judi@coyote.datalog.COM (Judi McKernan) (04/12/91)
Just watched the video again for "This Woman's Work." Earlier, I
stated I thought it was told from the man's point of view, and concerning
things he wished he had told her.
Now, I can also see the video as if being told by the woman from her
point of view (same reason). Does anyone else see it as being specifically
from the man's or the woman's point of view? I'm just not good at deciphering
things like that.
Also- as to the first few lines of the song:
"Pray God you can cope
I stand outside this woman's work
This woman's world
Ooh, it's hard on the man
Now his part is over
Now starts the craft of the father"
When I consider these lines as one segment by themselves, sometimes I get
the feeling that she's talking about childbirth. Does anyone else see this?
Or is it just me? (Sometimes I think I don't understand any of it...) even
if you spelled it out for me it might take some explaining before I'd
understand it completely!
judied@DAS.LLNL.GOV (Edward J. Suranyi) (04/12/91)
>When I consider these lines as one segment by themselves, sometimes I get >the feeling that she's talking about childbirth. Does anyone else see this? >Or is it just me? (Sometimes I think I don't understand any of it...) even >if you spelled it out for me it might take some explaining before I'd >understand it completely! > > judi You got it! Actually, this song is particularly easy to understand, at least for American fans, because we got a big hint. The song first appeared in the John Hughes movie "She's Having A Baby" back in early 1988, and many of us Kate fans rushed out to get the soundtrack for that movie just for that song. (Incidentally, the final version on _The Sensual World_ is only slightly different from the SHAB soundtrack.) Anyway, the song comes in at this key moment in the movie: The wife (played by Elizabeth McGovern) has just gone into premature labor, and doctors are trying to save her and her baby. Meanwhile the husband (played by Kevin Bacon) watches helplessly. The song is from the husband's point of view as he realizes he can't do anything. It's a beautiful scene. Kate's music is the only sound -- no distracting background noise. Did I ever tell the net what happened when I saw that movie? At the time I was not in contact with any Kate fans (although just a few months later I would see a copy of Homeground in London, and that would change my Kate-fandom life forever), so I had no idea she had written a song for an American movie, of all things! I girl asked if I'd like to go with her to a movie one night. She wanted to see SHAB. Frankly, I didn't want to see it but I didn't have anything else to do that evening. I was paying attention to the movie so I didn't notice immediately when the Kate song started. About a minute into it, my jaw dropped. "That's Kate Bush, singing!!!" I said. "Who?" she asked. I explained, then insisted that we wait to see the credits so I could be sure. Of course, it WAS Kate. I really didn't think the movie was that great, but that one scene made my month! If anybody hasn't seen it yet, go out and rent it. Ed ed@das.llnl.gov
martebf2@MENTOR.CC.PURDUE.EDU (brian) (04/12/91)
In <m0jRCZK-00014MC@coyote.datalog.com> judi@coyote.datalog.COM (Judi McKernan) writes: > Also- as to the first few lines of the song: >"Pray God you can cope > I stand outside this woman's work > This woman's world > Ooh, it's hard on the man > Now his part is over > Now starts the craft of the father" >When I consider these lines as one segment by themselves, sometimes I get >the feeling that she's talking about childbirth. Does anyone else see this? >Or is it just me? (Sometimes I think I don't understand any of it...) even >if you spelled it out for me it might take some explaining before I'd >understand it completely! > judi YES YES YES YES YESSSSSSSSS! Sorry, I just couldn't believe the song when I first heard it. I was watching *She's having a baby* and during the delivery scene when she is experiencing some difficulty and her husband is not being allowed in. He is forcibly removed from the scene by a nurse. I was moved to tears by this juxtaposition of the movie and this song by possibly one of the greatest lyricist/musicians of all time. I just sat and thought about the situation and compared my own possible life experiences. My wife and I have never had any children and now I see the event in a manner not heretofore experienced. I could babble on and on so I'll stop right here. Just bloody brilliant... And the *goddess*, I love it... Great, fantastic, super, *WOW*... -- Yours faithfully, * "Do something you hate, being * Brian Marten (martebf2) * miserable builds character" -CALVIN *
ed@DAS.LLNL.GOV (Edward J. Suranyi) (04/12/91)
In article <9104120218.AA14648@das.llnl.gov> I wrote: >You got it! Actually, this song is particularly easy to understand, >at least for American fans, because we got a big hint. I forgot to explain WHY this song is was easier to understand for American fans than British fans. The movie She's Having A Baby wasn't released in Britain for a long time. In fact, I'm not sure that it was EVER released there, except possibly straight onto video. At least, the Homeground people kept telling me that that the release date for that movie was being put off for one reason or another. This must have been HELL to British Kate fans, since I doubt the soundtrack album would be released for an unreleased movie. Ed ed@das.llnl.gov
jburka@SILVER.UCS.INDIANA.EDU (Jeff Burka) (04/12/91)
Judi, our most proflific new poster, writes: [wrt whether TWW's video is from the man or woman's point of view] Um. I dunno. I've only watched it two or three times (one of the big problems of not having my own VCR). To me, it's from the man's point of view--we experience the man's anguish at watching his loved one collapse, and then trying to cope with the waiting-room experience. Perhaps there's a hint of "Hello Earth" in here--he's just "floating" there in the waiting room, then he relives the experience that brought him to that point. But I digress... >When I consider these lines as one segment by themselves, sometimes I get >the feeling that she's talking about childbirth. Does anyone else see this? Bingo! "This Woman's Work" actually dates from 1988 (or is it '87? '88 I think). It was written for the soundtrack of the John Hughes movie _She's Having A Baby_ (Kevin Bacon and I don't recall whom else). The song was written for...you guessed it!...the sequence during which Kevin Bacon is in the waiting room and his wife is in the delivery room--he's reliving their life together through a series of flashbacks, scared to death that something will happen to her during childbirth. To be honest, I like the sequence in the film a *lot* better than the video. It's stunning. Sigh. Looks like it's time to pull out TSW and put on "This Woman's Work." Jeff (signing off before he starts bawling) -- |Jeffrey C. Burka |"I've lost my way through this world of | |jburka@silver.ucs.indiana.edu | profanities/I thrive on the wind and | |jburka@amber.ucs.indiana.edu | the rain and the cold." --Happy Rhodes|
judi@coyote.datalog.COM (Judi McKernan) (04/13/91)
Thanks to all of you who responded to my questions concerning "This
Woman's Work". The feedback was overwhelming! It makes so much more sense
now that it's been explained to me.
