Well done all of you out there who recognise the reference to the title track from Taylor Swift's fourth album. You are awesome people. Not that you non-Swifties aren't, but you will be glad to hear that that's not all I'm posting about today. I'm sure you're all aware that tomorrow's Red Nose Day (otherwise known as Day When We All Come To School Humiliatingly Dressed In All Red, all in the name of charity), so I thought I'd mention some cool things about the powerful, dangerous, attention-seeking and in Chinese tradition prosperous colour that is red (I know its the second symbolism post in a month, but I guess that's what I'm interested in right now).
I know I said I wouldn't talk about Tay-Tay too much, but as I've probably said before, she is my absolute favourite artist ever, and also one of my greatest role models and the person who inspired me to write songs. Her latest album was named after the colour of death and love that always apparently appeared in her mind after break-ups in her life as a teenager and young adult. But my favourite song on the album is not one of the break-up ones (although I do like Red, Begin Again and Starlight) but rather a song called The Lucky One, which is about how fame can affect young people like Taylor. Here's a video for you to sing along to:
Now for the actual history and symbolism of the colour red. The word actually comes from an Inuit word for "like blood". It of course has many shades, my favourite being the bright red of the little cardinal bird with the quiff. As well as being dangerous, powerful and prosperous, it's also symbolic of freedom; some Chinese and American brides wore red instead of white during their country's revolution. It's also thought to be a courageous and inspirational colour, worn much in mediaeval battles, and I think that's the connotation I associate with most. Especially when I look down at the scarlet skinny jeans I'm wearing for Red Nose Day, I can see it's more of a brave and call-the-shots colour than others (even when my favourite colour is actually green).
Sorry I haven't posted for almost two weeks, it's not really in keeping with my New Year's Resolution to blog more often :\. On a more positive note I'll leave you with my once-scarlet-headed other musical inspiration Rihanna on her iconic Loud album cover (she had the most legendary hairstyle in history in my opinion. Why did you ever leave this mesmerising colour for brown, Rihanna?) , and the icons of Red Nose Day (aww, they're so cute! Little dinosaurs on your nose :)).
(N.B. None of the images or videos in this post are mine)
-DP :)
I know I said I wouldn't talk about Tay-Tay too much, but as I've probably said before, she is my absolute favourite artist ever, and also one of my greatest role models and the person who inspired me to write songs. Her latest album was named after the colour of death and love that always apparently appeared in her mind after break-ups in her life as a teenager and young adult. But my favourite song on the album is not one of the break-up ones (although I do like Red, Begin Again and Starlight) but rather a song called The Lucky One, which is about how fame can affect young people like Taylor. Here's a video for you to sing along to:
Now for the actual history and symbolism of the colour red. The word actually comes from an Inuit word for "like blood". It of course has many shades, my favourite being the bright red of the little cardinal bird with the quiff. As well as being dangerous, powerful and prosperous, it's also symbolic of freedom; some Chinese and American brides wore red instead of white during their country's revolution. It's also thought to be a courageous and inspirational colour, worn much in mediaeval battles, and I think that's the connotation I associate with most. Especially when I look down at the scarlet skinny jeans I'm wearing for Red Nose Day, I can see it's more of a brave and call-the-shots colour than others (even when my favourite colour is actually green).
Sorry I haven't posted for almost two weeks, it's not really in keeping with my New Year's Resolution to blog more often :\. On a more positive note I'll leave you with my once-scarlet-headed other musical inspiration Rihanna on her iconic Loud album cover (she had the most legendary hairstyle in history in my opinion. Why did you ever leave this mesmerising colour for brown, Rihanna?) , and the icons of Red Nose Day (aww, they're so cute! Little dinosaurs on your nose :)).
Enjoy your humiliating Red Nose Day guys!!!
-DP :)
