There actually isn't a thread directly addressing this subject. I looked thru all of the past posts. And I've seen the show multiple times. And I don't know what exactly a purple summer is either. Its a nice song, but one of the worst endings for a musical that I've ever seen.
Purple Summer, simply put. Is a coda to the show, unrelated to the storyline. When the light goes down at the end of "those You've Known", it is essentially the end of the Spring Awakening plot and story. Purple Summer is really just a commentary on the show about listening "to what's in the heart of a child", life going on, and the story being one from the past but still relevant to today. "I believe", the act one final that accompanies the infamus scene acts simply as a soundtrack almost. Notice that melchior and Wendla, the ones IN the scene do not participate. It saying as once again the lyric says, "I believe that all will be forgiven". They have constantly been told that what they are doing right then is wrong, dirty, and should never be done, but the song comments that even IF everyone thinks that, they believe they wil be forgiven for doing what FEELS right.
I feel as if its though they are commenting about the fact that the memories of Wendla and Moritz are the only thing that stopped Melchior from committing suicide, and how that affected him. He only stayed alive was to carry their memories, and to make sure someone stood for what they believed because they could no longer do so.
The awakening 'spring' brought "shall fade," and a 'summer' will arrive- a world that isn't plagued by the problems that were present in the 'spring.'
I hope I at least made SOME sense, and am not looking to deep into it. I tend to do that sometimes.
I don't know about the term "purple summer" in particular, but I think the lyrics pretty clearly fit the sentiment for the end of the show, i.e., that some parts of life die and fade, while at the same time others are reborn.
The songs in SA don't comment on the action or characters specifically. I think it works great and is refeshing. Other people don't like that.
I think it's a profound ending. I love that it is left open ended..I also love how all of the people who have responded thus far have different interpretations of the meaning, but in the end are all in the same ballpark. The only thing I would add is that for me, the color purple was a coda to the "bruises and wounds" referred to in "Word of Your Body." To me, it is a song about moving on..the innocence and exuberance of Spring moving slowly but inevitably into the wiser Summer. It's about growing up and being able to learn from our past mistakes. It leaves the show on a hopeful note, which I think is important.
Not sure what you didn't understand about "I Believe" and "Word of Your Body." I Believe is similar to the phrase "Our Bodies are the Guilty Ones," that despite the carnal sins we commit, there will still be a place for us in Heaven. The cast members are essentially absolving Wendla and Melchoir of their sins, a nice counterpoint to what is happening in that moment. Word of Your Body, signifies the awareness of these characters that allowing oneself to be open to love also makes them vulnerable to great pain and heartache. I think it's gorgeous.
" Its a nice song, but one of the worst endings for a musical that I've ever seen. "
i dont know if id say its the worst but definitely not the best way to end. Though i actually liked the ending better the second time around whereas the first time i was rather lost.
and yes, its a type of flower
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT Cages or wings?
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds.
Fear or love, baby?
Don't say the answer
Actions speak louder than words.
(Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
"Purple Summer", to me, is sort of a song of rebirth, about how everything gets washed away and you just try to pick yourself up and start again. Just moving on, basically.
I don't really like it as the ending of a show, but love the harmonies to it. It's just so pretty.
The first time I heard SONG OF PURPLE SUMMER, I knew what it was talking about, I was seeing the show and all that jazz, but some of the lyrics made me go "wtf?" Because...some of the lyrics..are...wtf.
I mean, Denzel Washington? Gun to my head..of course.
