Human Sadness Julian Casablancas Rhetorical Analysis

The topic of sadness is a broad one: the reasons that bring upon the sadness, how an individual copes with the pain, and how long it lasts. It is an emotion that everyone feels, but experiences differently. The song ‘Human Sadness’ written by Julian Casablancas and Alex Carapetis (of Julian Casablancas & the Voidz) tries to encompass these feelings, mainly with rhetorical strategies and expert writing. The song cryptically brings up Casablancas’ personal reasons for his sadness, for example his parents’ divorce and his struggles with alcoholism as well as just a general feeling of rejection. Through the utilization of metaphors, allusions, aporia, personification and pathos the two lyricists ask the listeners to empathize with them and their experiences with this emotion.
The writer of this particular song has a long history in writing music. As the main singer of the perhaps one of the greatest American rock bands of the 21st century, he wrote 5 critically acclaimed albums almost by himself. His work with the Voidz gave him a chance to experiment and get particularly creative with his writing, which lead to the almost 11 minute song ‘Human Sadness.’ The song, described as “progressive and experimental
“And I don't need your tie, I don't need to, tired of saying it. We don't need more talk, don't empty out your canteen on the desert floor.” Most believe is has to do with his relationship with his father (with whom Casablancas had an unstable relationship throughout his father’s life) but this metaphor can be applicable to many relationships. His quote sounds like he doesn’t want to keep the “tie” between them (in this case, a family tie). As for the canteen, it would be retroactive to poor the water onto the desert floor: a desert is a desert, you pouring water onto it isn’t going to change the landscape. This is Casablancas saying, it’s too late, there is nothing more you can