Smoke Rings

Laurie Anderson's 'Smoke Rings' is a surreal and whimsical exploration of desire, memory, and the absurdity of life. The song opens with a mock game show, where the host asks bizarre questions about what is 'more macho'—a pineapple or a knife, a lightbulb or a school bus. This playful and nonsensical dialogue sets the tone for the rest of the song, highlighting the arbitrary nature of societal norms and expectations.

As the song progresses, Anderson delves into a dreamlike narrative, recounting a visit to a town where all the girls are named Betty and sing a repetitive, almost hypnotic tune. This section of the song evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, as Anderson reflects on the nature of desire. She describes desire as something that is both cold and hot, red and blue, and compares it to an iceberg—solid and imposing, yet capable of melting away. This metaphor underscores the fleeting and unpredictable nature of desire, as well as its power to evoke strong emotions.

The imagery of smoke rings, particularly those blown by Frank Sinatra, serves as a poignant symbol of transience and the ephemeral nature of life. Smoke rings are delicate and short-lived, much like the moments of desire and memory that Anderson describes. The song's refrain, 'Ah desire! Ah desire! Ah desire!' emphasizes the intensity and randomness of these feelings. By juxtaposing the mundane with the surreal, Anderson creates a rich tapestry of imagery that invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences of longing and nostalgia. The song's closing lines, which describe a journey back to the place where 'sweet love first began,' further reinforce the theme of returning to one's roots and the enduring power of memory.