This song has to a single!

Some info I got somewhere:



Life is the ultimate reality show.

Sodom and Gomorrah are, of course, the names of two biblical "cities on the plain" destroyed by the wrath of God for their wickedness—the precise nature of that wickedness being the subject of much social and theological debate in recent years. The more historical interpretation, though ascribed to today only by right-wing types, is that it was the cities' sexual license—especially homosexual license—that incurred God's anger. More recent interpretations, adopted by modern liberal Christians, hold that the "sins of Sodom" were actually more akin to inhospitality and cruelty.

The track opens with a spoken introduction that would do any TV show proud: "Sun! Sex! Sin! Divine intervention! Death and destruction! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Sodom and Gomorrah Show!" It then launches into a highly elaborate production wrapped around a narrative in which a somewhat innocent, naive narrator—"a stranger to champagne"—is lured into what at first appears to him to be utter depravity. But it proves a liberating experience that also teaches him "the meaning of the show," suggesting also the meaning of life itself:

You've got to love to learn to live
Where angels fear to tread

In other words, you have to be brave and take chances if you're to get the most out of life. A cloistered life of innocence is hardly life at all. It's in the fullness of life that one finds the meaning of life—which is, in the words of the song, a "once-in-a-lifetime production."

Neil has acknowledged that this song could very easily be interpreted as a metaphor for "coming out," but he points out that it has much broader implications. People of any sexual orientation can try to shield themselves from the world or expose themselves to its "sun, sex, sin, divine intervention, death and destruction." It would be extremely unfortunate if listeners were to zero in on the "Sodom" reference and think that this is purely a "gay" song.

Incidentally, Chris and Neil wanted to release this as the first single from the album—an idea that their record company vetoed immediately and absolutely. It was felt that radio and television would refuse to air a song with "Sodom" in the title. The Boys scoff at this, noting that much more "offensive" words and concepts are broadcast all the time. And, besides, if the song were banned, might not that have boosted sales? After all, the history of pop music (particularly in the U.K.) is replete with examples of songs that became huge hits despite such bans—and in some cases largely because of them.


[Edited 5/5/06 14:55pm]

Listening to this song for the first time as i type this.

So far so damn Good.

I'm in love with M I N I M A l!

Yea Youre right M I N I M A L rocks!!

The album is amazing. I love it.

i have to admit, i'm a bit disappointed in Fundamental after my first couple listens. It didn't grab me immediately the way Release and Nightlife did. I would put it more on par with Bilingual - good but not great.

But still, that's only a couple listens. Maybe it will grow on me.

Its A Great Cd, I Just Wish It Wasnt So Ballad Heavy.