Happy Valentine’s Day, folks! Aside from the oppressive commercialization of the occasion, I hope you are feeling loved today, whether it’s romantic, simple companionship or the just knowing you’re supported by friends.
I shared the story for today’s song, “Mirrorball,” back when I featured another Elbow song on January 18, 2020 (“This Blue World”), so I invite you to follow the link to that post to read or reread it if you like, then point your browser back here.
The song is another example of the beautiful poetry the band creates in their songs:
“I plant the kind of kiss that wouldn’t wake a baby
On the self-same face that wouldn’t let me sleep
And the street is singing with my feet
And dawn gives me a shadow I know to be taller”
And later on,
“We took the town to town last night
We kissed like we invented it
And now I know what every step is for
To lead me to your door”
(From “Mirrorball,” by Richard Jupp, Craig Potter, Mark Potter, Guy Garvey, Peter Turner)
Hearing the music and lyrics again reminds me of the McCulloch poem in the January post, the feeling of longing when anticipating being with one’s love, and that blissful feeling when finally reunited.
On his 2010 album Scratch My Back, Peter Gabriel worked with a full orchestra and made cover versions of other artists’ songs. It’s a brilliant album. There was also a companion release called, And I’ll Scratch Yours, where other artists covered Gabriel compositions. I don’t have that one. Yet. I mention this because “Mirrorball” is featured on that album, which I think says what a magnificent song it is.
Now you know a little about why this is my song of the day for today. Please enjoy the music and poetry.
Here’s the audio from Elbow’s official YouTube channel:
Song of the Day for Today 