Week Seven - The Call by Regina Spektor

The Call lyrics
Songwriters: Spektor, Regina;

It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder
'Til it was a battle cry

I'll come back
When you call me
No need to say goodbye

Just because every thing's changing
Doesn't mean it's never been this way before
All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are as you head off to the war

Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say goodbye

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say goodbye

Now, we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
'Til they're before your eyes

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say goodbye

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say goodbye

I really enjoy Regina Spektor, she is an amazing artist. This song is said to have multiple meanings, some of which include some form of secret or shy lovers. For me, this song is intended for those discovering new territory. It is for those that feel as though they are alone and that there is no one to turn to. It is for those that are lost. This song’s purpose is to give the listener a reassuring notion that things will get better; that others are there to help because they have gone through the same things that you have. You find that you are not the first and last person going through this. Then you are back at the beginning, and it will happen all over again. You will have new challenges that await you to overcome. All of this creates a strong emotional appeal that is comforting and warm. It gives you strength to take on whatever you face.

This song also reminds me of our Savior Jesus Christ. Now I do not know if this was her intent, and being a Russian Jew it probably is not. I still use this kind of thinking sometimes when I listen to it though. A more religious view would be for a religious audience. This would appeal to emotion as well because of the comfort you get with religion. The way it starts as a feeling, that being the Holy Ghost, and then it is a hope which is our faith. It keeps growing, and you go off to battle. To me there is no literal battle, but one that is raged between yourself and the obstacles you face. When it talks about a light because you are going off to battle I think of that light as being Jesus Christ. He is the light of the world, and will always be there waiting. There is a way back, if you just call. He is there waiting for us to call him, we never truly have to say goodbye. “…know who your friends are…” Christ is your friend. With him there are never any goodbyes.

I still love this song, and I always will.