Rigo De Leon

Professor Pressman

ECL 305

April 7, 2024

Human Sadness

The Voidz are an American band comprised of six members: Julian Casablancas (vocals), Beardo (lead guitar), Amir Yaghmai (lead guitar), Jake Bercovichi (bass/keys), Alex Carapetis (drums), and Jeff Kite (keys). They are known for their experimental and long songs, which they’ve created with the expectation that their music will be appreciated far into the future. The song that prompted the creation of the band is the first single off their first album called “Tyranny”. The song is called “Human Sadness”, which was released in 2014. It was originally going to be released as a solo project for Julian Casablancas, but he enlisted the help of the band he toured with to make the song greater. Their love for the song they created inspired them to create an album. The name “The Voidz” was picked because the effects that they primarily used for their music sounded like what they believed a black hole, or void, would sound like. Both Julian Casablancas and Stephanie Burt challenge the idea of cultural and societal traditions by prompting readers/listeners to consider how and why we conform to societal norms as a result of trying to survive in the culture we have inherited, and how that affects personal identity and the need to be useful. Julian Casablancas uses metaphors and symbolism in the song “Human Sadness”, as well as vivid sounds throughout the song to emphasize the experiences that traditions have created in order to make people question how they conform. Stephanie Burt, on the other hand, uses contemporary poetry, specifically the second and sixth stanza of her poem “We Are Mermaids” to portray that people do not need to be useful to survive.

Throughout the song, “Human Sadness” simplifies basic concepts that are normal in everyday life, but in a way that truly shows the struggle of external pressures conflicting with personal identity. For example, the song begins with the singer whispering the line “Put money in my hand, and I will do the things you want me to” (Casablancas 1). The way Casablancas presents this line is almost degrading. He is willing to sacrifice his own morality and time for the sake of receiving currency that will help sustain him in the society that he was born into. Assuming he has enough to sustain himself, this line could also be seen as an example of blatant greed. Sacrificing morality still applies, yet this time it’s for the sake of wanting more than needed. Casablancas implies that the separation of the natural world has only caused people to be dehumanized. In the natural world, actions are not governed by monetary values. Casablancas’ implication of dehumanization is complimented by Stephanie Burt’s use of mermaids in her poem. Burt writes, “when what would become, us was just trying to get through the day” (Burt 2). Societal norms have conditioned humans to live in routines that can feel meaningless. Wake up, go to work, run errands, go home, sleep, repeat. While there can be variation, society has developed in a way that prioritizes order over individuality and identity. People are expected to be useful and are unable to just exist.

Casablancas uses his desire of existential freedom throughout the song further his criticism of societal norms. A reoccuring line throughout the song is “Beyond all ideas of right and wrong, there is a field. I will be meeting you there” (Casablancas 3). This line is an altered version of a quote by the philosopher known as Rumi, who believed that the soul should be nurtured in order to live a happy life. Casablancas wishes to transcend beyond the concepts of good and bad that society has trained people to conform to, and reconnect with nature. Artificial constructs such as right and wrong are ideas that put pressure on people to be useful. The field itself can be seen as symbolism, a representation of the natural world, a place untouched by humanity. A field is a natural part of the world that just exists. Therefore, there can be no right or wrong, a field is a place where anything can just be. The field that Casablancas wishes to visit is a place where people can choose to have an identity however they would like, or it can be a place where people just exist. Stephanie Burt’s poem touches on a similar idea, by having mermaids be the main focus. Mermaids are creatures that are forced to exist between the ocean and land. The ocean represents the natural world, while land represents living among a society that follows traditions. Burt’s ideas add depth to Casablancas’ ideas in the way that Burt is a lot more realistic and blatant with her message. By analyzing “We Are Mermaids” before “Human Sadness”, you get a much more literal sense of what Casablancas intends to portray about identity and traditions. The Voidz’s song can be interpreted to be about corruption within the system that has been established, but with the frame of Stephanie Burt’s poem, it grounds the song by helping observers interpret the lyrics and music about human fundamentals.

