Luna has written an excellent paper on "As the World Falls
Down," the David Bowie song from the ball scene of the movie Labyrinth.
While I agree wholeheartedly with her on almost every point (and it is quite
a rarity for me to agree that much with anyone), I must admit that there are
still depths to be plundered in an analysis of the song and its significance
in the movie as a whole.
I have nothing to add to her analysis of lines one through eight (i.e.
"There's such a sad love� new dreams."). She is correct in saying that
Jareth is here describing Sarah's innermost feelings to her. My examination
begins with line nine.
9 A love that will last within your heart
10 I'll place the moon within your heart
Jareth has said he'll "place the sky in your eyes," and now he says "I'll
place the moon in your heart." Luna is correct in noting the sky
as a metaphor for limitless possibility and the fact that Jareth says he'll
put this within Sarah's eyes as denoting how he'll be showing her these
possibilities. In line 10, we see a more concrete example of the kind of
possibility Jareth has in mind.
The moon is a symbol of mature womanhood. Its link to the menstrual
cycle and matriarchy make this apparent. That Jareth will place this within
Sarah's heart means that he'll give Sarah maturity through his love.
One might interpret this as a sexual metaphor, that only through taking
Sarah's virginity can Jareth bring about her maturity. While I agree that
there is a sexual edge to the song, and a subtle fear of what womanhood
would involve, I think this interpretation of line 10 would be over
simplistic. Sexual intercourse may be the harbinger of physical maturity,
but it need have nothing to do with the kind of maturity Jareth is most
interested in: emotional maturity.
11 As the pain sweeps through
12 Makes no sense for you
13 Every thrill has gone
14 Wasn't too much fun at all
15 But I'll be there for you
16 As the world falls down
Luna sees these lines as Jareth describing his own feelings, and
while that is a valid interpretation, I prefer to think that he's still
speaking to Sarah about herself and what he has to offer.
I think these lines outline what maturity will be like for Sarah. It
might not make sense for Sarah to rush into womanhood. Pain will be involved
and the loss of childish thrills. Notice the use of the word "fun" as well.
It is in lines 15 & 16, though, that the crux of Jareth's argument, the
crux of his plea, becomes apparent. Even though maturity will bring all
these unpleasant things, Jareth promises to be there for Sarah as her world
of childish games falls away.
I think Luna examines lines 17 � 21 expertly, and I have
nothing to add. Jareth is wooing her even further.
There is now a repeat of lines 11 � 16, enforcing their importance.
Jareth isn't just asking for her love. He's asking for her transformation
into a mature woman. A child needs games. A child needs Jareth to be a
villain, something to struggle against to reach maturity. Here Jareth asks
for an end to the game, for an end to winners and losers � a thing which can
only be accomplished by a union in which the competing parties become one.
There is also a further meaning to the line "as the world falls down,"
I think.
Like I said, in one sense "the world" is Sarah's girlhood, but in
another sense it is even more literal. Jareth is also saying that no matter
what happens with the real world, you and I, Sarah, will create our own
reality. As the world, itself, falls down into oblivion, all that will be
left to us is our love.
This is the more frightening image for me. Falling imagery is almost
always tied in with Satan and his fall from heaven. In this case, the
question arises � would it be a good thing to live in a world of fantasy,
even if that world has the pink hued skies of ever lasting love?
I think this is the deeper question. Jareth's love is of an all
encompassing sort. Mustn't there be room for a bit of reality?
I have no answer to these questions, but I do find them in the song and I
must say they are intriguing.
Also at the very end, Jareth says, "makes no sense at all/makes no
sense to fall." Here he admits two things � (1) it makes no sense to rush
into adulthood, (2) it makes no sense to fall in love. This last is just a
reiteration of the more profound question. Mix love and rationality together
and what do you get?
So there you have it � "As the world Falls Down," reexamined.
There are many more things which could be elaborated on, especially in the
ball scene. For example, isn't it significant that Jareth and Sarah end up
the only ones at the ball not wearing any masks? Jareth is here no longer
the villain goblin king, but the lover underneath, as Sarah is no longer the
little girl, but the burgeoning woman.
In any case, we shall leave these topics for another time. As for now,
let's let the world fall down in peace.
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