Josh Ritter is an American singer-songwriter known for his folk and Americana style of music. One of his most popular songs is "The Curse," released in 2010 on his album "So Runs the World Away." "The Curse" tells the story of an archaeologist who discovers an ancient Egyptian mummy. He falls in love with the mummy and becomes enchanted by her beauty. However, there is a curse placed upon the mummy that prevents her from ever leaving her tomb. The song begins with Ritter's soothing voice singing the first verse, setting the scene of the archaeologist's discovery and subsequent fascination with the mummy.
I was surprised that these shops were so popular in Japan, but I guess that’s my own ignorance showing through. After thinking about it and learning more about the faiths that are present in Japan, there’s no reason why shops selling crystals, incense, and other magical things wouldn’t be popular. There’s also a huge number of palm readers around, and I really want to go to one once my Japanese is up to scratch.
If you head to Tokyo however, there aren t as many big shops, but the crystals you can find are a little cheaper, especially if you can find the crystal shop at the end of Takeshita Street in Harajuku. The business is heavily involved with the local metaphysical community and regularly hosts events on its patio space, so it s also a great spot to hang out when you re not in the mood to shop.
The song begins with Ritter's soothing voice singing the first verse, setting the scene of the archaeologist's discovery and subsequent fascination with the mummy. The lyrics are filled with beautiful imagery, describing the mummy's serene face and the mesmerizing effect she has on the archaeologist. As the song progresses, Ritter's lyrics convey the archaeologist's struggle to accept the reality of the curse.
Witchy Shopping in Japan
It’s day 4 of my 28 day challenge and today I’m supposed to go to a witchy store. I would be super up for this, but I have to go to work. However, last weekend I was out with my friends wandering around Yokohama’s impressive Chinatown, and I dragged a couple of them into my favourite shop there. This place is 4 floors of incense, jewellry, clothing, homeware, and a surprising number of bongo drums. My husband is not a fan, so he waited outside with a couple other friends while the rest of us explored.
My calendar made from handmade nepalese paper from YokohamaI was surprised that these shops were so popular in Japan, but I guess that’s my own ignorance showing through. After thinking about it and learning more about the faiths that are present in Japan, there’s no reason why shops selling crystals, incense, and other magical things wouldn’t be popular. There’s also a huge number of palm readers around, and I really want to go to one once my Japanese is up to scratch.
I have to admit, when I first started to become interested in witchcraft, I was really hesitant to go into any crystal or witchy looking shops. There were a couple of them close to where I used to live in London, but I never got a very welcoming feeling from them. In Japan however, every shop you go into you are greeted. It’s just customary in most places, but in a lot of the stores that I’ve been to, they’re quite friendly to you.
My haul from the Harajuku crystal shopWhen it comes to magical shopping in Japan, your best bet is to shop around. Different shops will have different specialties. For example, in Yokohama there are several big shops, but the crystals are quite pricey. If you head to Tokyo however, there aren’t as many big shops, but the crystals you can find are a little cheaper, especially if you can find the crystal shop at the end of Takeshita Street in Harajuku. One thing I’ve yet to find though is a good candle shop that won’t cost an arm and a leg. Coming from an area where you could get giant candles that smelled amazing for around £5, it’s quite frustrating to have to make do with tea lights that barely smell of anything. If I can’t find any soon I might have to make my own.
I have to admit, when I first started to become interested in witchcraft, I was really hesitant to go into any crystal or witchy looking shops. There were a couple of them close to where I used to live in London, but I never got a very welcoming feeling from them. In Japan however, every shop you go into you are greeted. It’s just customary in most places, but in a lot of the stores that I’ve been to, they’re quite friendly to you.
He becomes consumed by his desire to be with the mummy, even though he knows it is impossible. The chorus repeats the haunting line, "I wish that I could break the curse," expressing the archaeologist's deep longing and desperation. Ritter's storytelling ability shines through in the song, as he paints a vivid picture of the archaeologist's emotions and inner turmoil. The imagery he uses, such as "golden vein slowly spider-webbing across her temple and her cheek," adds depth to the narrative and enhances the listener's experience. "The Curse" is a melancholic and captivating song that showcases Ritter's talents as a songwriter. Through his heartfelt lyrics and emotive vocals, he creates an atmosphere of longing and desire that resonates with listeners. Overall, "The Curse" is a beautifully crafted song that showcases Josh Ritter's unique storytelling ability and his ability to touch the emotions of his audience. It is a poignant tale of love and its limitations, expressed through Ritter's soulful voice and poetic lyrics..
Reviews for "The Lyrics and Poetry in Josh Ritter's "The Curse"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to hear Josh Ritter's new album, but "The Curwe" just didn't live up to my expectations. The songs lacked the catchy melodies and memorable lyrics that I loved in his previous work. It all felt a bit repetitive and uninspired. I kept waiting for a standout track, something that would grab my attention, but it never came. Overall, I found "The Curwe" to be a disappointing and forgettable album.
2. Mark - 1 star - I'm sorry, but I really didn't like "The Curwe" by Josh Ritter. The production quality was poor, and it made it hard to fully appreciate the songs. The mixing was off, and the vocals sounded muddy and unclear. Additionally, the album lacked any memorable hooks or strong melodies. It all blended together into a forgettable, unremarkable mess. I had high hopes for this album, but it fell flat for me.
3. Jennifer - 2 stars - "The Curwe" by Josh Ritter was a letdown for me. The lyrics seemed forced and pretentious, trying too hard to be profound. The songs lacked the emotional depth and sincerity that I've come to expect from Ritter's music. It felt like he was experimenting with different styles and sounds, but none of them really worked. Overall, the album felt disjointed and confused. I'll stick to his earlier work, which I much prefer.
4. David - 2 stars - I found "The Curwe" by Josh Ritter to be a bit underwhelming. The melodies lacked the catchiness and charm that I loved in his previous albums. The arrangements felt cluttered, with too many unnecessary instrumentations competing for attention. The overall sound was overwhelming and distracting, taking away from the songs themselves. I wanted to enjoy this album more, but unfortunately, it just didn't resonate with me.