This is from a 1992 episode of The Simpsons, "Colonel Homer", which I watched last night. I love how the song, which was written for the episode by the voice actress, Beverly D'Angelo, strips all nuance and complexity from the experience of a companionable song. It would be absurdly simplistic for most of us, but Homer matches its absurdity. Here's one of the reasons The Simpsons used to be magical. We laugh at Homer but it's a laughter that comes as we're forced to acknowledge we know exactly why he reacts as he does. By presenting a simplified equation, it holds a mirror to the valuable experience we've all had at one time or another, when we connected with a piece of art because it somehow seems to understand us better than any friend or acquaintance.
The episode proceeds to be a parody of Coal Miner's Daughter and various other stories about troubled rises to fame. Homer is positioned as the corrupt manager, modelled on Elvis Presley's Colonel Tom Parker, but it's clear from beginning to end that he has no conscious idea of exploiting Lurleen. He's motivated by the power her song had over him and the desire to see her succeed. Again, his simple-heartedness is both funny and kind of beautiful.
This is the only episode of the entire series to be written solely by series creator Matt Groening.
The Simpsons is available on Disney+.
X Sonnet #1837
A phantom's wrists were tied behind a post.
A picture moved across the darkened room.
Between the candles, smoke revealed a ghost.
A voice remained beyond the day of doom.
Reflective tea would spread distrustful dreams.
Some figures stagger up the jagged beach.
A thousand miles down some hazy beams.
An ancient skull suggests a faltered reach.
A banshee born at dusk conceives a song.
A simple tune beguiles simple souls.
A burning building steers the driver wrong.
A mirror beer was warmed by freezing coals.
The final lizard dropped an ancient curse.
Decrepit hearts have dreamed of something worse.
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