[John Isbell]

Hi Aaron,

So ... are you convinced or not? You seem to have abdicated here!

Cheers,
John

[Aaron Novick]

The Winehouse is a nice sentiment, but "octopus in a straightjacket" is raw power.

The straightjacket gives you constraint; that it's an octopus, with its eight arms, shows you viscerally just how much potential is being inhibited. Plus, the image is just straight up hilarious.

This last point is important, because the whole song is about Brown using his pain for others' entertainment. This is clear from the official video for the song (which I didn't post initially because the verse with the image in question is cut in the video). So "octopus in a straightjacket" is basically the entire song in miniature. Incredibly powerful four words. The Winehouse doesn't come close.

[John Isbell]

Yes, you make a fine argument for octopus in a straitjacket. But I've never seen a partner assume her beloved might be "fighting some unholy war," as say the fallen angels did, and announce her allegiance to it. Winehouse was dead at 27 and the image to my mind goes some way to illustrating how she viewed her notoriously toxic relationship. I think it's more powerful than you've yet given it credit for.

Cheers,
John

[Mark McDonnell]

It's a bit Captain Beefheart, isn't it?

"A squid eating dough in a polyethylene bag is fast and bulbous."

Great tune though!

[Aaron Novick]

I had intended to post the video, but forgot. It's very good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L4JnAuW00k

[John Isbell]

Good morning Aaron,

I guess you were convinced by my explanation, because you haven't responded to it. That is, if what you were looking for was discussion of your challenge to others, instead of ex cathedra pronouncements from you.

Cheers,
John

Update: just to add, this approach reminds me a bit of the Italian national team in the 1991 European Ultimate Championships. They'd make a pass, and then pose for a moment. It'a a natural temptation. Meanwhile, the disc would be caught, or not caught, or intercepted. Play went on. The team did not do well in that tournament.

[Aaron Novick]

Winehouse's image, a lightly gussied up cliché, is too boring to be worth the knock-down, drag-out argument you seem to want.

[John Isbell]

Hi Aaron,

Sure, that's a little bit of dialogue from you. Well done!
I enjoy dialogue, I think it's why I enjoy teaching.

Cheers,
John