Audio Consideration - Damien Rice

Damien Rice 'Nine Crimes'

By Megan Sugden and Stuart Brown

Here we have selected the lyrics that we feel relate to our story in this song, though this might not be the intentional subject matter, the words can be associated to what our character went through.

'Leave me out without the waste
This is not what I doIt's the wrong kind of place
To be thinking of youIt's a small crime
And I've got no excuse'

The first line would show in a way self hatred, he doesn't feel like he's worth anything and if were to be thrown away, like rubbish, no one would miss him or notice that he's gone. This new chapter in his life about self harm feels like it's not who he is, but it's who he's become and it's not a person he's proud of. By thinking of another person, and the fact that he feels its the wrong kind of environment to be wanting another person next to him, whether its a love interest or his brother. It feels like self harm is a small crime and it's only afflicting himself as a victim so although its not hurting anyone else and he feels its his business and his business alone, he knows he's very lucky to have all that he does, he's know's he's better off than most people which is why he has no excuse to be so sad; but yet he is.

'Leave me out without the waste
This is not what I doIt's the wrong kind of place
She's pulling me throughIt's a small crime
And I've got no excuse'

This section, although nearly identical to the first, has one different but major line change. 'She's pulling me through,' This section as is later in the song would also be later in our characters journey. He's found a saviour in a girlfriend, who does all she can to help him, and though it's hard to shrug his addiction, he feels there will be an end, and now he has such a perfect companion, he truly has no reason to be doing this anymore, and with the happier he gets, salvation can be reached. 

'Is that alright with you?
No.....'

This last section shows that though the lyric 'is that alright with you?' has been said often throughout the song, it has never required an answer, much like if his self harming only displays him as a victim. Why does he need anyone else's opinion or control over it? But with the last 'no' at the end, its like in his saviour he's finally found an opinion that he cares for and that he wishes to be better for this person. By her saying no, it essentially reflects the beginning of the end of this dark chapter of his life.