I was surprised to see No Apologies show up on least favorites lists. I have
always loved the song and IMHO it is a highlight of TTT. I am not a musician
but I love the sound of the music. Thematically it is an examination of
masculinity at the end of the twentieth century. The General's story and the
story of Juan are both sides to the same story. The pomposity of men. The
General dismisses the brutal rape as essentially "boys fun". Juan thinks so
highly of himself he considers himself the devil. (A friend told me she thinks
Freddie is Fred Walecki and Juan is Jackson Brown, Juan being Spanish for John
or Jack. I am not sure I buy this theory but it is intriguing.)
Then just when you think the song is going to be a complete bash of men the
lyric turns empathetic - "snakes and snails and puppy tails are wagging in the
wound beneath a trampled moon, posing the question - "what makes a man a man
in these tough times?" The theme becomes universal and the question is left
unanswered.
This is just a thumbnail analysis, typing tires me quickly. There are many
layers to the song which I might follow up on later.
If I were to have a criticism I would say the buoyant, upbeat nature of the
music doesn't seem to support the theme.
peace, david
NP - Peel Me A Grape, Paula West
