Interesting Interview with Word Magazine

[sparky]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Your comments assume that interest in her relationships doesn't also tell us something about ourselves and that that's not the draw in the first place.

Sadly I think this is chicken and egg theory. I think the songs are the intial draw. The music is the magic. Beyond that, I think the vocal majority then begins to turn their fascination to her personal life. And completely neglects personal meaning for a focus on her life. Then it veers towards cult of celebrity.

Just because not everyone takes the same road into their own head as you do, doesn't make them shallow. Michele

I wasn't implying that the mere interest in her personal backstory makes a person or their interpretations shallow. But I would say that the real point is that people often don't even bother to go into their own heads very deep at all. Or very deep into the songs at all. The point becomes focused on Stevie, and not why the songs have meaning to each person. In my opinion that is a missed opportunity.

Clearly you, and a few other people, have articulated how Stevie's songs and other things have connected with them on a personal level. I appreciate that, and find it meaningful and interesting. I believe, as I said before, that the higher purpose of art is exactly that. What did the art do to you? How did it illuminate your journey through life? How did it shine light into the paths you are trudging through? That is where the real stuff is. And it is as bright as neon that such things are what Stevie is after and finds most rewarding about her songs. How do they help people? She is very upfront about that.

I don't honestly expect people to spill their guts about their deep emotional connections to her songs on every other post. That is what close friends are for. But I maintain that there is much more conversation about her personal connections and personal inspirations on this forum than the actual emotional impact they have on people. And god forbid, how the music plays a part in that. She is completely complicit in that, as she is now much more open about who the songs are about than ever before. It is my opinion that such statements detract from her art. Good for her for being open. But I think it is at a cross purpose to her greater calling.

For God's sake there is a new thread here about if she and Lindsey did or did not hook up during the Dance. I am not above gossip, but I believe such fascination contributes to people utterly missing the point of what her songs can do as pieces of art in the lives of those who listen to her. I doubt she wrote a single song with the intention of having people trying to speculate over when she did or did not have sex with Lindsey at some point of their lives. Maybe she is opening that door, but I for one am not interested in walking through it.

Stevie's legendary prudishness aside, I think it is kind of crude. And a bit stalkerish.

Oh, and Chris? I stand corrected. It is definitely a snow globe and not a crystal ball.