The song "Just A Curio" by Anne Sofie Von Otter and Elvis Costello is a poetic and mysterious composition that tells a story through its evocative lyrics. The meaning of the song is open to interpretation, as it incorporates various metaphors and imagery. The opening lines describe a scene in cold sunlight, where the narrator observes frost on the glass and in the air. "Fond relations mouthing words of love and tragedy" suggests that people around them are expressing emotions of affection and sadness. The imagery of coldness and vapour rising from a moving stream creates a sense of isolation and detachment. The next lines describe a bed with fine linen and starch, where someone's long hair once flowed gracefully. This imagery may represent a memory or a lost love. The hanging lace and walnut cabinets add to the visual details, creating a sense of nostalgia. The line "Teeth ware chattering like schoolgirls clicking castanets" is a simile that suggests a feeling of nervousness or tension. The following lines introduce a mysterious element with the mention of ascending stairs and saying prayers. The candle represents a source of illumination in dark times. The line "Throw the window wide and open, keep this mark from me" implies a desire to keep something hidden or protected. The letter "T" and its dreaded companion "B" are likely symbolic but their specific meaning is left to the interpretation of the listener. The chorus expresses a sense of bewilderment about the return of something that was believed to be conquered and dismissed as a mere curiosity. The reference to heaven suggests that this phenomenon is something unexpected and perhaps beyond the realm of explanation. Overall, "Just A Curio" is a mysterious song that weaves together images and emotions, leaving the meaning open to personal interpretation. It explores themes of nostalgia, mystery, and the unknown.
