Born on 9th March 1942 in Garnant, Wales, Cale spoke only Welsh until the age of seven, when he began to learn English at school. He went on to study viola at Goldsmiths College, University of London, where he became involved in avant garde music. He traveled to the U.S. to continue his studies, thanks to the help and influence of Aaron Copland, and met and worked with various avant-garde composers, including John Cage, while becoming fascinated with the new Anglo-American art movements.
In 1965, he co-founded the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed. Though best known for his work with the band, Cale has produced a massive body of work that ranges from tastefully arranged strings and piano over Dylan Thomas poetry to barely-suppressed, nigh-psychotic aggression set to high-energy avant-garde rock. Cale's style is almost impossible to pin down, as almost every album contains new experiments and influences. He is also well known as the producer of such works as the debuts of The Stooges, The Modern Lovers, and Patti Smith (the critically acclaimed 'Horses'). He also played a major role in Nico's 'The Marble Index'.
He's released some compilation works such as 'Seducing Down the Door: A Collection 1970-1990' that attempt to show the range and depth of his music. Cale was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as member of the Velvet Underground in 1996, and he was also appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2010. As the years have gone by, he's had a wide variety of tours, additionally dealing with his own personal demons.
Zen
John Cale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and our silver tongued obsessions come at us out of the dark
Scrambling to be recognised before tearing themselves apart
It's zen and the art of Bollywood
Heroes turning on a spit
The lovers unable to resolve a pre-historic bitch
We don't know the half of it
Clever is as clever does
Hypnotising everyone on it
In zen and the art of forgery we're losing control of light
DeLorian, Picasso, Mondre and El Greco some one's gonna pay the price
If I didn't know you better than that
I'd never let you outta my sight
Where is the art of sorcery
We wanna be fooled again
Staggered by deception charmed into submission
Helpless as a deck of cards.
It's now the art of reality
Calling a spade a spade
Facing the obvious
A monkey and his grinder
But on a different plain.
I see you clearly from day to day
As clearly as I see tonite.
Keep talking said the slow-eyed Mandarin
"I've got nothing to say"
Meet me on the staircase on your way down
We'll see if there's been a mistake
In zen and the art of algebra
There is no value for time
Whatever thrives inside the dark
Decays on the outside.
The song Zen in 2 by John Cale depicts the chaos and confusion that exists in modern society. The lyrics describe how we are constantly bombarded with messages, beliefs, and ideas that are contradictory and impossible to reconcile. These messages come from different sources, including the media, religion, and popular culture. The phrase "Zen and the art" is a reference to the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which discusses the importance of focusing on the present moment and finding balance in life.
The opening lines of the song suggest that despite the darkness, there are still moments of beauty and brilliance that emerge. The reference to Bollywood heroes turning on a spit is a metaphor for the way in which society often exploits and objectifies celebrities. The lovers unable to resolve a pre-historic bitch highlights the way in which relationships can be fraught with tension and unresolved conflicts, even when they seem perfect on the surface.
The lyrics then move on to discuss the way we are losing control of our ability to distinguish between what is real and what is fake. The DeLorian, Picasso, Mondre, and El Greco references seem to imply that we are no longer able to fully appreciate the value of authentic art and culture. Instead, we are more concerned with finding new and innovative ways to deceive and manipulate others.
The song concludes with the suggestion that we need to face reality and stop pretending that everything is okay. The monkey and his grinder metaphor seems to imply that we are all trapped in a cycle of repetitive patterns and behaviors, much like a monkey who performs the same tricks day after day. Overall, Zen in 2 is a powerful commentary on the state of modern society and our collective struggle to find meaning and purpose in an increasingly chaotic and confusing world.
Line by Line Meaning
It's midnight
The singer sets the scene for their thoughts to follow.
and our silver tongued obsessions come at us out of the dark
Our secret desires and ambitions come to light in the middle of the night.
Scrambling to be recognised before tearing themselves apart
We struggle to fulfill our ambitions before they crumble away.
It's zen and the art of Bollywood
The artist compares their current state to a fusion of Eastern spiritualism and Indian film culture.
Heroes turning on a spit
Celebrities and idols are criticized and mocked by the public.
The lovers unable to resolve a pre-historic bitch
A long-standing disagreement between lovers that cannot be resolved.
We don't know the half of it
There is more to the situation than what meets the eye, and we are unaware of the full complexity.
Clever is as clever does
Intelligence is only useful if put into action.
His drawn lights sparkling on a merry-go-round
On a carousel, lights create a false sense of joy and wonder.
Hypnotizing everyone on it
The false joy is enough to distract and enthrall people.
In zen and the art of forgery we're losing control of light
In the act of forgery, we are manipulating the truth and reality.
DeLorian, Picasso, Mondre and El Greco some one's gonna pay the price
The reliance on fame and reputation will eventually come back to haunt those who trade on it.
If I didn't know you better than that
The singer is addressing someone they trust intimately.
I'd never let you outta my sight
The singer would worry about the person's well-being if not for their trust.
Where is the art of sorcery
The singer longs for the sense of wonder and enchantment that comes with magic.
We wanna be fooled again
Despite knowing the truth, we yearn to be fooled by illusions once more.
Staggered by deception charmed into submission
Deceived and led astray, the artist has no power over their emotions.
Helpless as a deck of cards.
The singer has no control over their fate, like a deck of cards that can be shuffled as desired.
It's now the art of reality
The singer contrasts the previous state of illusion with the harshness of reality.
Calling a spade a spade
Speaking clearly and bluntly, not hiding the truth behind ornate language.
Facing the obvious
Acknowledging the truth, no matter how ugly it may be.
A monkey and his grinder
The artist makes an analogy between a street performer and the struggle for success in modern society.
But on a different plain.
Despite the analogy, the singer acknowledges that the two situations are different in reality.
I see you clearly from day to day
The artist observes someone close to them regularly and knows them well.
As clearly as I see tonite.
The singer has a clear and present feeling about the current situation and the person involved.
Keep talking said the slow-eyed Mandarin
The singer addresses someone who appears to be passive and slow-thinking.
"I've got nothing to say"
The addressed person refuses to engage in conversation.
Meet me on the staircase on your way down
The artist is requesting an encounter when the addressed person is leaving.
We'll see if there's been a mistake
The artist is uncertain of the accuracy of a certain incident or situation.
In zen and the art of algebra
The singer makes another analogy, this time between algebra and spirituality.
There is no value for time
Time is meaningless in the grand scheme of things, according to the singer.
Whatever thrives inside the dark
The secrets and unknowns of darkness are crucial to the life and growth of living things, according to the artist.
Decays on the outside.
Although the darkness is important for growth and transformation, it can also lead to decay and destruction.
Contributed by Ryan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.