Throughout the song, symbolism is used in order to further the message about societal traditions consuming the identities of people. A notable use of symbolism in “Human Sadness” is in the fourth verse, where Casablancas states “The moon’s a skull, I think it’s grinnin’” (Casablancas 4). This symbolism can have many different meanings, but in the sense of identity and societal norms, it can be interpreted as a reflection of mortality. Skulls are symbols of death. They are a reminder of the fate that all of humanity shares. The personification of the skull that is grinning gives it a sinister twist. A grinning skull could almost be a form of mockery, as the moon that hangs over the entire world every night is not only a reminder of death, but also a reminder that people are wasting their precious time by blindly following along with the traditions they’ve inherited. This idea is built upon by Stephanie Burt’s use of symbolism through mermaids. Mermaids are symbols of duality. They are half human and half fish. It is hard for mermaids to exist on land without there being trouble that prevents them from being authentic. The only true safe place for mermaids is in the ocean, which reflects Casablancas idea about the only safe place where humans can be their authentic selves is in a field beyond right and wrong. Another key use of symbolism that relates to authenticity in “Human Sadness” is the use of the word “tie” later in the same verse. Casablancas sings “And I don’t need your tie, I don’t need to, tired of saying it” (Casablancas 4). Much later in the song he also sings “Hits you on the head when nobody’s there, Then he says, ‘Come here, can you fix my tie?’” (Casablancas 10). The use of the word “tie” adds to the concept of identity in multiple different ways. For one, a tie is a direct connection to societal norms that have been created by our ancestors. Ties are professional attire, things that need to be worn when proving worthiness to traditions. They are worn at job interviews, weddings, courtrooms, and any other place that may need to be seen as professional. Casablancas directly rejects the tie in his first use of the word. He even mentions that he is tired of saying he doesn’t want it. The tie not only takes away from his ability to be himself, but wearing it is also a submission to the constructs he desires to escape. In his second use of the word, he uses it as a quote within the song itself of one person asking another to fix his tie. To fix another person’s tie is an intimate thing, usually done by fathers to sons. This could be an anecdote to fathers passing down the system that has plagued people to conform to it. This brilliant use of the tie alone can summarize the problems that traditions create against identity. By observing the song this way, people can reflect on whether or not they are okay with living without a sense of personal identity. 

One aspect about “Human Sadness” that is important to consider when analyzing the song is the actual music itself. The band samples Mozart’s “Requiem in D Minor”, which is a song that was written during the late 18th century. It is fascinating to think that a song about breaking traditions is sampling a song that was written during the early stages of the civilization that has been built to tear down individuality. It provides a sense of irony to Casablancas’ message but also goes to show how hard it is to actually break free from the societal norms we have built. One key difference that can be obtained by listening to the song rather than just reading it is the breakdown at the bridge. There is a guitar solo that begins exactly at the 7 minute mark. The Voidz has two lead guitarists rather than a lead guitarist and a rhythm guitarist, which is what is normal in bands. The bridge has both guitars play conflicting melodies at the same time, and it can almost be interpreted as if the guitars themselves are having a conversation. Because the guitars align with the melody of Casablancas’ singing, it can be inferred that the solo is actually a “conversation” between both lead guitars. Perhaps the guitars are pleading to break away from the social norms and traditions that people face, but without actual words it is almost like the pleading is hopeless because it is unable to be understood. Observing the music adds to Casablancas’ message significantly as it amplifies how hopeless it can feel to think this way but have no solution at all.

Casablancas presents a double meaning later in the song in which readers can interpret the same sentence in polar opposite ways. He states “Soft skin, weak chin, Just walk me through it, tell me what to do, I’ll do it, Hurry, hurry, that my baby, do what you can” (Casablancas 10). Casablancas uses “soft skin” and “weak chin” to display the innocence and wonder of his newborn child. By asking to be told what to do and promising that he will do it, it can be interpreted in two ways. Either Casablancas is asking how to change the system in order for his child to grow up in a better situation than he did, or he is a brainwashed version of himself asking how to make sure the baby conforms the way he did. If it is the former option, it can be furthered by the following line where he asks whoever he is speaking with to do what they can for his child. Considering this line happens near the climax of the song, it can be a line of hope that is offered in order to leave the audience with hope that there can be a solution to the problem of conforming to societal norms by sacrificing identity. Judging by the title of the song, it is likely the ladder option. Casablancas is asking whoever he is speaking to to do what they can and teach him how to raise the baby in a way where they will fit in with the rest of society. Regardless of the meaning, these lines provide similar outcomes for the listener. They either feel a glimmer of hope that they can break free from the system if they question it the way Casablancas implies he is doing, or they see Casablancas conforming in the end and see it as a cautionary tale that should be worked towards being avoided. Burt has a similar line at the end of her poem, where she states, “Some of us are going to be okay” (Burt 10). By stating that specifically some people are going to be okay but not necessarily stating who, readers are likely to question it deeper in order to find out if they themselves will be okay. Lines like these are sometimes vital to literature as they provide much deeper thought that is triggered by a semi-selfish form of thinking. 

Overall, “Human Sadness” is a song that pushes people to question the state of living they are in. The song can be analyzed in multiple different ways, but when reading with a certain frame in mind, people can find meaning that they never would have thought to look for. By reading this with Stephanie Burt’s poem “We Are Mermaids” as a frame, dissecting the idea that Casablancas and Burt emphasize the experiences that traditions have created in order to make people question how they conform. People do not need to be useful, and should celebrate having their own identity. Just because this world and its systems were inherited, it does not mean change cannot occur. By analyzing “Human Sadness” and “We Are Mermaids”, people can question for themselves whether or not they are okay living the way they are, and potentially changing the norms and traditions as they see fit.