Every Song: The Berry Patch

[NathanJN]

"The Berry Patch" is the eighth song on the Robot Rock album.

Here's some possible topics for discussion:
1. Favorite Line
2. Least Favorite Line
3. Musical Quality
4. Images the Song Brings to Mind
5. Overall Rating (Using the entire body of JE music as a means of comparison . . . not just the album the song appears on.)

The song can be heard on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9qd11MDTVs

Lyrics:

The Berry Patch

when we were so young
and full of life
the years have all
but disappeared
but maybe we’ll
come back
to everything we loved
our hearts remain
untouched in the

berry patch
you come true in
my dreams

i remember when
the seasons came
and left
and apples fell from trees
colors kissed the leaves
and snow brought
winters birth
but i always believed…

[NathanJN]

I really enjoy these "pastoral" Joy Electric songs. The natural imagery serves as a nice contrasts to the so-called "unnatural" sound of synthesizers.

Also, I always thought is was interesting that "The Berry Patch" is followed by "Strawberry Heart". It's a nice couplet of berry-themed songs.

[xoxos]

are synths really unnatural?

the spectrum of eg. a sawtooth or square wave is an elementary function present all around us, most sounds reflecting this ideal function to us in some capacity. ..in the same way that quantised timing is an ideal present to some degree in day to day events.

maybe more super-natural, elementary and pure..

[NathanJN]

are synths really unnatural?

Well, I did put "unnatural" in quotes. But without some form of electricity (batteries included) a synth couldn't be played. So . . . I couldn't go to a berry patch with a synth and no power-supply and play these songs. Whereas I could do so with a guitar or a flute.

There's a nice juxtaposition in the natural-imagery with the more technologically driven synths. That's not a criticism. Just an observation. An observation, that I might add, I thoroughly enjoy!

[velocity boy]

i read an interview where he said he didn't think he spent enough time on it. always sounded prefect to me. great song and great songwriting. enough said.

[NathanJN]

i read an interview where he said he didn't think he spent enough time on it. always sounded prefect to me. great song and great songwriting. enough said.

Yup!

[seedsower]

Even though the words "Berry patch" never sit right with me, this is a super song. I love the intro as it sounds to me like the beginning of fantastical parade

[xoxos]

it does hint at an interpretation that can be made to fit with the Rest of the lyrics.. or were you also aggreived by the proliferation of holly hobby and strawberry shortcake?

being not christian (more jain/solipsist) i often see very fitting meanings to JE songs that are beyond at least the simplex interpretation of xianity, especially as time goes on, and can't help but think sometimes these must be intended. a thoughtful fellow.

[seedsower]

Honestly, I think I just don't like the word "patch". It irks me for some odd reason I don't know. Plus, what kind of berries are we talking about? I'm weird.

[NathanJN]

Honestly, I think I just don't like the word "patch". It irks me for some odd reason I don't know. Plus, what kind of berries are we talking about? I'm weird.

Well, a berry patch often refers to wild or semiwild growths of berries, and wild berries tend to be either blackberries or raspberry... so that narrows it down to two similar-looking fruits.

[lfh]

it does hint at an interpretation that can be made to fit with the Rest of the lyrics.. or were you also aggreived by the proliferation of holly hobby and strawberry shortcake?

being not christian (more jain/solipsist) i often see very fitting meanings to JE songs that are beyond at least the simplex interpretation of xianity, especially as time goes on, and can't help but think sometimes these must be intended. a thoughtful fellow.

Very curious to hear more! Please elaborate!

FYI, this is one of my favorite Joy E songs! That huge lead riff in the intro and the little "whoop, whoop, whoop" sounds in the chorus. It's Ronnie at one of his wistful melancholic love sick best!

[seedsower]

Honestly, I think I just don't like the word "patch". It irks me for some odd reason I don't know. Plus, what kind of berries are we talking about? I'm weird.

Well, a berry patch often refers to wild or semiwild growths of berries, and wild berries tend to be either blackberries or raspberry... so that narrows it down to two similar-looking fruits.

Ok, that works for me

[Jono]

the little "whoop, whoop, whoop" sounds in the chorus.

I think these are the same sounds I was just going to attempt to convey that I like also.

[xoxos]

i think if i elaborated i'd totally lose everyone due to lack of context.