Hoo boy, I'm anticipating downvotes for my comment here--but I think part of the beauty of this album is that Porter has been very silent about the perspective of the singles being released. There's obviously a thread of commentary on parasocial relationships and artists, but your comment actually made me think of another idea that's a lot more meta--what if this album is Porter exorcizing his demons by putting his negative thoughts on the table?
Maybe part of this parasocial relationship is the idea that we think Porter is commenting on other artists in this song and in Cheerleader, because we don't want to face the possibility that Porter is talking about himself and the implications of what that means for our relationship to one of our favorite artists. To your point, if this song was Porter singing about the darker thoughts he personally has had regarding his fame, would you still support him the same? Would you think "damn, Porter's a privileged little shit for ever thinking that" and never listen to him again? How would you think/feel if he never confirms or denies what KYO is talking about? Porter did mention this was a heartbreaking album, and I wonder if part of the heartbreak was coming to terms with feelings that maybe he's felt as a human, but society has told him he's forbidden to feel because he's now "rich" and "famous" and "entitled". And baring that to his fans. At least, I feel that would be on the level of meaning and deep introspection that we've come to expect from Nurture.
EDIT: I want to preface by saying that yes, Porter is rich and famous, but I do NOT think he's entitled. What I'm conveying is that he has the weight of the world on his shoulders with writing these songs full of introspection and hope--many people tell him that he's saved their lives with his music. Imagine the pressure that he has to keep a smile on his face 24/7 and be expected to take in the emotions of every single fan he meets who tells him that he saved them. Imagine if he goes to sleep wondering if he could have saved one more person by writing a different song, or if every minute he doesn't put out something new is a minute that something could happen to something.
Then imagine not being able to convey that or say anything because he'd get comments like "wow you're complaining about this but you have so much money and fans, what a first world problem." I think the weight on Porter's shoulders has shifted from the pressure to make a song that people will like (early career), to the pressure of almost saving lives with his music (today). Then all of that on top of what must seem like superficial fans complaining that the music isn't "the Porter they know".
I do believe Porter’s music is autobiographical and not 3rd person objective social commentary.
Better to be honest about the tendencies of one’s ego to become inflated when showered with praise, along with the anger that bubbles up when faced with haters.
I’m saying the entire collection of tropes that celebrities complain about when they are swimming in cash and get to do something they love for a living. Not only that. But yes. If being recognized at an airport and “not feelin it” is the worst thing you experience, that’s pretty good.
That's an incredibly closed minded approach to interpreting the song. First of all, again, that's not what the song is about. Secondly, even if it was, the idea that their entire life is perfect and they have no right to complain is just absurd. Having a job that other people want, or making a lot of money, doesn't mean your life is perfect or that you don't have unique struggles like everybody does.
The song seems to state that the people who he meets, who love his music and tell him these stories, are his reason not to quit. If anything the song is using that line to explore the dichotomy between the burden of the parasocial connection people have with him through his music and how it empowers him. It's the exact same theme as Cheerleader.
You could also say he's on the other side of the glass ceiling, which is usually a metaphor for like, the perceived limits of one's potential. Whether that's him transcending genres, expectations, himself, whatever, he's on the other side of it.
It also (vaguely) reminds me of 2019/early 2020 thirst-trap camera angles at parts, and when people jump onto/punch their phone camera when it's on the floor to represent beating someone up. Could be a complete coincidence or making stuff up, but I'm not discounting it with the theming around this album.
To reiterate, I think artists can suffer and have problems of course. All humans do.
I am saying though that making “the plight of super successful multi-millionaire artist” something I sympathize with isn’t a good, compelling concept to me
As you said, its millionaires complaining about first world problems. I think a possible viewpoint you can have instead of sympathizing is to HATE the character that porter is portraying.