Actually, I'd heard rumors that "She's Having A Baby" was a pretty lousy
movie, but since you've all said that the scenes/song combination is so
good, I guess I'll have to give it a try.....
By the way- yes, I realize I've been HORRIBLY prolific lately in
posting to this group. But, there's so incredibly much I still don't know
yet about KaTe and all her doings, and asking tons of questions is the best
way for me to learn..... So, bear with me, folks!
judinrc@cbema.att.COM (Neal R Caldwell, Ii) (04/13/91)
From article <m0jRXFh-00014KC@coyote.datalog.com>, by judi@coyote.datalog.COM (Judi McKernan): > > Thanks to all of you who responded to my questions concerning "This > Woman's Work". The feedback was overwhelming! It makes so much more sense > now that it's been explained to me. > Actually, I'd heard rumors that "She's Having A Baby" was a pretty lousy > movie, but since you've all said that the scenes/song combination is so > good, I guess I'll have to give it a try..... Actually I quite enjoyed it. It had its flaws but it also had its moments. The wedding vows, the dream girl and the "Promise you won't get mad?..." sequences are all very memorable and of course the climax is one of the greatest tear jerkers in movie history. That's largely due to Kate's contribution but I'd also have to say it's a darn fine piece of movie making. I'd say this is a "must-see" for all newlyweds. :-) "Don't drive too slowly." Richard Caldwell AT&T Network Systems att!cbnews!nrc nrc@cbnews.att.com
jebossom@cognos.UUCP (John E. Bossom) (04/14/91)
In article <9104120218.AA14648@das.llnl.gov> ed@DAS.LLNL.GOV (Edward J. Suranyi) writes: >Anyway, the song comes in at this key moment in the movie: The >wife (played by Elizabeth McGovern) has just gone into premature >labor, and doctors are trying to save her and her baby. Meanwhile >the husband (played by Kevin Bacon) watches helplessly. The song >is from the husband's point of view as he realizes he can't do >anything. Bzzzzzzzzz..... close BUT, it wasn't a premature birth, it was a breach birth (breach births ran in the family, as her mother pointed out earlier in the movie). >... I explained, then insisted that we wait to see the credits so I could >be sure. Of course, it WAS Kate. You mean - GASP - you weren't sure?!?!? How could a Kate fan not know ;^)? -- John E. Bossom Cognos Incorporated Voice: (613) 738-1338 x6113 O_o P.O. Box 9707 UUCP: uunet!mitel!cunews!cognos!jebossom =( )= Ack! Ottawa, Ontario INET: jebossom%cognos.uucp@uunet.uu.net U CANADA K1G 3Z4
ed@das.llnl.GOV (Edward J. Suranyi) (04/17/91)
In article <9530@cognos.UUCP> you write: > >In article <9104120218.AA14648@das.llnl.gov> ed@DAS.LLNL.GOV (Edward J. Suranyi) writes: >>Anyway, the song comes in at this key moment in the movie: The >>wife (played by Elizabeth McGovern) has just gone into premature >>labor, and doctors are trying to save her and her baby. Meanwhile >>the husband (played by Kevin Bacon) watches helplessly. The song >>is from the husband's point of view as he realizes he can't do >>anything. > >Bzzzzzzzzz..... close BUT, it wasn't a premature birth, it was a breach >birth (breach births ran in the family, as her mother pointed >out earlier in the movie). It's been over three years since I've seen this movie, so I'm sure you are right. >>... I explained, then insisted that we wait to see the credits so I could >>be sure. Of course, it WAS Kate. > >You mean - GASP - you weren't sure?!?!? How could a Kate fan not know ;^)? > >John E. Bossom Cognos Incorporated Well, of course I was sure. I just wanted to see her name on the big screen ! :-) Ed ed@das.llnl.gov