I like this song, mostly for the production. Is it great ? Nope. Not in my opinion. As a fan, I can appreciate the imagery, and the vocal is top notch. But, the reaction I have had from people who don't really know the backstory is "What the hell is she talking about ?" And that is telling.
For a song to ascend to greatness, the listener shouldn't have to work so hard to understand it. Of course we can get it, but many people can't.
To say that someone is being too specific and too vague at the same time sounds impossible, but I think it describes the song.
Stevie does this a lot. The details are there - but they aren't details that serve to make the story accessible or universal.
We know all about the damned candle - we are told nothing about the trauma.
The details confuse rather than enlighten. I don't think the song is streamlined, concise storytelling. Which is fine. It still works for me. But I don't think it's close to being her finest work.
Too muddled. It needed editing and clarification.
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