“Aries” by Gorillaz (ft. Georgia & Peter Hook)
In “Aries”, the Gorillaz’ leader, Damon Albarn, is depicting himself as someone who is “isolated” away from the addressee. And despite the fact this track was dropped amidst the 2020 pandemic, where a billions of people were forced to quarantine themselves, within the context of the lyrics this sensation seems to be more symbolic than literal. Indeed to some degree, such as in the second verse, it can be argued that whom he is singer to is an estranged romantic interest.
But overall the sentiment that is being relayed is the singer’s desire to connect with the addressee. And part of the reason they are not currently together does not seem so much due to distance as it is he perhaps being in some type of emotionally-vulnerable state where he may not have been ready for such a relationship. But now his disposition is changing, and he is becoming more open to socializing with the addressee and this time keeping the individual ‘by his side’.
Conclusion
So again, this song can reasonably be interpreted as one in which the narrator has perhaps given up on romance. However, now, due to his feelings for the addressee, is re-entertaining the idea “falling in” love “again”. But in its entirety, “Aries” is viewed as a track in which the singer is expressing a desire to mitigate his loneliness via becoming closer to an identified addressee(s).
Noodle sheds light on “Aries”
Gorillaz’ guitarist Noodle got both astrologically and mythological in explaining the meaning of this song. He refers to Aries (i.e. people who fall under that astrological sign) as being “highly-impatient and competitive”, with many of them possessing “the fighting spirit of your mythological ruler”. And the latter statement would obviously be an allusion to Aries, the Ancient Greek god of war.
Facts about “Aries”
“Aries” was written by P2J, Peter Hook (of Joy Division and New Order fame). And of course Gorillaz’ members Damon and Remi Kabaka also co-wrote “Aries”.
Meanwhile the entire band produced the track – which individual credit given to Kabaka – alongside James Ford.
This is the first time the Gorillaz have collaborated with Georgia. Georgia actually plays drums on “Aries”. It is also the first time the band and Hook are working together musically. Hook provides vocals as well as bass on the track.
This track was released on 9 April 2020 as the third single from the Gorillaz’ animated-musical project entitled “Song Machine: Season 1”. The first two singles from that project are as follows:
Aries is about a muse. That muse can be anything, perhaps an astrological sign (aries), or perhaps (portrayed by 2D) a substance/drug. That muse is simple. uncomplicated. When you tap into it, it can sometimes ‘articulate’ the meaning of your life and help you do things like ‘play a happy tune on me’.
>I’m looking out at a volcano
Trying to read the world today and see where you’re at
Imagine your life sucks, you’ve lost perspective, you can’t make sense of anything. So you turn to your muse (a drug, in this metaphor). Suddenly you can sort of deconstruct and evaluate the mess you’re in. Many artists fall into this cycle, using the high tide of a drug trip to ‘read the world and see where they’re at’.
>I’m standing on a beach in the distance
And even though you’re far away, can you see my red light?
It’s waiting to turn green
While you’re going through the motions of life, unable to (or maybe, chose not to) partake in the ‘muse’ , that muse is out there somewhere, waiting to be visited again.
>I can’t play a happy tune on my own, so stay by my side
The muse only functions when you’re there to tap into it. If you cut the muse out of your life, you also lose the revelations and perspective it might offer you.
>And it feels like I’m falling in, again
It’s easy to get lost in the muse. In many ways, that muse can become addictive, to the point it feels like you’re “falling into it”. Just day after day, you never leave the muse’s side. In the video, this is conveyed by Noodle worrying about 2D and appearing somewhat frustrated with their joyride shenanagins. Yes, your muse can be a fun indulgence. But you need to return home and spend time away from the muse too. If you overindulge, you might distance yourself from other important things in your life.
Amazing point of view.
Totally mind changer.
CUZ IT FEELS LIKE IM FALLINNNNGGGG INNNNNN AGGGGAAAAIIIIINNNN this song got a beat so does DARE feel good inc rhinestone eyes and clint eastwood all my favorite songs!!!