The Lighthouse: September 27, 2024

[aleuzzi]

I’ve come late to this posting party because I wanted to get “The Lighthouse” under my skin before I commented.

I’ve been pretty critical of Stevie (musically and otherwise) these past eight years, especially after the tone-deaf “Show Them the Way” debacle. I was prepared to consider “Lady” her last great moment. But, well, I am IMPRESSED with “The Lighthouse” as a song, as a statement, as a bold move away from the private mythology of songs like “Sara” and “Silver Girl” to what I believe is a thoroughly successful public statement. Here, she uses her personal story (which Don Henley had no right to blab about before she came forward with it on her own terms) and creates something that speaks directly to the moment, to the ongoing struggle of women pursuing reproductive freedoms and full agency with their own bodies. Her live performance of the song on SNL surpasses the recorded version. And her interview with CBS shows her using her celebrity for something greater than herself. I never thought I’d say this again: I salute her. For this at least.