Vindicated: A Musical Analysis
"Dashboard Confessional - Vindicated" (dshbrdfn8 [content creator], Youtube, 2:58/3:22)
To be honest, until I looked into the creation of Vindicated, I didn't realize/remember that this was written for Spider-Man 2 with Chris Carrabba telling MTV, "...Do I get to see the movie early?... I'll absolutely do it." (MTV, 2004). For me the full song with a band of instruments accompanying the vocals (although still great) doesn't resonate with me. It was actually the solo that Chris Carrabba did for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2004 of Vindicated that has earned a place in my heart, and I often find myself going back to it just for inspiration. His performance that night soaring to a height that is visible, nearly tangible, and chilling every time I watch it.
The Instrument
The only instrument that is accompanying Chris Carrabba's voice in this variation of the song is the acoustic guitar that he is playing. Quiet skillfully Chris Carrabba is able to maintain his beat, tempo and vary his rhythm, to include silence, providing plenty of character for this piece. Although the melody is not to complex, he accents his chords during his chorus and verses by playing the strings harder or softer. Allowing the acoustic guitar to provide a great deal of feeling and highlights to his vocals.
Dynamics:
One of the greatest defining features of this song is the dynamics Chris Carrabba implemented in his vocals. Building a duality of soft verses and heavy choruses. This really allows Chris Carrabba to guide your emotions and focus on the lyrics. My favorite part of this use of dynamics is how Chris Carrabba continues this form, each time trying to raise his dynamics higher till he is quite literally raising out of his seat. Giving his final chorus a character that defines a masterpiece.
Timbre:
Chris Carrabba dynamic vocal transitions from his verses and chorus gave his song great variation. For his verses he sang in a very soft and muted voice, giving them an almost thoughtful and contemplative feeling. Then during the chorus the raise in his dynamics would give his voice a more strained and gravely characteristic, almost as if to be in a heated argument. This, with the lyrics, paints a picture that is almost impossible not to be drawn into and moved by.
Lyrics:
Much of the lyrics were lost to me in my early years, but as time ticked on the meaning of each line came to light. The lyrics of the first verse, "Hope dangles on a string - Like slow-sinning redemption - Winding in and Winding out..." (funny enough Chris Carrabba states that the line, "Hope dangles on a string" was not related to Spider Man 2 stating, "It wasn't about a spiderweb and Spider-man." [Thrillist, 2019]) I feel can resonate with everyone. As in the story of Pandora's Box hope, the final thing to leave the box, was greatest gift to the world and is what drives our existence towards a brighter future. The first two lines being repeated as a highlight at the end of the song. Chris Carrabba's next lines being, "... The shine of it has caught my eye - And roped me in, so mesmerizing, so hypnotizing - I am captivated..." speaking to the the drive everyone has towards their dreams and the positive outcome at the end of the struggle.
I feel the most impactful lyrics of the song (even being sung with greater emphasis) was within the chorus, these lines being, "Vindicated - I am selfish, I am wrong - I am right, I swear I'm right - Swear I knew it all along - And I am flawed - But I am cleaning up so well - I am seeing in me now - The things you swore you saw yourself." This chorus plays a perfect representation of personal growth, and inner turmoil. With a back and forth between acceptance and denial, a process that is both painful and rewarding.
Personal Draw:
Although the lyrics are great, the real reason I always find myself coming back to this video is because of the soul that Chris Carrabba put into his singing. I really enjoy how he takes you on an emotional roller coaster with just an acoustic guitar and his voice. Building up till you can see the physical strain he is putting himself through. Connecting this song on a level that is unachievable with words alone, making this one of my favorite examples of how music can elevate and connect with a deeper part of being human.
References:
MTV News Interviews Chris Carrabba in 2004, Facebook video, uploaded by MTV News, July 14, 2019, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=679706075831717
Zuckerman, Esther. "Dashboard Confessional's Chris Carrabba on Writing 'Vindicated,' the Best Spider-Man Song Ever." Thrillist, 7/8/2019, https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/dashboard-confessional-vindicated-spider-man-2
Test
ReplyDeleteListening to this song brings back so many good memories of screaming it with my siblings. Great song!
ReplyDeleteI liked your analysis of this song. I agree that his high-contrast dynamics and use of timbre are powerful and really support the lyrics and message; those elements stood out to me the most when I listened to it, as well. I didn’t recognize it from Spider-Man 2, but immediately guessed that it was from the end credits, because it just has that “credits” feeling to me.
ReplyDeleteComparing them, I ended up liking the band version better, because I think the fuller sound of all the instruments together supports his vocal better — the grit and strain of it, if you know what I mean. The acoustic version almost sounds *too* raw and maybe a little thin, but obviously that’s a preference thing. His tone and level of rawness reminded me of “The Special Two” by Missy Higgins (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp3WOpo7Jus), which has just a touch more “polish” or fullness, if we can call it that; she’s mainly accompanied by just piano, and I think it works really well for the most part (she doesn’t get quite as intense, though).
I like the acoustic guitar accompaniment adding richness and character to the piece. I love the sound of the acoustic guitar and the mind state it leaves me in. I think Carrabba has a commanding control of dynamics which to me creates a nice contrast between soft verses and intense choruses.
ReplyDeleteThis song is very good. I like your analysis of it. The Lyrics are really deep and meaningful. The way his vocals are in this song it's like he feels every word. I had to watch the video with the band, and I like both, but I do like the solo with just the guitar better. The video with the band I found has some shorts of spiderman 2 in it as well.
ReplyDelete