Selective Memory

Erykah Badu “20 Feet Tall”

“20 Feet Tall” hovers in place, reflecting on the past with just enough distance for a bit of perspective, but close enough to the trouble for it to have a fresh sting. On a structural level, the song barely changes. Atmospheric sounds and Badu’s phrasing lend dynamics to the piece, but its airy keyboard groove is the emotional and musical core. Badu sounds self-possessed, but the keyboard part feels fragile and hesitant, as if she’s making her way through an epiphany on a second-to-second basis. It makes sense — it’s a song about realizing your strength after someone has up their defenses. You’re rattled at first, but then it slowly sinks in: “Oh, right. I’m bigger than this.”

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