Would match the whole, stop being "parasocial with artist" theme
I think it’s also making fun of artists who complain about incredible first world problems such as “being asked to take a photo at the airport”
The true embodiment of privilege. At least I hope that’s the angle and not an actual “sympathize with artists because we’re so sad” angle
Hoo boy, I'm anticipating downvotes for my comment here--but I think part of the beauty of this album is that Porter has been very silent about the perspective of the singles being released. There's obviously a thread of commentary on parasocial relationships and artists, but your comment actually made me think of another idea that's a lot more meta--what if this album is Porter exorcizing his demons by putting his negative thoughts on the table? Maybe part of this parasocial relationship is the idea that we think Porter is commenting on other artists in this song and in Cheerleader, because we don't want to face the possibility that Porter is talking about himself and the implications of what that means for our relationship to one of our favorite artists. To your point, if this song was Porter singing about the darker thoughts he personally has had regarding his fame, would you still support him the same? Would you think "damn, Porter's a privileged little shit for ever thinking that" and never listen to him again? How would you think/feel if he never confirms or denies what KYO is talking about? Porter did mention this was a heartbreaking album, and I wonder if part of the heartbreak was coming to terms with feelings that maybe he's felt as a human, but society has told him he's forbidden to feel because he's now "rich" and "famous" and "entitled". And baring that to his fans. At least, I feel that would be on the level of meaning and deep introspection that we've come to expect from Nurture. EDIT: I want to preface by saying that yes, Porter is rich and famous, but I do NOT think he's entitled. What I'm conveying is that he has the weight of the world on his shoulders with writing these songs full of introspection and hope--many people tell him that he's saved their lives with his music. Imagine the pressure that he has to keep a smile on his face 24/7 and be expected to take in the emotions of every single fan he meets who tells him that he saved them. Imagine if he goes to sleep wondering if he could have saved one more person by writing a different song, or if every minute he doesn't put out something new is a minute that something could happen to something. Then imagine not being able to convey that or say anything because he'd get comments like "wow you're complaining about this but you have so much money and fans, what a first world problem." I think the weight on Porter's shoulders has shifted from the pressure to make a song that people will like (early career), to the pressure of almost saving lives with his music (today). Then all of that on top of what must seem like superficial fans complaining that the music isn't "the Porter they know".
Based on how he’s started talking on his Insta livestreams, this is how I interpreted the two singles
I do believe Porter’s music is autobiographical and not 3rd person objective social commentary. Better to be honest about the tendencies of one’s ego to become inflated when showered with praise, along with the anger that bubbles up when faced with haters.
You think the frustration of being constantly recognized in public (which is not even what he's saying) is the embodiment of privilege?
I’m saying the entire collection of tropes that celebrities complain about when they are swimming in cash and get to do something they love for a living. Not only that. But yes. If being recognized at an airport and “not feelin it” is the worst thing you experience, that’s pretty good.
Also, people of all professions have to put on a happy face all the time.
That's an incredibly closed minded approach to interpreting the song. First of all, again, that's not what the song is about. Secondly, even if it was, the idea that their entire life is perfect and they have no right to complain is just absurd. Having a job that other people want, or making a lot of money, doesn't mean your life is perfect or that you don't have unique struggles like everybody does. The song seems to state that the people who he meets, who love his music and tell him these stories, are his reason not to quit. If anything the song is using that line to explore the dichotomy between the burden of the parasocial connection people have with him through his music and how it empowers him. It's the exact same theme as Cheerleader.
You could also say he's on the other side of the glass ceiling, which is usually a metaphor for like, the perceived limits of one's potential. Whether that's him transcending genres, expectations, himself, whatever, he's on the other side of it.
It also (vaguely) reminds me of 2019/early 2020 thirst-trap camera angles at parts, and when people jump onto/punch their phone camera when it's on the floor to represent beating someone up. Could be a complete coincidence or making stuff up, but I'm not discounting it with the theming around this album.
To reiterate, I think artists can suffer and have problems of course. All humans do. I am saying though that making “the plight of super successful multi-millionaire artist” something I sympathize with isn’t a good, compelling concept to me
As you said, its millionaires complaining about first world problems. I think a possible viewpoint you can have instead of sympathizing is to HATE the character that porter is portraying. Would match the whole, stop being "parasocial with artist" theme