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I'm so normal about Chalk Tablet Towers by Gorillaz. I'm so completely normal about how if you switch the perspective, you can turn it into a story about the original narrator's loved one trying to reassure them in rehab to not give in to self destructive tendencies.
Or if you want it to be even more depressing, the loved one reminiscing on what they should have said to prevent the narrator from dying.
I love the original lyrics and how well the isolation of the song is written. At the same time, I think there's something so painfully beautiful about the idea of the narrator feeling shame and like they have to isolate themself for being in rehab. Then, the loved ones' perspective works as a response to this.
No, the narrator doesn't actually want to hurt themself. They want to come home. If they leave, they aren't just hurting themself. No, the narrator does not need to worry about everyone abandoning them. The loved one still cares for them regardless of their mental state, and they say this in a way where the loved one feels it should be obvious how much they care.
So many times in media and writing, characters struggling are often depicted as all alone and only able to help themselves. While it is true that it is ultimately up to the person struggling to make the choice to save themself, I think the reminder that there are still people there to support them is important. It gives some hope.
I love call and response songs (To Binge and Souk Eye or the English and Spanish versions of Latin Simone for example), and I love the idea that even if two characters aren't communicating face to face, they're still trying to speak to one another, which is what I feel when switching the perspective on Chalk Tablet Towers.
I'll attach the og lyrics with my own response lyrics below here. There really isn't much change, but I feel like the differences in how the narrators feel is important.
My own:
Chalk tablet towers like drawing shadows
Chemical distraction, you are not with me
You departed in the spring to a distant star
But you could not get back, you had gone too far (oh-oh-oh-oh)
You wanna get drunk?
You wanna get stoned?
You wanna give up?
You wanna come ho-o-o-ome.
Watching rockets take off
From the parting sea
How will I ever touch you
If you are not with me? (oh-oh-oh-oh, out here)
There's only silence (out there)
No form of contact (out here)
You am dreaming
Looking into the darkness (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Home (Home)
Home (Home)
Home (Homе)
Home (Home)
Home (Homе)
Home (Home)
Home (Home)
Home (Home)
You say you won't be back 'til the end of summer
Y'know I'll still be here.
I won't give up on you, darling
You know that I care
I don't need no trophies
No cell with a view
There's nothing I wouldn't give
One minute with you, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
You, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
You, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Original:
Chalk tablet towers like drawing shadows
Chemical distraction, you are not with me
I departed in the spring to a distant star
But I could not get back, I had gone too far (oh-oh-oh-oh)
I wanna get drunk
I wanna get stoned
I wanna give up
I wanna go ho-o-o-ome
Watching rockets take off
From the parting sea
How will I ever touch you
If you are not with me? (oh-oh-oh-oh, out here)
There's only silence (out here)
No form of contact (out here)
I am dreaming
Looking into the darkness (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Home (Home)
Home (Home)
Home (Homе)
Home (Home)
Home (Homе)
Home (Home)
Home (Home)
Home (Home)
I won't be back 'til the end of summer
Will you still be there?
I won't give up on you, darling
Just tell me that you care
I don't need no trophies
No cell with a view
There's nothing I wouldn't give
One minute with you, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
You, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
You, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh.
Alright, thanks for coming to my not so eloquently written Ted talk.