After forever, I decided to finally get around to writing the other really powerful of the Playlists, Weiss's. Now, Weiss is an interesting character for a ton of reasons, but one of them is the dichotomy of her upbringing and the expectations she lives with, and her naturally independent, defiant nature. This is shown in a lot of her music with bold lyrics and a hybrid style of lyrical, classical music with pop and rock, alongside sharp, powerful key changes and style alternations. I once heard someone describe Weiss's songs, especially the ones she sings as she becomes a stronger person, as "epic rock ballads", and nothing sounds better than that.
Path To Isolation-Vol 4 soundtrack, but takes place pre-Vol 1. This one is about Weiss's feelings immediately before her move to Beacon, and details the pain she bears from her family and her expectations. A very powerful song about isolation and self-imposed emotional callousness as a defense mechanism. Even better when you compair her 'bitchy' behavior in volume 1 to the moment in the song where she cried out "I'm fighting back surrender, but every day I'm falling more apart". It also, importantly, shows Weiss's inability to form her own personality in her home, so concerned with maintaining a facade that she doesn't know who she really is, and is so very conflicted between who she wants to be and who she thinks she 'aught' to be, as a Schnee, going so far to ask the proverbial mirror "Who am I?" at the songs moving conclusion.
Mirror, Mirror-Vol 1. This was the definative Weiss song back in the day, and was the basis of most of the early theories about her character. Emotional, but most of the underlying themes are hidden, as this song was written, theoretically, under her father's thumb. It's a beautiful and lyrical song, nice to listen to until you begin to hear the lyrics and the traumas they hide. This song, at least to me, is the personification of the gilded cage Weiss grew up in. Beautiful and simple, but hiding anguish beneath.
Mirror, Mirror, part 2-Vol 3. This is the beginning of Weiss's movement. Part 1 contained hints of something else, something other than the simple music, but largely was made to be heard, canonically, by an audience who didn't care. Part 2 is the beginning of Weiss's change. The lyrics and music are intensely personal, thoughtful and reflective of Weiss's life and her hope for a better future. It parallels a lot of part 1's lyrics.
It's My Turn-Vol 3. This is the beginning of Weiss's rebellion. This is the first song that doesn't try and hide its themes behind flowing music, openly showing Weiss's realization of her father's psychological abuse of her throughout her childhood, and openly pinning the blame on him for the first time. Though, this is crushed by the tragedy at Beacon, and for months these feelings regress as Weiss is forcefully returned home.
This Life is Mine-Vol 4. This is the definative Weiss song. The lyrical opening, asking if anyone who hears her songs are really listening to them, understanding their meanings, is contrasted by a sharp keychange and acelerando into a drum break. The lyrical tone changes too, becoming much more brash and frank. This is not to be misunderstood - cannot be misunderstood - this is a declaration. It plays wonderful contrast to Path To Isolation's line about surrender, turning it on its head and declaring in defiance of her father, of the world around her, and of her own shortcomings that "I will not surrender, this life is mine!" It's a profound moment, and one that sends chills down the spine to listen to and fills the listener with a strange sense of pride in Weiss's growth as a person, both at Beacon and in Atlas throught volume 4. For the first time, Weiss is angry, she is righteous and furious and will not be quiet about it. It is - she is - defiance personified. Personally, this is my favourite song on the soundtrack.
I typed this on my phone durring a Biochem class so please forgive any spelling or analytical errors. Point em out and I may fix em later. Hope you enjoy the Playlist @citadelofmythoughts
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