The Song of Solomon
Encyclopedia
"The Song of Solomon" is a song written by British singer Kate Bush
, included as the fifth track on her 1993 album The Red Shoes
. Thematically, the song deals with a lovelorn female, appealing to her lover for solace; the title of the song reflects this, coming from the book of the Old Testament
known as the Song of Solomon or the Song of Songs
. That Book deals with a turbulent relationship between a young man and a young woman in love.
group, amplified by the use of a Fender Rhodes. Bush herself plays the Fender Rhodes heard in the recording, as well as the piano
and the keyboard
. Percussion instruments and guitar were also used.
As well as the title, which refers to the Bible
, Bush uses a number of literary references and allusions in the lyrics of the song. The lines in the second verse, for example, "Comfort me with apples...", are taken from the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament. Additionally, Bush references figures from mythology in the third verse, among them the lovers Iseult
and Marion
. She also highlights the willingness of the song's protagonist to "do anything" for her lover with the reference to the Rose of Sharon
, from the Bible
and the John Steinbeck
novel The Grapes of Wrath
.
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
, included as the fifth track on her 1993 album The Red Shoes
The Red Shoes (album)
-Personnel:*Jeff Beck: Guitar*Haydn Bendall: Engineer*Gary Brooker: Hammond Organ*Kate Bush: Bass, Guitar, Piano, Arranger, Composer, Keyboards, vocals, Producer, Fender Rhodes...
. Thematically, the song deals with a lovelorn female, appealing to her lover for solace; the title of the song reflects this, coming from the book of the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
known as the Song of Solomon or the Song of Songs
Song of songs
Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon, is a book of the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. It may also refer to:In music:* Song of songs , the debut album by David and the Giants* A generic term for medleysPlays...
. That Book deals with a turbulent relationship between a young man and a young woman in love.
Lyrics and arrangement
"The Song of Solomon", like many of the songs on The Red Shoes, contains heavy background vocals by the Trio BulgarkaTrio Bulgarka
Trio Bulgarka is a Bulgarian vocal ensemble.They gained international prominence through their contributions to the groundbreaking 1975 world music album Balkana: The music of Bulgaria, originally released on the now defunct Hannibal label.The trio comprises Stoyanka Boneva from Pirin, Yanka Rupkina...
group, amplified by the use of a Fender Rhodes. Bush herself plays the Fender Rhodes heard in the recording, as well as the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and the keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
. Percussion instruments and guitar were also used.
As well as the title, which refers to the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
, Bush uses a number of literary references and allusions in the lyrics of the song. The lines in the second verse, for example, "Comfort me with apples...", are taken from the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament. Additionally, Bush references figures from mythology in the third verse, among them the lovers Iseult
Iseult
Iseult is the name of several characters in the Arthurian story of Tristan and Iseult. The most prominent is Iseult of Ireland, wife of Mark of Cornwall and adulterous lover of Sir Tristan. Her mother, the Queen of Ireland, is also named Iseult...
and Marion
Marion
-People:Surname*Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox", American Revolutionary War general*J. Paul Marion, Canadian politician*Jean-Luc Marion, a continental philosopher*Marty Marion, American baseball player, nicknamed "Mr...
. She also highlights the willingness of the song's protagonist to "do anything" for her lover with the reference to the Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon is a common name that applies to several different species of flowering plants that are highly valued throughout the world. The name's colloquial application has been used as an example of the lack of precision of common names, which potentially causes confusion...
, from the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
and the John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck
John Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. was an American writer. He is widely known for the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden and the novella Of Mice and Men...
novel The Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath is a novel published in 1939 and written by John Steinbeck, who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1940 and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962....
.