[tsaaapla]

Hello,

I'm not a very active poster on this forum, and I wasn't really active on @ either, but I read it daily and I've really enjoyed the Joanna Newsom forum. The reason I don't post much is because my main language isn't English, so I'm a little shy. That's why it took me a little bit longer to post this too.

Ok, here I go.

When thinking about the song "Easy", I didn't find it easy at all to write something about it. It's a song that makes my heart ache, but in a good way. It's my favourite song by Joanna. There's something very special about it. The lyrics are the most sincere and accurate way I've ever seen someone write about what I feel about love.

For me, it's like describing the feeling of being in love itself. I know there may be some hints about it not being corresponded, but I don't see it that way. I see it as if someone is thinking about their loved one, going through all the things that are implied when you are in love, the complications, fears, the uncertainty of life itself when it comes to being with someone, but in the end, it's easy.

For me, being "Easy" is about having that internal "peace" with uncertainty. I love the first verse, when she says "We are blessed and sustained by what is not said". For me, emotions and love itself isn't something we can describe with words, and in the end, not knowing exactly what it is or not being able to understand it fully, is a blessing, because it remains intact. It remains sincere.

My favourite part of the song is:

"All the livelong day,
if I have my way, I will love you.
But one can't carry the weight,
or change the fate, of two.
I've been waiting for a break.
How long's it gonna take?
Let me love you."

Love isn't only about one person. But it isn't only about two either. It's both. I feel that, even if one has to deal with fears, uncertainty, or whatever life brings, it doesn't matter when your heart is exploding with joy because you're in love with someone. And not in a selfish way. It's not asking for someone to love you back. It's asking for someone to let you love them, and I believe letting someone love you is by far the hardest part to do sometimes.

I feel like my interpretation is very subpar compared to others, language limitations aside, as it evokes so much feelings that I find it really hard to describe with words.

This is the first live version I saw, and it's so awesome live. Even though she says she's not a good pianist, I really love what she does with the piano in most songs, but this is by far my favourite.



Thanks for reading.

Oh.. and I'm so sorry for being a bit late!

[JeremyBalll]

Thank you for this, I loved reading it!

[Anykeylo]

It occurred to me, a couple of months ago, that Joanna's previous album was Ys (close to 'ease'), and that the first track on the follow-up is Easy (Ys-y!) -- but that probably doesn't mean anything.

I always find this song deceptively creepy. "Come on you little life-giver / give your life." Love it.

[adsexpist]

When I first heard this stunning, achingly gorgeous song, I knew that the rest of the album would surprise and delight ne. The new, refined texture of her voice is so warm, smooth and mature. This song reminds me of early Kate Bush, and not in the way people claim Tori sounds like Kate; I feel it was a geniune and respectful influence manifesting itself through Joanna's songcraft. There are other moments that remind me of Joni Mitchell in the early 70's. There is a playful tenderness here, and it is one of the most perfect album openers I have ever heard.