Included on Spirit Trail .. 1998.
Resting Place meaning of the song
“Resting Place” by Bruce Hornsby explores themes of stigma, self-identity, and the emotional struggles of living in a society that often judges individuals based on their appearance. The lyrics provide a deeply personal reflection on the experiences of an overweight person facing daily challenges and societal rejection. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Bruce invites listeners to empathise with the struggles of those who feel marginalised.
The journey of self-discovery
The opening lines, “I’m on a long sojourn / I’m sitting here shedding my skin,” suggest a journey towards self-discovery and transformation. The term “sojourn” indicates a temporary stay, implying that the speaker is in a transitional phase, seeking change. The phrase “shedding my skin” can symbolically represent the desire to rid oneself of past identities or experiences that no longer fit. This longing for renewal contrasts sharply with the external perception of the speaker.
Struggles with self-image
The line “ugly on the outside / They’re all messing with me for the shape I’m in” highlights the internal conflict between self-perception and societal judgement. The speaker acknowledges their struggle with self-image, feeling vulnerable to the critiques of others. This sentiment captures the painful reality many individuals face when their worth is determined by their appearance rather than their character.
Seeking solace and connection
In the lyrics, “I’m looking for a clean slate / Just need to find a new mind state,” Bruce expresses a desire to escape from the negativity surrounding them. The search for a “clean slate” signifies a yearning for a fresh start, free from the burdens of societal expectations and prejudices. The playful suggestion to “go looking for squirrels” serves as a metaphor for finding joy in simple, everyday experiences, reinforcing the theme of seeking connection and positivity.
Confronting societal perceptions
The repetition of the line “And the hail falls hard / And the wind whips my face” evokes a sense of struggle against external forces. The imagery of hail and wind suggests harsh realities that the speaker must endure. The phrase “long, long way from anywhere real safe” reinforces feelings of isolation and vulnerability, as the speaker grapples with their place in the world.
The weight of judgement
The lyrics “Everybody sees us as big fat bastards” reveal the harsh reality of societal judgement based on appearance. The term “big fat bastards” is a derogatory label that encapsulates the ridicule the speaker faces. Bruce captures the internalisation of this stigma, leading to feelings of inadequacy and frustration. The line “Ever feel like a side-show attraction” further emphasises the sense of being objectified, as if the speaker’s existence is reduced to a spectacle for others.
Using humour as a coping mechanism
The lyric “I get by being a funny talker” suggests that the speaker employs humour as a defence mechanism to cope with the pain of judgement. While humour can serve as a way to connect with others, it also highlights the deeper emotional scars that remain. The contrast between the outward display of levity and the internal struggle indicates a complex relationship with self-acceptance.
Yearning for understanding
The repeated refrain of “I’m a long, long way from my resting place” serves as a metaphor for the speaker’s desire for peace and acceptance. The “resting place” can be interpreted as a state of emotional comfort or belonging that feels elusive. The journey described in the song reflects the universal quest for understanding and validation in a world that often prioritises superficial qualities over genuine connection.
Concluding thoughts
In “Resting Place,” Bruce Hornsby poignantly addresses the everyday stigma faced by those who do not conform to societal ideals of beauty and body image. Through vivid imagery and personal reflection, the song encapsulates the emotional struggles of living in a judgemental world while expressing a desire for understanding and connection. Ultimately, the song invites listeners to reflect on their perceptions of self-worth and the importance of compassion towards those who may feel like outsiders.
Your further thoughts
(Resting Place reviewed with Fortunate Son)
Two extremely thoughtful songs, demonstrating Hornsby’s determination not to leave any stone untouched in his commentary of the human condition and the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Furthermore, the songs here demonstrate the author’s willingness to address issues that most of the rest of us might find “difficult” or “awkward”, and would prefer to ignore. It may even be argued that Hornsby could have been more successful, in strictly commercial terms, if he had taken the easy option, “passed by on the other side” and left the humanitarian issues for somebody else to deal with.
“Resting Place” is the point of view of an overweight person and the everyday stigma that he must face just to make it through an ordinary day. On Spirit Trail we find some of the most graphic imagary of all of Hornsby’s work, this song is certainly no exception.
“Ever feel like a side-show attraction / ever feel like a walking infraction / Some people call me Tarzan in my big, big sweats…I get by being a funny talker / all those funny jokes sting / so keep walkin’”
I note Hornsby’s comments in one review that some of these songs are, in a way, little reminders to him about such matters. This is an honourable admission which we could all learn from, as most of us are probably guilty of little, flippant remarks which cause hurt, possibly without us knowing. Hornsby himself refers in a flippant manner, probably unconciously, to the “fat man selling salvation in his hand” in Jacob’s Ladder. However, Resting Place at least represents a concious decision to see the situation from the opposite viewpoint.
Fortunate Son is the ironic title of a song dealing with a character who is bound to his “ever present” wheelchair. This piece is a little more reflective than Resting Place – the quiet piano sets the tone – but the sense of battling against negative elements is similar. The first verse, situated in a street parade, is a quite remarkable, poignant example of an environment which the character must deal with:
“People laughing and smiles all around me / Balloons and paper in my hair / There’s a man in the car with the top down, waving wildly at me…I know he’s thinking / Better him, him than me”
The song deals with a range of emotions which touch the character’s life. In the first verse, a sense of being patronised by well-meaning individuals. The chorus betrays perhaps an element of self-pity. In the second verse, we learn of the experience of having to put a lid on emotion and deal with the situation rationally. Then comes the feelings of absolute despair. In the end, the resigned feeling of having to go out for a smoke and some drinks just to escape the hurt.
Carwyn Tywyn
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Resting Place
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Saratoga, CA
September 18 2011