Silence is Golden

No, I am not making a pun on our blog's name. "Silence is Golden" is a song that was originally performed in 1967 by a British group known as The Tremeloes. The Tremeloes was one of the British groups that tried to make the transition to the American music industry. During their tryouts in the United States, they actually beat out The Beatles for an audition to tour with a famous imitation group, but I guess you could say The Beatles got the last laugh since not many remember The Tremeloes.

"Silence is Golden" made it to the #1 spot on the UK charts and the #11 spot on the U.S. Billboard top 100. My mom claims the song reached the #1 spot for the Los Angeles area, so I bet it's that damn Midwest that prevented the song from reaching the coveted #1 spot on the billboard.

All of the band members were strong singers, so they have heavy harmony throughout the song. It's difficult to identify the lead singer because the lead seems to jump around the group creating an emphasis on certain words. In my opinion, this simple harmony truly enhances the song. It's a sound you don't hear often in today's music which emphasizes strong soloists who prefer to sing all over the place to show their range. *cough* Mariah Carey *cough*

The reason this song stood out to me was the lyrics. It's a song that has a romantic longing feeling. This man is watching the love of his life getting cheated upon. He can't bear the thought of telling her because he doesn't want to see her cry. Besides, he knows she won't believe him. So, he looks on as his love loves another who is being unfaithful to her. He would like to do something, but all he can do is remain silent. For this reason, silence is golden.

There are rich emotions in this song. It's a complicated situation where there is no correct action. I can only imagine what the guy is feeling. He wants to tell her, but at the same time, he is conflicted. Is he telling her out of love? Or out of selfishness to have her for his own?

Even though the cheater is the real one at fault, often times, the messenger is blamed as well. She may living a dream, but to wake her from it would be just as harsh. The singer knows this, and he can't hurt her by revealing the truth. It's quite a conundrum: to have her be happy in ignorance or know the truth.

I, especially like how he is reminding himself not to break his rule of not telling her. "Mind your business, don't hurt her, you fool." He knows it's foolish to love someone who is already taken, but he can't help it. And to watch them hurt themselves is unbearable. Only the insane or those in love torture themselves like this.



If the video doesn't work, click here to hear song.

Lyrics

Oh, don't it hurt deep inside
To see someone do something to her
Oh, don't it pain to see someone cry
Oh, especially when someone is her

Silence is golden, but my eyes still see
Silence is golden, golden
But my eyes still see

Talking is cheap, people follow like sheep
Even though there is nowhere to go
How could she tell, he deceived her so well
Pity, she'll be the last one to know

Silence is golden, but my eyes still see
Silence is golden, golden
But my eyes still see

How many times will she fall for his line
Should I tell her or should I keep cool?
And if I tried, I know she'd say I lied
Mind your business, don't hurt her, you fool

Silence is golden, but my eyes still see
Silence is golden, golden
But my eyes still see

Any thoughts on the song? What would you do? Would you watch in silence?

Author's note:
I wouldn't tell her because I'm a coward, as we all know.