Fig. 1. Radiohead's "In Rainbows" Album Cover.
Cass's Beauty
“All I need” by Radiohead has an emphasis on the theme of love and infatuation. The reading “The Most Beautiful Woman in Town” by Charles Bukowski also includes these themes since the story is told from the perspective of a man that is deeply infatuated with a woman named Cass. In the chorus it says, “You are all I need... You're all I need", this indicates the severity of an individuals longing to be with another individual. It expresses the exact way that the man feels towards Cass in "The Most Beatiful Woman in Town." The singer Thom Yorke bares his soul and explores love in its many forms; he takes us through a journey of heartbreak, newfound joy, and spirituality in his bands albums and songs. In Charles' text it is stated multiple times that he considers Cass the most beautiful woman in town. This indicates the level of fascination that the individual has with Cass, not only that but he states, “She came out shortly, looking quite wonderful, her long black hair glistening, her eyes and lips glistening, her glistening…” In this quote the usage of the word “glistening” is meant to express the utter beauty and vitality that is seen from Cass. It is meant to convey a positive, appealing image that is deeply admired by others. Listening to this piece of art adds meaning to this reading because in verse 2 it states, "Who just wants to share your light." The term "light" is described to glisten, just like Cass's beautifulness. As you listen to it you find an internal connection with the both works of art, the protagonist in the text explains throughout the whole text how much he loved, took care, and was fascinated by Cass's beauty.
The fascination and obession
My selection "The Most Beautiful Woman in Town" by Charles Bukowksi had caught my eye and was the most valuable reading to myself. The themes it explores of fascination of an individuals persona and beauty is breathtaking, but also goes over the theme of desire and imperfection. The story delves into an unconventional, troubled relationship between the protagonist and a woman considered the most beautiful girl in town. Their relationship is messy, emotionally fraught, and at times heartbreaking. Bukowski explores the imperfection of love, showing that beauty can be both captivating and destructive. Bukowski often examines the theme of obsession in his works, and this story is no exception. The protagonist becomes fixated on the girl, which leads to a cycle of infatuation, disappointment, and disillusionment. The story reveals the danger of idealizing someone based on their physical appearance and the emotional turmoil that can result. Beauty is seen as the central theme since it is incorporated in the title itself. It shows how beauty can be both a blessing and a curse. The most beautiful girl in town isn't just a physical entity but becomes an object of fixation and longing. Bukowski uses this to explore the way society objectifies people based on their looks and the consequences of such a focus. As seen above, all these aspects have deeply attracted me more than compared to the other readings.
Personal Connection
The song “All I need” from alternative rock band “Radiohead" best represents the short story, “The Most Beautiful Woman In Town” by Charles Bukowski. First and foremost one of my former teachers had actually introduced me to the band. I discovered this song from just browsing on the band's discography. This piece of art sung by Thom Yorke depicts the situation and emotion the protagonist in Charles' text is going through when he finds out his lover passes away. Thom Yorke the composer and vocalist of the band had actually lost his ex-partner named Rachel Owen, whom he had two children with, due to cancer. Thom remarried in 2020, but he had shared with the world in the past his grief and pain from that tragedy. The correlation that the man in the short story and Thom Yorke have is quite interesting. In the song “All I need” it states, “I am just an insect… Trying to get out of the night.” This verse exemplifies how the man feels once he finds out about Cass taking her own life. Prior to the reveal he decides to get drunk and stay until closing time. The man personifies himself as a bug since he feels helpless and vulnerable, like an insect. He wants to drink his thoughts away since we all know alcohol gives us the ability to forget what we can't forget. He wants an escape from reality, he wants to leave this night behind.
Radiohead vs. Bukowski
Infatuated
The man from “The Most Beautiful Woman in Town” is my MVP. He is deeply infatuated with Cass, a woman who was the most beautiful girl in town with 5 sisters. The dull ones said she was crazy, though she has done some questionable things. Men saw her as a sex machine and didn't care if she was crazy or not. The man who is deeply infatuated with her continues to be once he finds out who she really is, he takes her and her insane antics. Her undeniable beauty reflects on him as he says, “Pretty isn't the word, it hardly does you fair.” Cass tragically commits suicide at the end of the short story, resulting in the mans unreciprocated words and love. Radiohead's “All I need” adds onto the emotion and feelings expelled from the man in “The Most Beautiful Woman in Town.” The longing of a person that is explained in Radiohead's song is somewhat eerie but captivating. The calm music and gentle strings, piano, and synthesizers add onto the overall message generated from this work of art. People might see it as an exaggeration but the verses “All I need” automatically show the level of love this individual has for another. Feelings are spilled and metaphors are utilized various times in this song. The man in the short story loses his love. At some point you could say he was happy, the memories they shared, the talks they had, all thrown away. She left him and now he withers alone, drunk and cold. The unreciprocated love that is shown in Radiohead's piece goes into depth on what most likely he is going through. His reaction, his emotions, his grief, it all comes together to create the longing of a person, the unreciprocated love because that person is gone, and the damage of one's self-esteem.
Works Cited
"The Most Beautiful Woman In Town", English 1A, taught by Jay Lewenstein. Canvas, College of the Desert, https://hellopoetry.com/poem/9444/the-most-beautiful-woman-in-town/Links to an external site.
Links to an external site.Radiohead, "All I need", Radiohead, 2024 ML Genius Holdings, LLC, https://genius.com/Radiohead-all-i-need-lyricsLinks to an external site.
Radiohead "All I Need." In Rainbows, Warner Chappel Music Publishing, 5 January 2009.
"Radiohead- All I Need "Scotch Mist"." Youtube, uploaded by Radiohead, 31 December 2007, Radiohead - All I need music videoLinks to an external site.
https://youtu.be/ioPDGJIf2QI?si=cCgPCzbxGTaiLIKO
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