2) Nice was an Australian indie rock band which formed in 1991. The band was fronted by Randall Lee formerly of The Cannanes and later of Ashtray Boy on vocals and guitar; Susannah Stewart-Lindsay, previously a member of the Adelaide based band, Rewind on the Paranoid Side, on guitar; and Jo Packer on drums. Francesca Bussey, later a member of The Cannanes, was a member of Nice on bass guitar during the recording sessions for their first album, "Nice" (1992), but left during production and was credited only as a guest. Bussey was replaced on bass guitar by Mark King. The band split up in 1994.
Allmusic's Nitsuh Abebe felt that "Nice", which was issued by United States label, Feel Good All Over, showed that "Lee's dark jangle sounds absolutely stunning, and while the record's songwriting isn't as consistent as one might hope, the majority of it works incredibly well, with unconventional time signatures and progressions keeping things from falling into strummy banality". "Dear John", which was the lead track on Nice, was covered by the band Aden. The band's songs "Theme from Nice" and "Circuit Diagram" from their 1993 album, "Apple Pie", were included in the popular 1990s Nickelodeon show "The Adventures of Pete & Pete". Abebe described "Apple Pie" as "a step toward the more varied pop sound" of Lee's future work with Ashtray Boy.
Ars Longa Vita Brevis
Nice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Life is too short to paint a kiss
So sing a picture, paint a song
Take it home and bang your gong
Life is an ill cast comedy for fools
Ars Longa Vita Brevis
A caption to a life of bliss
Jumped off the bush to speak to me
Of life that's an ill cast comedy for fools
The lyrics to Nice's song, Ars Longa Vita Brevis, delve into the idea of the fleeting nature of life and the contrasting permanence of art. The title of the song, which is a Latin proverb, translates to "Art is long, life is short." The first line of the song, "Life is too short to paint a kiss," speaks to the idea that life can pass us by too quickly, and we should use our time wisely to create meaningful art and memories. Instead of physically painting a kiss, the lyrics suggest that one can "sing a picture, paint a song," which can also create lasting memories and emotions.
The second half of the lyrics use the metaphor of a comedy for fools to describe the nature of life. A "caption to a life of bliss" suggests that life can be a happy or positive experience, but the following line, "A rose too beautiful to see jumped off the bush to speak to me," depicts a moment of tragedy or loss. This contrast echoes the idea that life can be unpredictable and fleeting. The song encourages listeners to create art and music that can be taken home and enjoyed for much longer than the brief moments of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Ars Longa Vita Brevis
Art is long, life is short (Latin proverb)
Life is too short to paint a kiss
Life is brief, don't waste time on petty, insignificant things
So sing a picture, paint a song
Express yourself creatively and emotionally, even if it's not traditional
Take it home and bang your gong
Celebrate your accomplishments and individuality with confidence and pride
Life is an ill cast comedy for fools
Life can be cruel and absurd, especially for those who act foolishly
A caption to a life of bliss
A description of an ideal or perfect life
A rose too beautiful to see
Something that appears perfect and flawless, but may have hidden imperfections
Jumped off the bush to speak to me
An opportunity to gain insights or understanding about life, which may come unexpectedly
Of life that's an ill cast comedy for fools
Life can be unpredictable and unfair, especially for those who don't make wise choices or decisions
Contributed by Elliot D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MeloLand
Masterpiece!
Phillip Gudgeon
one of my first albums
massimo marchesin
GRANDE suite Prog rock !!!!!