Posts: 103
Threads: 2
Joined: Jun 2016
Reputation:
0
First off, I love this song. Was a favorite off MMP back in June and then grew to love it more after seeing It live this summer. And then listening to the Kingston version dozens more.
But I've always wondered what the hell it means. I can't understand what "what Blue" means in the context of this song. Anybody have any interpretations?
Posts: 367
Threads: 5
Joined: Jan 2016
Reputation:
0
My take: It's all in the eyes. Going back to the song "Man Machine Poem," Gord sings, presumably to his wife, "Your eyes...empty Pacifics". Definitely evoking the eyes=blue imagery there. He does the same thing in What Blue.
"In your eyes, the useless nights and all the dreary places, but what blue". It's an emphatic way of saying, "(Your eyes) what (incredible) blue!"
Posts: 238
Threads: 27
Joined: Aug 2006
Reputation:
0
In the same way you might exclaim "what (thrilling) drama!" at the final seconds of a frenetic close game.
Or perhaps "what (a display of) strength!" at watching an Olympic weightlifter set a new world record.
You can leave out the parts in parentheses and still have the same effect and meaning.
Her eyes? What (a shade of) blue!
When I look into your eyes, I see a reminder of the long road we've travelled, all the ups and downs of our relationship. 'And what (an incredible shade of) blue' your eyes are as well.
Posts: 1
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2017
Reputation:
0
I love the song too...had to learn it on guitar...to me..it is like a beautiful painting..love is in the eye of the beholder..it's expressing love that is the ultimate
Posts: 1,605
Threads: 157
Joined: Aug 2006
Reputation:
0
What Blue strikes me as a love song about love after the relationship has ended. The lyrics seem to be speaking in the past tense. Useless nights, dark doors, dreary places, solitude, disenchanted paths. Dark shit. I know it's probably my own projection but I feel like he is speaking to his "Life partner" after the partnership has ended. It's an examination.
Posts: 553
Threads: 24
Joined: Apr 2004
Reputation:
0
I was wondering if it was possibly about his father? Just a few lines that made me think of parent/child ("what love looks like, it's the longest thing that we do" and "what drove and drives you drove and drives me too").
