None of the Above was released as a single in Japan in 1994 by Toshiba-EMI. It’s placement on The Wedding Album, sitting just after “Femme Fatale” is interesting, given that the two songs are absolutely nothing alike. Let’s give the song a good listen and see!
Lyrics
I am I, myself alone
Realize I never need to use no one
When it comes down to my soul
Freedom puts my faith in none of the above
There was a time I was so afraid
Of everything people around me said
That I wanted to hide my face in the shadows
There was a time on a bed of nails
I was dreaming a plan up that could not fail
But no power under the sun could pull it together
[Chorus:]
Can’t take this attitude
Got to show now I’ve got to move on
God knows where I’m going to
Its a lonely burning question
I am I myself alone
Realize I never need to use No-one
Money, power, Holy roads.
Freedom puts my faith in none of the above
If there’s a time that we ever see
The nature of life in reality
Then I want to be there
To kick at the answer
[Chorus]
I am I myself alone
Realize I never need to use No-one
When it comes down to my soul
Freedom puts my faith in none of the above
I am I myself alone
Realize I never need to use No-one
Money, power, Holy roads.
Freedom puts my faith in none of the above
[MIDDLE]
I am I myself alone
Realize I never need to use No-one
When it comes down to my soul
Freedom puts my faith in none of the above
I am I myself alone
Realize I never need to use No-one
Money, power, Holy roads.
Freedom puts my faith in none of the above
None of the above
My faith in none of the above
None of the above
I stand by none of the above
None of the above
I stand by none of the above
Audio
Rhonda
My favorite part of the entire song is the first 20 seconds, as Simon sings in full harmony. Coming in as a close second, are the top track of guitars in the next 30 seconds. I like the raw, untouched feeling. This is another song that relies on the vocals to provide most of the melody line, while the guitar is more rhythm than lead. During this period of the band, this was commonplace. To be fair, the guitar has it’s due with a shredding solo, and reminds me that yes, Warren does know how to play. Interestingly enough, this song brings the guitar and drums forward, and the synths are quite low in the mix. I don’t know if that is so shocking for this album, but when considering the breadth of Duran’s career, I think it is a little surprising.
Lyrically, this one of the most interesting songs on the album, no matter how you choose to interpret the words. The song, along with it’s potential meanings certainly are not dated. Freedom to choose nothing but yourself, self-reliance, along with the more obvious atheist themes, all are topics and words I tend to think about more today than I might have at 22, when this song first arrived into my window of vision. (or hearing, as the case may be!) Again those, this is one of those “sleeper” sorts of songs that I don’t tend to think about, or remember much, until I hear it again. Then I sit back and say, “Hey, The Wedding Album really wasn’t all about Ordinary World, was it?” No, it definitely was not.
Amanda
It is so interesting to me about how when I think about some songs, I immediately think of the music or the vocals or the lyrics. It is like each one has some element that I have grasped on to. I’m sure I’m not alone in this but I find this to be more and more the case with these album tracks on the Wedding Album. Maybe, this has to do with where I was in terms of my fandom when this album came out or what caught my attention the first few times I listened to it. I’m not sure. Anyway, for this song, it is definitely the lyrics that stick out in my mind the most, especially with the combination of the cover that features Jesus Christ/religious imagery. The lyrics spoke to me, with the main character of the song choosing no organized religion. Perhaps, the person has seen aspects of organized religion that has been connected to “money” and “power” that has been problematic throughout the history of the world and rejects it due to that. Maybe they realized that they just didn’t buy into any higher power. Whatever the origin of the lyrics, as someone who has rejected organized religion and Christianity myself, I appreciated it. I felt like someone thought and felt like me. To say that this would be refreshing would be an understatement as I have so rarely felt seen and accepted about this aspect of myself.
So how is the song beyond the lyrics? Right away, the song grabs me with Simon’s full and beautiful vocals, again giving me a sense of being surrounded in acceptance. Then, of course, the instrumentation kicks in, keeping the spirit of the song upbeat with noticeable guitars. It is an interesting choice to keep the musicality almost light and positive. This creates a mood that is uplifting almost, giving the listener a sense that not choosing any of the above is a *good* thing. Again, my non-Christian heart smiles at this. For the most part, musically, this song is pretty steady without a bunch of changes with the exception being more or less guitars. At times, I appreciate the guitars but I do find myself wishing there was just a little less around the four minute mark. It is just too much for me.
Overall, it is an enjoyable song for me due to the lyrics and vocals. There is a little too much guitars at times which takes away some of my enjoyment of the musicality. Nonetheless, it is a solid song.
