How can we get through tough times? By sticking together.
“Stillness is the Move” by Dirty Projectors accommodates many interpretations. At first listen, the female vocalist is telling her partner that she will always love him/her, that instead of longing for bigger and better things, she will remember what they’ve gone through.
On the other hand, isn’t this song urging us to employ patience with Obama?
The song starts by tracking the arc of generation-me’s political engagement. Obama’s candidacy marked the turn from “No opinion about anything” to idealism “I know we’ll make it after the wait.”
The lead singer, Amber Coffman, acknowledges his long-term economic stimulus program, even declaring her participation: taking whatever job is available for now.
Maybe I will get a job
Get a job as a waitress
Maybe waiting tables in a diner
The highest note in the chorus emphasizes the president’s can-do optimism. Echoing last summer’s campaign slogan “Yes We Can” in the contrapositive, the song goes:
There is nothing we can’t do[!]
She is clearly in a supporting role, a woman/citizen who takes pride in her loyalty.
I’ll see you along the way baby
The stillness is the move
Despite the urgent need for change, for an “even higher mountain,” Dirty Projectors advocate endurance. We’ve already experienced many crucial moments, but this is yet another, when the most important action is to vigorously support. Being still needn’t imply a return to apathy but rather steadfastness and perseverance. Indeed, with a farseeing perspective there is movement in stillness.
Recently, many of us have conversed with a mouthful of criticism regarding President Obama. Where’s my healthcare? Why so slow on Guantanamo? What the hell Don’t Ask Don’t Tell? The song is a rebuke of Kevin Baker’s harsh article in this month’s Harper’s:
Obama’s failure would be unthinkable. And yet the best indications now are that he will fail.
In Brooklyn yesterday, Dirty Projectors played at a Pool Party. And, Jewishly speaking, this is well timed because the haftorah portions of recent weeks bring home the same point: that we as a people should pause the bickering, look beyond temporary difficulties, and believe in the cause: another even higher mountain.
Finally, let’s consider the line, The question is a truth.
We can’t arrive at a truth without first asking a question, nicht wahr? There is no certainty without doubt as there is no stillness without movement. Obama represents, for the first time in 8 years, a clear choice by America. To the question, Who do you want as president? we answered “Obama,” while we originally didn’t have a genuine opportunity to answer “W. Bush.” Hence, Obama, by being linked to a question, is a truth.
A truth must be preceded by a question, doubt, uncertainty. That’s why “Isn’t life under the sun just a crazy crazy crazy dream?” resounds more than “Life under the sun is a crazy crazy crazy dream.” The listener feels empowered by the Socratic method, and brings his own answer, a truth far more powerful than one foisted upon him.
This importance of doubt underlies God’s decision to make the Jews wander for 40 tribulating years. Their loyalty both to God and Moses comes from deep within. For nomadic people wandering the wilds, ownership is immaterial. What you own most of all is your own set of beliefs. From hipsters to Hebrews, woodlands to deserts, SLOUCHING TOWARDS BUSHWICK.
Posted by Sam 
