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Sunday, July 11, 2010

Song of the Day: Blind Pilot - 3 Rounds and a Sound




Blind Pilot's greatest strength, is definitely their story-telling abilities. When they pick up a simple guitar, add a little soft percussion, all overlapped with the quiet yet determined voice of frontman Israel Nebeker, it's harmonious honesty. The songs tells real life stories, all with obvious meaning to their creators as made evident by the emotion drenched lyrics. Today's song, 3 Rounds and a Sound, buries us under the weight of a broken relationship, and with one listen, you'll immediately start puling for them.

6 comments:

  1. Are you sure it's a broken relationship? Seems to me it's an enduring relationship. But that's why I like the song so much--really open to interpretation.

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  2. I agree, I think it is about an on going relationship. It is even going to be my wedding song now! Three rounds and a sound is a traditional wedding gift, and it seems like the relationship is still going in the song.

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  3. I have to agree with the comments above. Seems like an enduring relationship; or at least one he has hopes will endure.

    From an interview with Israel Nebeker:
    http://laist.com/2009/08/03/meet_israel_nebeker_-_lead_singer_o.php

    Interviewer: Why did you name the album 3 Rounds and a Sound? Three rounds of what exactly? Boxing? Whiskey?


    Israel: Yeah, it struck me as a funny phrase when I heard it. It alluded to a lot of meanings. I liked that. It made me think of rounds of a song like in "Row Row Row Your Boat." The expression is actually a traditional Chinese phrase, which I thought was apt because of the importance of the bicycle in China. People rely very heavily on them. The expression is something you say to a newly wed couple. They represent the necessities you need in life: a round bike wheel, a round clock face, a round spool of thread and the sound is radio. You need to have all of these essential needs met in order to get married.

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  4. I just came across this song for the first time - I love it! Thanks for the discussion on the meaning. I was wondering, and this helped fill in the blanks. :)

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  5. It's about finding true love. He knows he's not perfect and she acknowledges all his mistakes, but loves him anyway.

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  6. Soil and six feet under kept just like we were (the relationship is having problems and he wishes he could burry their problems and keep everything the same like before she got to know him... he talks about wanting to experience "the dance" which isn't about getting married but experiencing happiness before they sink back into an argument or something more negative. ("I hope we dance before we get it wrong") but "she knows him for all his stupid shit" and this is what every relationship goes through at least once. Well this is their song and you can't bury everything forever it will "blossom" hit like a bullet 3 rounds to be exact. He was swimming (nothing supporting him aimlessly in the dark and had no idea how to do relationships ) this was until she shows him how to be open and communicate. She is so patient with him. He sees this and doesn't want to give up. He is going to be there for her until the earth crumbles.so this WAS their song this WAS their struggle but he "sees the light" he STILL sees the light. They are happy together now but there was a alot of work in the beginning. You can't burry your problems he knows this now. He knows how to be open and it is her to thank. This was my interpretation

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