„Know she breaks“

Das Sirenen-Motiv in Popsongs

Abstract

The ancient motif of the siren as an ominous seductress has survived into today's popular culture. In this article, four pop songs published between 1970 and 2003 will be examined comparatively, which approach this fascinating mythological figure in different ways: There there by Radiohead, Song to the Siren by Tim Buckley, Siren by Tori Amos, and Sirena by Calexico. The focus of the discussion will be on two points: First, what feelings are conveyed by music and lyrics (and in one case: video), how do excitement and pain balance each other out - is the overall impression dominated by joy or by condemning morality? Secondly, it is to be shown what conclusion results from this for the siren: Does she remain trapped in a perpetrator-victim dichotomy, or can she be exonerated from her supposed guilt as a figure who is equally happy and/or tragic herself?