Ignored Obscured Restored
Today’s post is the next episode of my “Contrast” series. The subject is the use of the phrase “wrecking ball” as a metaphor.
The concept of a “wrecking ball” has inspired numerous musicians across different genres, each bringing their unique style and interpretation to the metaphor. This post will compare and contrast “Wrecking Ball” by Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Walsh, and Miley Cyrus, focusing on lyrical themes, musical style, and emotional impact.
The first song I heard using “wrecking ball” was on Neil Young’s Freedom (1989) album. Emmylou Harris’s cover of “Wrecking Ball,” from her 1995 Grammy Award-winning album of the same name, produced by Daniel Lanois, presents a haunting and ethereal sound. The song features lush, atmospheric production, blending elements of country, folk, and rock.
Young’s lyrics, as sung by Harris, convey a sense of longing and introspection, as she sings about love and loss with a poignant, almost spiritual quality. The song’s slow tempo and Harris’s emotive vocals create a melancholic yet beautiful listening experience. Young’s wrecking ball refers to the place where he will meet his love interest. It’s a play on the use of the word “ball” as a dance.
Gillian Welch’s “Wrecking Ball,” from her critically acclaimed 2003 album Soul Journey, offers a more stripped-down, acoustic approach.
Welch’s song stays true to her Americana and folk roots, featuring simple guitar and banjo accompaniment. The lyrics depict a narrative of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Welch’s warm, earthy voice delivers the story of her self-destructive behavior as a young woman with a sense of intimacy and raw emotion, making it a personal and reflective song.
I was just a little Deadhead
A fallen daughter on a scholarship
I got tired and let my average slip
Then I was a farmer in the Pogonip
Where the weed that I recall
Was like a wrecking ball
Ryan Adams’s eponymous 14th album became known to his fans as Self-Titled (2014). I saw him perform solo at The Guild, in Menlo Park, where he played the full album, in order, to celebrate its 10th anniversary. A standout was “My Wrecking Ball.”
Ryan Adams’s “My Wrecking Ball,” combines elements of rock and folk. The song is characterized by its melancholic melody and introspective lyrics, reflecting on themes of heartbreak and emotional turmoil. Adams’s plaintive vocals and the song’s sparse arrangement create a sense of vulnerability and desolation, making it a poignant exploration of personal struggle.
I interpret Adams’s use of the phrase “wrecking ball” as a substitute for the idiom “knock me off my feet.”
Driving through the streets tonight
It’s hard I got the windows down
I wish I could call you
I wish you were still around
Nothing much left in the tank
Somehow this thing still drives
You forgot what it needed
But somehow still survives
And all the walls we built they must come down
Hey, you’re my wrecking ball
Won’t you come and maybe knock me down
Bruce Springsteen’s 17th studio album was titled Wrecking Ball. The title song was originally released as a live single in 2009, but later ended up in a studio version on the 2012 album release.
Bruce Springsteen’s “Wrecking Ball,” takes on a more socio-political angle. The song serves as an anthem of resilience and defiance, addressing the struggles of the working class and the challenges faced by modern America. Springsteen’s rock-influenced sound, combined with his powerful lyrics and energetic delivery, creates an uplifting and motivational atmosphere. The song’s chorus, with its call to “bring on your wrecking ball,” embodies a spirit of resistance and determination.
I was raised out of steel here in the swamps of Jersey, some misty years ago
Through the mud and the beer, and the blood and the cheers, I’ve seen champions come and go
So if you got the guts mister, yeah, if you got the balls
If you think it’s your time, then step to the line, and bring on your wrecking ball
Bring on your wrecking ball
Bring on your wrecking ball
Come on and take your best shot, let me see what you got
Bring on your wrecking ball
Joe Walsh released his album Analog Man (2012) with the help of Jeff Lynne. It also has a song called “Wrecking Ball” that was co-written with country artist Tommy Lee James.
Joe Walsh’s “Wrecking Ball,” infuses his signature classic rock style with a bluesy edge. The song features Walsh’s distinctive guitar work and a driving rhythm, creating a dynamic and energetic sound. Lyrically, Walsh uses the wrecking ball metaphor to address themes of change and upheaval, both personal and societal. It is a call to live your life with fearless, reckless abandon. His gritty vocals and the song’s robust instrumentation make it a powerful and anthemic track.
Live your life like a wrecking ball
Just get carried away
And then you bounce back from another close call
Live your life like a wrecking ball
In 2013, pop star Miley Cyrus dropped a single called “Wrecking Ball” that soared all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. In fact, it reached #1 twice, with a nine-week gap between its runs to the top.
Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball,” is arguably the most commercially successful and widely recognized of the songs listed. This pop ballad, produced by Dr. Luke and Cirkut, features a blend of emotional vulnerability and powerful vocal delivery. The lyrics discuss the pain and devastation of a broken relationship, with the wrecking ball metaphor symbolizing the destructive force of love. Cyrus’s passionate performance and the song’s catchy, dramatic chorus have made it a standout hit in her career.
I came in like a wrecking ball
I never hit so hard in love
All I wanted was to break your walls
All you ever did was wreck me
I came in like a wrecking ball
Yeah, I just closed my eyes and swung
Left me crashing in a blazing fall
All you ever did was wreck me
Yeah, you, you wreck me
The diverse interpretations of “Wrecking Ball” by Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Walsh, and Miley Cyrus highlight the versatility of the metaphor and its ability to convey a wide range of emotions and themes. From personal heartbreak to societal defiance, each artist brings their unique perspective and style to the concept, creating distinct and memorable musical experiences.
Enjoy… until next week.