Hearts And Bones

Paul Simon's 'Hearts And Bones' is a poignant exploration of love, identity, and the complexities of human relationships. The song opens with the imagery of 'one and one-half wandering Jews,' a metaphor that likely references Simon himself and his then-wife, Carrie Fisher. The couple is depicted traveling through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico, a setting that evokes both the beauty and the isolation of their journey. This journey is not just physical but also emotional, representing the arc of their love affair, filled with highs and lows, much like the mountain passes they traverse.

The lyrics delve into the past, reflecting on a time when the couple was married. The marriage is described with vivid imagery: 'The bride was contagious / She burned like a bride,' suggesting a passionate but perhaps tumultuous union. The phrase 'love like lightning shaking till it moans' further emphasizes the intensity and volatility of their relationship. The recurring refrain 'Hearts and bones' serves as a metaphor for the fundamental, yet fragile, nature of their connection. It underscores the idea that love is both a deeply emotional and a profoundly physical experience, intertwining their very essence.

As the song progresses, it touches on themes of acceptance and the struggle for identity within a relationship. The lines 'Why won't you love me / For who I am / Where I am' highlight a plea for unconditional love and acceptance. However, the response 'that's not the way the world is baby' reflects a more pragmatic, perhaps cynical, view of love. The song concludes with the couple returning to their 'natural coasts,' suggesting a return to their individual selves after the shared journey. The final lines, 'You take two bodies and you twirl them into one / Their hearts and their bones / And they won't come undone,' encapsulate the enduring, albeit complicated, bond that remains between them, even as they navigate the challenges of love and identity.