By DiscoMonster
This is the story of a quiet that is used to avoid truths and conflict. It is also the story of some of the joys and necessity of quiet. It could be titled She’s Not There. He’s Not There.
Tacito and Shizuka had both said goodbye to love. But their blood and hearts never fully complied as it’s oh so quiet to be alone. They met, disturbed each other’s self-contained existence and fell boisterously in love.
Vows were made. A quiet house fashioned. There was calm bliss.
The melodrama of the world was replaced by silencio.
Eventually, the noise of the world hostilely intruded on their peace and created new needs. Words unsaid and said amplified their relationship’s distortion. They missed each other’s quiet heart – the peace they had once found when lay still and breathing at the same languid pace.
Not quite seeing the irony, Tacito went to loud places to find someone else to be quiet with.
Shizuka sought respite from the clamour of their relationship by losing herself in dance. She conveyed only feeling – offered no words. She enjoyed not having to speak.
They met others. Romance set a riot in their hearts. “Speak low,” they murmured to lovers as they sought to recapture serene intimacy.
“Shhh,” they hushed – for secrecy, for shame, to heighten the thrill of illicit affairs.
The quiet maelstrom of their relationship led to fussing and fighting late at night. The man next door moved out to find a quiet place.
Tacito’s lover lost her heart to him. He cruelly hushed her. Told her to keep it down. Voices carry.
Shizuka overheard though. Acknowledging her own faults, she recognised a need for silence. Said to herself, I have a need for solitude, cool, verdant spaces beneath trees, secret empty places where no one will intrude.
Tacito felt she was saying: “World shut your mouth!”
Placation followed. Don’t ask. Don’t tell. Words could only do harm, so Tacito and Shizuka tried to enjoy the silence.
Stranded together. The same patterns emerged. “Beware the quiet life,” they said inaudibly to themselves. Thus, they turned to leave each other, never looking back.
Tacito became done with words and sound. He awaited the silent boatman.
Shizuka then thought “silencio” as she tended to her flowers – if they know of her internal disquiet and pain, they will die weeping.
Once – within the quiet consolation of a funeral – they met a final time. “Shhh / Peaceful” by Miles Davis played as they left the memorial service. Regretful eyes locked for a second, if only they had learned to balance quiet with the noise of the world.
The Ah! Be Quiet Big A-List Playlist (and more):
The Zombies – She’s Not There
Björk – It’s Oh So Quiet
Fleet Foxes – Quiet House
Jorge Drexler - Silencio
The Go-Betweens – Quiet Heart
Jamie xx – Loud Places (feat. Romy)
Bahama Soul Club – No Words (ft. Brenda Boykin)
Nina Simone – Speak Low
Prince – Shhh
Massive Attack – The Man Next Door
‘Til Tuesday – Voices Carry
Mary Chapin Carpenter – I Have a Need for Solitude
Julian Cope – World Shut Your Mouth
Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence
Japan – Quiet Life
Parliament – The Silent Boatman
Ibrahim Ferrer and Imara Portuondo – Silencio
Miles Davis – Shhh / Peaceful
Guru’s Wildcard Picks:
Yona & Orkesteri Liikkuvat Pilvet – Shhh...
Kuusumun Profeetta – Sataa lumi maahan hiljaa ja varhain
RiLF – Anechoic Room
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations from last week's topic: The undercurrent world: songs about quiet. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Fancy a turn behind the pumps at The Song Bar? Care to choose a playlist from songs nominated and write something about it? Then feel free to contact The Song Bar here, or try the usual email address. Also please follow us social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube. Subscribe, follow and share.
Please make any donation to help keep Song Bar running: