Every time I'm reminded of Scissor Sisters, my heart fills with joy and optimism. Their glamorous style (both musically and visually) is so undeniably inspiriting. When I was first able to explore the seemingly infinite world of music upon entering university, I immediately fell for their then-recent singles "Any Which Way," "Invisible Light," and later "Only The Horses." However, it was their earlier cover of the 1979 Pink Floyd classic "Comfortably Numb" that had me in pieces. Hearing it again in DJ Touche's 2004 Essential Mix yesterday, I figured it was time to return the spotlight to this sublime, energetic and disco-inspired affair.
Staying close to the original both in the lyrics and structure, albeit less on the latter, Scissor Sisters flip "Comfortably Numb" into a fabulous fever dream. Where the story of the original Floyd offering sees its protagonist Pink taking tranquilizers to make it through his show, the injection in the Scissor Sisters version is anything but a downer. Hallucinatory either way, the Grammy-nominated 2004 version sees Jake Sheers and the accompanying vocals take on the role of ostensible sprites singing a psychedelic siren song from the unexplored recesses of the mind. This fallacious fairy-godmother-like guidance takes the place of both Waters' and Gilmour's vocals, leading the newly lush, bouncy and euphoric electronic odyssey to new heights. And while I keep on about the Scissor Sisters take being the high, with the Pink Floyd being the low; the brilliance of both is that they are not exclusively one or the other. "Comfortably Numb" finds its timelessness in part thanks to that duality. It is empowering in its painkilling, sedative strength yet frightening thanks to those very same qualities. Like any high, it must be enjoyed sparingly and safely with respect paid to its power and addictive nature. That said, we could all use a little extra strength these days, so go ahead and enjoy this power-pill now, below.
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