far
You’ve got kissability
You sigh hard, don’t you wanna?
You’ve got twistability
You could be a star, it ain’t hard
You drive me crazy, you smell so sick
I feel so tired, you made me sick
You’re driving me crazy, I feel so sick
You’re driving me crazy, give us a kiss
Look into my eyes, don’t you diss me
You’re so good, you could go far
I’ll put you in a movie, don’t you wanna?
You could be a star, you could go far
You’ve got twistability
You fly hard, don’t you wanna?
You’ve got kissability
You could be a star, it ain’t hard
You’re driving me crazy, you smell so sick
You’re driving me crazy, give us a kiss
Sonic Youth has always been a band that defies the mainstream, crafting a sound that is as dissonant as it is poetic. Their 1988 song ‘Kissability’ from the album ‘Daydream Nation’ is no exception. Upon first listen, it wraps you in a cacophony of guitars and raw vocals, but a closer analysis reveals a more complex exploration of desire, exploitation, and the seductive lure of fame.
This track, as with much of Sonic Youth’s work, operates on a plane where the lines of alternative rock, avant-garde soundscapes, and subversive lyrics converge. ‘Kissability’ beckons us to delve deeper into its cryptic poetry, inviting an examination of its subtleties and textual interplay that encapsulate a generation’s angst and yearnings.
The Grit Behind the Glamour: Sonic Youth’s Take on Showbiz
At its core, ‘Kissability’ critiques the predatory nature of the entertainment industry. The repeated offers of putting someone ‘in a movie’ coupled with the enticements of stardom and the dark undertones of the music itself paint a picture of an industry rife with temptation and the potential for exploitation.
Thurston Moore’s disenchanted voice projects the siren call of fame while simultaneously warning of its venomous bite. It’s a sardonic love song to a fame-hungry culture, portraying individuals ready to trade their dignity for the allure of the spotlight.
A Closer Look at
This track is a display of Sonic Youth’s signature style – a blend of surreal poetry and grinding guitars. As the title implies, ‘kissability’ juxtaposes the innocence of a kiss with societal notions of what makes someone desirable, including the expectation to contort oneself into whatever shape is ‘twistable’ and marketable.
These buzzwords encapsulate the manipulation in play, reflecting on how aspirations can be twisted to serve the voyeuristic needs of an audience. Sonic Youth prods at the very nature of desire and the commodification of people’s bodies and talents.
The Dichotomy of Desire and Disgust
While ‘Kissability’ resonates with themes of attraction and allure, it also perpetuates a strong sense of aversion. The lyrics oscillate between seduction and sickness, reflecting a tumultuous relationship with the idea of closeness and intimacy – both physical and metaphorical.
Lines such as ‘You’re driving me crazy, you smell so sick’ suggest a visceral reaction to the overwhelming and perhaps toxic nature of this attention. It’s an indictment of the way fame and personal connections can become corrupted, leading to a sense of moral and emotional ‘sickness’.
The Hidden Meaning: Sonic Youth’s Subversion of Gender Roles
A cryptic dimension of ‘Kissability’ lies in its challenge to traditional gender expectations. The interplay between submission and dominance, desire and revulsion, hints at the complex gender dynamics at play in the societal climb to fame.
The usage of phrases like ‘You’re so good, you could go far’ lays bare the objectification prevalent in the industry, while the provocative yet ambiguous allure projected in the music underscores the subversion of these same roles. It’s a deft move that positions Sonic Youth as cultural commentators on gender politics.
Memorable Lines: The Echo of Youthful Rebellion
The refrain ‘You could be a star, it ain’t hard’ reads as both sarcastic and straightforward, a duality that represents the song’s enduring power. It encapsulates the allure of easy success while undercutting it with the understanding that such success often comes at a price.
In these few words, Sonic Youth encapsulates a truth known by every underground band and disenchanted dreamer – the road to stardom is fraught with compromises, and what seems effortless often demands the utmost effort, to the point where one’s ‘kissability’ might be the only currency left.
