“I didn't just want songs that would allow me to lash out with my voice,” he says. “It had to be songs I could actually work on, do something with. I even chose a few that would lead me into fairly unknown territory.” Indeed, it's an album with a handful of cover tracks stripped to the core, altered considerably, resulting in very personal interpretations that seek the minimal: vocals, piano, once in a while a stroke of strings and perhaps—if the song would ask for it—an electrical guitar.
Songs of Innocence features songs that go for Emotion, capital E. No volume, nor violence. Just tension, subtlety, nuance. “I wanted to bring the atmosphere and the feel of classical music into pop music,” says Jasper. “I know a lot of people shy away from classical music because they think it's too high brow for them. It would be great if some of them would get closer to classical music through this record.”
The album thus constitutes the end—or the beginning—of a personal quest into his own potential as a singer, as an artist who wants to explore his talent, discover ways to go beyond what he would think to be its limits. His inspiration: Jeff Buckley. “Buckley never stopped looking for songs to cover,” says Jasper, “because he felt music, be it from the present or the past, shouldn't just exist on a shelf, but should reside in your head, in your body. He felt you could only make music enter your body if you worked on it, if you played and tried to understand the work of other musicians.”
Songs of Innocence is a courageous album, one that isn't afraid of taking on the callenge of performing the songs of others. In Jasper's version each one of the tracks are reborn: Madness'. ‘It Must Be Love' becomes a heart-felt ballad, Elton John's ‘We Al Fall In Love Sometimes' loses its kitsch, The Chemical Brothers' ‘Golden Path' turns into a quest for the original, and Bob Dylan's ‘Make You Feel Love' sounds as if it's raining rose petals.
Songs of Innocence is a testimony to Jasper Steverlinck's consciousness as an artist who is ready to discover and keep on discovering the power and imagination of music, of all those songs—some forgotten, others never forgotten—that managed to give us beauty and consolation.
Sympathy
Jasper Steverlinck Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when you climb
Into your bed tonight
And when you lock and bolthe door
Just think of those
Out in the cold and dark
'Cause there's not enough love to go round
And sympathy
Is what we need my friend
And sympathy
Is what we need
And sympathy
Is what we need my friend
'Cause there's not enough love to go round
Now half the world
Hits the other half
And half the world
Has all the food
And half the world
Lays down and quietly starfs
'Cause there's not enough love to go round
The song "Sympathy" by Jasper Steverlinck explores the theme of inequality and the lack of love in the world. Through the use of contrasting imagery, Steverlinck highlights the vast gap between those who have and those who do not. The opening lines - "And when you climb into your bed tonight, and when you lock and bolt the door" - provide a sense of comfort and safety, while the next line - "Just think of those out in the cold and dark" - introduces the image of those who are less fortunate and neglected. Steverlinck goes on to state that "there's not enough love to go round" which implies that the world needs more compassion and empathy.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase "And sympathy is what we need my friend", emphasizes the idea that actions need to be backed up with compassion and understanding. The second verse of the song continues with the theme of inequality, stating "half the world hits the other half, and half the world has all the food, and half the world lays down and quietly starfs". Steverlinck highlights the disparity between those who have plenty and those who struggle to survive. The song ends with the repetition of the phrase "there's not enough love to go round" which creates a sense of hopelessness and urgency.
Overall, "Sympathy" is a thought-provoking song that raises awareness about global inequalities and the need for more compassion and empathy in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
And when you climb
As you lay down to rest
Into your bed tonight
In your comfortable and safe bed tonight
And when you lock and bolt the door
And secure your dwelling place
Just think of those
Consider the fate of those
Out in the cold and dark
Who have nothing, no comfort, no light
'Cause there's not enough love to go round
When kindness and compassion are in short supply
And sympathy
Our fellow human beings need our empathy
Is what we need my friend
We must be there for each other
And sympathy
Caring and understanding are essential
Is what we need
In the world we live in today
And sympathy
Do not turn a blind eye to the plight of others
Is what we need my friend
We must act with kindness and consideration
'Cause there's not enough love to go round
Because love is a scarce commodity
Now half the world
A large proportion of the world's population
Hits the other half
Is at odds with each other
And half the world
While the other half
Has all the food
Enjoys abundance and plenty
And half the world
Yet half the world
Lays down and quietly starfs
Fading away silently and unremarked
'Cause there's not enough love to go round
Due to the lack of kindness and compassion
Contributed by Ellie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.