Black Nightmares: Painted Windows And Dark Realities

Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted? is a lyric from the song Madman Across the Water by Elton John. The song was written by Bernie Taupin and composed by Elton John. The lyric has been described as one of the great Taupin lines in a career that has seen hundreds of his lyrics put to music. The song was released in 1971 and was the title track of Elton John's fourth studio album.

The song's dark themes

The line "Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted" is from the song "Madman Across the Water," written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John. The song was released in 1971 and is considered one of Taupin's best lyrics.

One interpretation suggests that the madman is not truly insane but is perceived as such by others, including his in-laws, who view him as a curiosity or a freak show. The in-laws' treatment of him is what drives him crazy, and he questions whether he can bear their weekly visits. This interpretation highlights the dark theme of the song, showcasing the impact of gaslighting and the potential harm caused by those who should be a source of support.

Another interpretation suggests that the song is about a sane person who is driven insane by being accidentally placed in an insane asylum. This adds another layer of darkness, alluding to the potential for mistreatment and the loss of freedom within the mental health system.

The song's imagery, such as the broken boat on the reef, further contributes to the dark themes, symbolizing something broken in the narrator's life that has left them stranded. The mention of rain can be interpreted as a metaphor for trouble, adding to the overall sense of despair and hopelessness.

Overall, "Madman Across the Water" delves into the dark themes of mental health, institutionalization, and the complexities of perception and reality, leaving the listener with a sense of unease and a deeper understanding of the human condition.

The madman's sanity

The line "Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted" is part of the lyrics to Elton John's song "Madman Across the Water", written by Bernie Taupin. The song is about a man in a mental institution, who may or may not belong there. The line in question is one of the great Taupin lines in a career that has seen hundreds of his lyrics put to music.

The song has been interpreted in many ways, with pundits suggesting the madman is a specific person, from Nixon to Hitler. However, Taupin has refuted these claims, stating that the lunatic in the song wasn't based on anyone in particular.

One interpretation of the song is that the madman is not truly insane, but is merely perceived as such. He sees himself as sane, as indicated by the line "I can see very well", a sign of sanity. The broken boat he sees signifies something broken in his life, which has left him stranded. The joke that he knows very well is "Take my word, I'm a madman, don't you know", indicating that he doesn't consider himself a madman.

The madman's family views him as a joke and a curiosity, and their shallow behaviour drives him crazy. When he asks, "Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted?", he is questioning whether the nightmare is real or if he is merely retreating from the outside world into his mind, where he is more comfortable. The windows represent a view of the outside world, a place that is nightmarish to him.

In conclusion, the line "Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted" is a powerful and thought-provoking lyric that has sparked much discussion and interpretation. It adds to the overall theme of the song, which explores the complexity of sanity and the way individuals and society perceive and treat those deemed as "mad".

The meaning of the line Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted?

The line "Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted?" is from the song "Madman Across the Water" by Elton John, released in 1971. Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics, which tell a story about a lunatic ranting on visiting day at the asylum.

The song's dark themes have been interpreted in various ways. Some listeners have speculated that the "madman" in the song is Richard Nixon, but Taupin refuted this idea. Others have suggested that the song is about Hitler, John the Baptist, or a sane person who has been institutionalised in a mental asylum.

One interpretation of the line "Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted?" is that the narrator is questioning their perception of reality. Are things as bad as they seem, or is their mind playing tricks on them? This interpretation aligns with the song's broader themes of insanity and paranoia.

Another interpretation is that the "nightmare" refers to the narrator's in-laws, who are driving them crazy. In this context, the line could be asking whether the problem lies with the in-laws themselves or with the narrator's perception of them.

Overall, the line "Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted?" adds to the song's sense of paranoia and uncertainty, leaving the listener to ponder the true nature of the narrator's predicament.

Speculation about the song's subject

There has been much speculation about the subject of the song "Madman Across the Water", written by Bernie Taupin and composed by Elton John. Some believe the ""madman" in the song is a specific person, such as Nixon or Hitler, while others interpret it as a more general character, a sane person in an insane asylum, or even John the Baptist.

One interpretation suggests that the song is about Taupin himself, or at least from his perspective. Taupin had recently married an American, Maxine Feibelman, and some believe the song reflects his feelings about how he was viewed by his new in-laws. The line "Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted?" could be interpreted as the narrator questioning their perception of reality and whether their nightmare is real or imagined. The "in-laws" in the song could be the source of the nightmare, as the narrator asks if they will "come again next week" and if his "mind can really take it".

Another interpretation is that the song is about a person who is struggling with their mental health and feeling misunderstood by their family. The narrator feels like a joke or a spectacle to them, and their family's laughter and shallow behaviour drives him crazy. The broken boat in the song could be a metaphor for something broken in his life, leaving him stranded.

A third interpretation is that the song is about a person in a mental institution, looking out at a boat on a reef, feeling stranded and unable to return to sanity. The "in-laws" in this case could be the doctors or nurses, and the narrator questions if they are coming to gawk at him, treating him like a freak-show curiosity.

While the true meaning of the song may only be known to Taupin, the lyrics have resonated with many people and sparked interesting discussions and interpretations.

Bernie Taupin's inspiration

The song's lyrics describe a man, presumably in a mental institution, who may or may not belong there. The line "Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted" is one of Taupin's great lines, and it captures the uncertainty of the narrator's sanity.

While some interpret the song as a reference to political figures like Nixon or Hitler, Taupin has stated that the lunatic in the song wasn't based on anyone in particular. The dark themes and influence of Leon Russell are also noted in the song.

The song "Madman Across the Water" showcases Taupin's legendary lyricism and his ability to capture complex emotions and experiences, making his partnership with Elton John one for the ages.

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