"... That Planet Earth turns slowly ..."

On a music message board where I regularly sear my eyeballs, numerous critical voices enjoy ripping the shit out of the Owl City tune that is known as "Fireflies". I think they resent the fact that it hit number one.

After more than a few listens, I'm inclined to agree with their negativity. Just not much going on in the verses. Well, that's not precisely true; lyrically, things are happening, but they are the sort of things that make me want to punch myself in the face.

This is the Earworm Level, though, and I do admit that the chorus has gotten itself stuck.

I'd like to make myself believe
That Planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

This kind of wide-eyed innocence - just barely on the good side of the Utter Idiocy line, but there nonetheless - is why this baby hit number one. It's reflected not only in the lyrics but also in the melody's sweep (which truly emerges during the chorus' second appearance, an emotional firework that Dashboard Confessional is probably crying over right now... that is, if those tear ducts haven't been worn dry). I think a part of all of us wants to forever linger on the edge of wakefulness and sleep - and, similarly, on the edge of our realities and our dreams. And as long as we keep wishing for those formers to cross over into those latters, songs like "Fireflies" will continue to hit number one.

Songs

Owl City - "Fireflies"