Epilepsy Is Dancing

Antony and the Johnsons' song "Epilepsy Is Dancing" is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of the experience of living with epilepsy, using vivid and surreal imagery to convey the emotional and physical turmoil associated with the condition. The song opens with the metaphor of epilepsy as a dance, suggesting a chaotic yet rhythmic experience. The reference to Christ departing hints at a sense of loss or transformation, as the narrator finds their own rhythm amidst the disorder, symbolized by twisting in the snow.

The lyrics delve deeper into the physical sensations of epilepsy, describing the burning metal and the search for a waterway home, which could symbolize a quest for peace or relief. The cry of "Glitter is Love!" introduces a moment of beauty and transcendence, with eyes adorned with green jewels likened to Christmas stars, suggesting a fleeting yet profound connection to something greater. This imagery contrasts sharply with the subsequent lines, where the narrator's physical distress becomes more pronounced, culminating in a plea for comfort during a seizure.

The song also touches on themes of haunting and fragmentation, as seen in the lines about seeing a ghost and being cut into quadrants. These images evoke a sense of being haunted by one's own condition and feeling fragmented or disconnected from oneself. The final lines, "Ooh now it's passing / Ooh now I'm dancing," suggest a moment of relief and a return to the metaphor of dancing, indicating a cyclical nature to the experience of epilepsy. Through its poetic and evocative lyrics, "Epilepsy Is Dancing" offers a deeply personal and moving portrayal of living with a chronic condition, blending pain with moments of beauty and transcendence.