I didn’t expect to be blogging about My Quicksand before I commented on The Diving Board overall, but let me just say…I feel like I must! I have come to realize that this song is ABSOLUTE.GENIUS.
Which in and of itself is quite a surprise to me, because I didn’t really like the song at first (yes, my head hangs in shame). I gravitated toward Oceans Away, New Fever Waltz and Mexican Vacation. After a few listens, though, my feelings about My Quicksand have done a complete turnabout. Let me explain.
Can a song be onomatopoetic? If so, then My Quicksand fits the bill.
I literally have a visceral, physical reaction when I listen to this song. Nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Yes, I’ve teared up at songs, I’ve had to get up and dance to songs, I’ve smiled at songs, and I’ve gotten angry from songs…but My Quicksand has a completely different effect on me. It is amazing. Let me try to explain.
Honest to god, when I listen to it, I FEEL LIKE I AM DROWNING. From the onset, I can feel my heart beat slow down. My chest feels heavy. My breathing slows. It is so weird, yet so gratifying, at the same time.
I’m thinking that this might even be dangerous. Literally, literally…listen to the amazing baseline on the piano as Elton sings:
I’m going down
You and me together going down
It’s not what I’d been told about this town
That when you least expect it you can drown
In quicksand
But lest you think that’s the only stanza that affects me so – the whole song moves me. Bernie’s lyrics (“When the arrow’s in the bullseye every time, It’s hard assuming that the archer’s blind”), Elton’s voice, the piano, the orchestration – just genius. (Sorry, naysayers, T Bone knew what he was doing).
One more observation. The piano interlude is unexpectedly light. But it fits – it seems right to me. It’s giving up to the inevitability of that last stand. It’s relief.
Did I mention that I think this song is absolute genius?
Truly, when I least expected it, I drowned…in My Quicksand…
My Quicksand (The Diving Board – 2013)
The Captain and the Kim 
I so agree, Kimberlee! I like your new blog, congratulations!
I agree with you… Ive played the album everyday , since it arrived, at weekend a few times. There’s only one track Im not into (that may change).. I thinks its fabulous. I love Voyeur… and Like you “I woke up with an accent! ” xxx
Why haven’t I read this earlier? I wondered if I was the only one with nearly physical reactions to the intensity of this song. So I am not. You describe it so well, the way My Quicksand literally is pulling you in. I noticed that I can’t listen to it in my car, because I tend to close my eyes as soon as it starts (which is a bad idea while driving).
Thank you for sharing, Ulrike! My Quicksand is such an amazing song. Funny, after reading my blog post, my husband told me not to listen to it while I’m driving!
My Quicksand is a brilliant song – starting with Bernie’s brilliant lyrics. But the piano interlude is the most fascinating. It’s most “jazz” like piano I’ve ever heard Elton do. The little interjection of In the Hall of the Mountain King is genius. All in all, Elton’s piano work on this record is the most un-Elton like of his career. He really was inspired here.