Al’s Music of the Day, 16 May 2025

Coexisting

Hey y’all, how ya doing? Miss me? Been busy tending to other fires and remiss in keeping Jackie company other than by commenting on her excellent work. Just another male, lurking. 👀

Actually, I’ve also been thinking a lot about women. Not in a romantic or sexual way, but in how they’ve shaped my life. I’m writing about that in my own Stack this week. Tune in tomorrow.

The current socio-political environment and the rise of strong female leaders and activists advocating for justice likely percolated this tune back into my consciousness. It is one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite artists. That Sinead O’Connor lends her beautiful voice to the track is a bonus.

The song was not that commercially successful, perhaps due in part to the controversy surrounding O’Connor. That it has religious undertones probably didn’t help.

According to Wikipedia: “Gabriel commented that he "wanted to use a Biblical image in 'Blood of Eden' because it was the time when man and woman were in one body, and in a sense maybe in a relationship."

Lyrically and musically, I find the song beautiful, a lamentation. While it speaks of union and communion, I don’t personally find it romantic. Haunting, evocative and soulful, yes. But no love song.

What do you think?