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Guest Post: The Meaning of String Theory: a song-by-song analysis by Robyn Kessler

This post was originally posted on the Hanson.net forum by Robyn under his screen name @robinbond. When I asked Robyn if I could link to the post on my review of the album, he pointed out that the post was on the Members Only side, which would have been inaccessible for non-members. So we decided to repost Robyn's analysis on my blog as a guest post where everybody will be able to read his insightful, detailed analysis. Thanks, Robyn, for letting me share it!

There's a boy I used to know - Reaching For The Sky (AMBITION SEARCHING FOR ONE’S PLACE IN THE WORLD)

If I could turn the world to a melody I think so many troubles would cease to be - Joyful Noise (MOTIVATION)

Look at what you're doing. Where's the love? It's not enough; it makes the world go round - Where's The Love

(ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This is the line drawn in the sand that turns a boy into a man - Dream It Do It (PROCLAMATION)

It's gone so fast... In a MMMBop it's gone - MMMBop (USE THIS MOMENT or else it's gone... compare with message of Tonight)

Now that I've started there's nothing standing in my way - Chasing Down My Dreams (DETERMINATION)

I'm caught up in a dark emotion; I'm giving you all that's left of me - Tragic Symphony (DESPAIR / FEELING SPENT)

I should have gotten out when I thought I could - Got A Hold On Me (QUESTIONING CONTINUING)

YEARBOOK is the song that the whole show hangs on... which is (I think) why Hanson said that this show answers a question they've been asking for a long time... actually, everyone has been asking Where did Johnny go? -- if we take Johnny as a personification of the hopes and dreams we had of who we would become, the song's place in the show makes sense. Considering  the lines selected. Yearbook is actually a framework for the whole String Theory story. The lyric in the song “sometimes I think I hear him calling out my name; sometimes I wonder maybe we’re to blame” speaks to the fact that only we can take responsibility for the person we became. That said…

Where did Johnny go? – Yearbook (SEARCH FOR IDENTITY / OUR PLACE IN THIS WORLD )

No straighter path than to struggle, ‘cause when we rest we fear and it draws them near - Siren Call

(ENCOUNTERING OBSTACLES)

When I'm alone in a cold dark room, there's still someone that I can tell my troubles to - Me Myself And I (FINDING HOPE)

Those around him said with spite "risk of failure isn't worth the fight - Reaching For The Sky Part 2  (ENCOUNTERING PEER PRESSURE)

I heard them say that dreams should stay in your head ... I started feeling like I don't want to fight... and we won't go down  - This Time Around (OVERCOMING NEGATIVITY)

Only you know what you lost - Something Going Round (IDENTIFYING THE ROAD TO RECOVERY)

Tomorrow the march will begin again; Every time you fall face-down in the dirt, I never knew before - don't be afraid “ - Battle Cry (PERSEVERENCE)

You're in for a big surprise - you can't stop us now - You Can't Stop Us (COMMITMENT)

A high-flyer's what I want to be... I'm gonna run away and learn to fly like you... you can't bring me down… what

am I supposed to be? - Broken Angel (SETTING GOALS)

We dreamt a dream, then lost our way, in the dark of night, at the break of day; How did we go wrong? Where

do we belong? - What Are We Fighting For? (REFLECTION)

I've been losing for so long I can't begin... you're so insecure, you're hurt right down to the core - you're only

stuck in your pain – Break Town (ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CONTEXT)

Yesterday was just fine but the future's all I've got time for... my feet can't move to where my heart just ain't - No

Rest For The Weary (FOCUS)

I was born to be someone no-one's ever been before - I Was Born (HAVING A UNIQUE VISION)

Always had a taste for another thrill; when I hit a wall and I'm put to the test - Sound Of Light (PUTTING

VISION INTO PRACTISE)

Don't care what has come before; tomorrow's an open door; Don't wait for tomorrow, cos it just might be tonight – Tonight (CARRYING THE VISION FORWARD INTO FULFILLMENT)


Robyn Kessler is the admin of Hanson South Africa and a great supporter of the Take The Walk campaign. Check out his Facebook Page and his Twitter account.
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