Rock in This Pocket

The song is subtitled "Song of David," which re-enforces the clear reference in the lyrics to the story of David and Goliath. But it also implies the song is a psalm, as many of the original Psalms are titles "Mizmor L'David," or "A Song of David." Many of the Psalms are about strife and a desire to vanquish one's enemies.

Vega begins her radically different sonic approach with a new production staff-- notably Los Lobos' guitarist David Hidalgo and the production team of Tchad Blake and (her later husband, and still later ex-husband) Mitchell Froom. The freewheeling nature of the album is alluded to by the liner notes and photos, designed to look like an old-fashioned traveling circus and its playbill.

The album starts with this song's clanging, swooping introductory sound, and the sarcastic "ahem" of its opening line: "Excuse me, if I may/ Turn your attention my way." This is both David, cockily threatening the giant Goliath... and Vega, re-announcing her presence on the cultural stage.

"I won't plead," she says, for the listener's attention. But she also insists that she have it: "It's what I need... If it's the last thing I do/ I'll make you see."

The David vs. Goliath story, of course, is the ultimate underdog narrative, the small defeating the much larger. Even the weapon itself-- a rock-- is small.

But before even discussing that, the speaker admits that the attention she seeks "isn't much" itself. However, the importance of the attention is larger than its size: "What's so small to you/ Is so large to me." Whatever it is that she has to say (probably everything that follows on the album) is important for her to say... and so you will listen, even if you don't think you care.

Yes, it's true that her opponent can cast a huge shadow-- "You darken my sun"-- but he should know that she must not be underestimated: "The rock in this pocket/ Could cause your fall."

The speaker's willingness to attack is so great, she is even willing to endanger her own life to do it: "I might be out like a light, extinguished in the throw."

But she feels it is worth it, because she will "hit [her] mark," since she is "well acquainted" with her target, "the span of [Goliath's] brow."

And in hitting her mark, she will make her mark in history. Her Goliath will "know." Yes, "If you didn't know me then, you'll know me now."

This seems to be Vega speaking. Her voice has been criticized as thin and wispy, "small," if you will. Her sound to date has been acoustic, ethereal, and sparse, also "small," compared to the sound of a blaring rock band or a dense dance track.

But she dismisses those concerns. Inspired by the DJs who have been reworking her "Tom's Diner" vocals, she creates a new, industrialized, citified sound for her fourth album. Even if her voice is still thin, her music demands to be noticed.

Mostly, I think, it is another "secret weapon" she is unleashing: Her ideas. The "rock in this pocket" could be an oblique reference to rock 'n' roll ("You see me as a folksy singer-songwriter, but guess what, I'm a rock star"). But more likely it is simply an unseen entity-- a thought-- that demands attention, smashes the competition, and slays the critics.

This is Vega's version of trash talk. In a way (an intellectual, literate way), it is as blustery as any rap boast. The remainder of her career, and the sphere of her influence, have borne out her boast. She'll "make you see" her, indeed.

Next Song: Blood Makes Noise