"Its either Iago as in the Shakespeare character, or the parrot from Aladdin; it depends on how highbrow you are" - I shall never forget frontman, Fraser, using this expression to talk about the name of his band during a solo gig.
In much the same way as interpretations of the band name can differ based on cultural competency, the same goes for deeper meanings to 'Throw Me A Line'.
I have known Fraser for a number of years now, and remember the first time I heard a glimpse of the song around the time of lockdown, when it was just lyrics and guitar. Even then, it was a beautiful piece of lyricism with so many deeper meanings to be interpreted (I fondly remember many a conversation with him debating such) which is testament to his natural songwriting abilities. The many potential meanings - even behind the title - presents windows of different outlooks that can be opened and closed depending on emotions.
That, I think, is the essence of beauty within the track: its versatile ability to suit every mood and every occasion, highs and lows and everything in between, just by the way the listener interprets the lyrics.
Now, released with his band Hotel Iago, the track has seen developments in depth and complexity, not to mention the band of talented musicians who have added their own spin on the track, which further aids in creating the perfect environment for the lyrics to be interpreted in a multitude of ways.
Hearing the comparison between both versions, it really struck me just how much a band of musicians can uplift and change the entire dynamic of the track. It should not be underestimated the power that these musicians have had on elevating the original lyricism to new heights through their own talents.
The tone of a guitar or the beat of a drum can be the difference between an emotion being evoked when listening to a song. Hotel Iago, however, have managed something here that I have never heard done to this extent before, and that is the ability to tailor the song to all emotions so effortlessly with true balance.
Aladdin or Othello? It doesn't matter. This is for everyone.
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