Easy
An analysis of Easy aka one of my favorite songs of season 2! Other than liking the song and the animation, I really love its themes and what it does for Chaggi, Charlie and Vaggi especially.
THE DEVIL'S TANGO
Well, let's start with the obvious: "Easy" is a metaphor for Charlie and Vaggi having sex. Their intercourse is conveyed beautifully through both the music and the visuals.
Musically, the song starts with Vaggi singing, as she tries to get through to Charlie:
Vaggie: Shut up, you know that I love you But that's enough of this spiral Some of your dreams haven't come true Well, here's how we'll break the cycle Your hand, my hand Your body and mine They can withstand the firin' line 'Cause anyone who finds love in Hell Can do anything, baby You and me don't need no one else To make it through the crazy No blow comes close to fatal For this princess and fallen angel We already found love in Hell The rest is easy, baby
The princess is instead hesitant because she is still oppressed by her worries and fears:
Charlie: I appreciate all that (Vaggie: Wе'll get through it!) But we need our friends to comе back (Vaggie: We can do it!)
Visually, the song starts with Vaggi taking the initiative. She approaches Charlie, takes off both of their clothes and covers herself with a towel and Charlie with a sheet. She also starts dancing to seduce her lover.
What's interesting about this is that Vaggi is the one singing and dancing, which is an inversion of the couple's usual dynamic. I mean, we all remember season 1X1, right?
Vaggie: Okay, but just don't... sing to them. Angel Dust: That bitch is halfway down the street! Vaggie: Is she—? Angel Dust: Oh, she's dancin'! Vaggie: Ugh, no...
Well, now Vaggi is the one diving into the musical world, while Charlie is too caught up in her spiral to embrace her inner sound. She is so scared, she symbolically closes herself off by wrapping herself into a blanket:
Charlie: You're my pillar, my heart's fulfiller But there's no way this lining's silver Everyone's gone, we're facing a war We can't get in touch with anyone anymore, and—
As she sings of isolation, the background grows darker, as a mirror of Charlie's emotions. Our girl is deep down scared of loneliness, as she has endured lonely years due to her parents' absence. So, the moment everyone around her leaves (Sir Pentious, Alastor, Husk and Lucifer) she feels helpless. However, she misses there are still people around her, like Vaggi, who drags Charlie towards the light:
Vaggie: Shut up, you know that I love you But you're forgettin' who we are In a pit that doesn't let sun through Somehow we managed to see stars
Our fallen angel invites her princess to dance, which metaphorically starts their sexual activities. The visuals make it clear:
Vaggi mentions "seeing stars" (so light) and the background becomes more abstract and brighter before showing us the couple in beautiful tango dresses:
As everybody else, I too love the design choices here. The towel and sheet they use to cover themselves become wonderful clothes, like in a fairy tale (which Hazbin Hotel deep down is :P). The dancing beautifully implies what's happening:
Charlie and Vaggi's hip movements here clearly allude to something else, as they are no doubt doing the devil's tango :P
I also like to think the vocals and choreography show us how the two girls achieve sexual pleasure in different and yet complementary ways.
On the one hand Charlie's focus is singing, as she finally starts to sing Vaggi's song, when the two reach the climax:
Charlie and Vaggie: Your heart, my heart, when I am with you Two souls, one goal, we'll never lose (Charlie: Woah-oh) 'Cause anyone who finds love in Hell Can do anything, baby You and me don't need no one else To make it through the crazy No blow comes close to fatal For this princess and fallen angel We already found love in Hell Charlie: The rest is easy, baby Vaggie: Anyone who finds love in Hell Can do anything, baby (Charlie: Easy) You and me don't need no one else To make it through the crazy Charlie and Vaggie: No blow comes close to fatal For this princess and fallen angel We already found love in Hell The rest is easy, baby
Charlie repeats Vaggi's tune and sings by herself that "the rest is easy, baby" to show Vaggi's message has been understood. I especially like her prolonged "easy", as Vaggi repeats half of the refrain on her own. It gives me the feeling Charlie is finally relaxing, both physically (feeling pleasure) and psychologically (getting over her spiral).
On the other hand Vaggi's focus is dancing, as she moves around a lot and does many acrobatics:
Vaggi keeps on falling in Charlie's arms, whenever she mentions she is a "fallen angel". This ties with the double meaning of "fallen from grace and fallen in love", which is at the root of Vaggi's character. In the context of the song, Vaggi has Charlie catch her whenever she "falls" during their metaphorical dance. This shows Vaggi's trust in her partner, their coordination and harmony. Our fallen angel, who is usually so guarded, feels free to be vulnerable with her princess.
So, Charlie's love language is singing, while Vaggi's is dancing, which fits their respective motifs. Charlie is a singer and Vaggi is a dancer. Together they make a work of art, when it comes to this song, their relationship and their impact on the world.
CHARLIE: REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE
For Charlie Easy is what stops her spiral. Season 2 explores our girl's flaws and insecurities. Specifically, she has a very frail sense of self and wishes she could be more like Lilith:
Charlie: Mom would know what to do. She was always so good at this. Staying calm, being the voice of the people. Being the center of attention with everyone looking to her, to follow her.
Vox exploits this insecurity and progressively steals Charlie's voice and silences her ideas. He even presents himself as the REAL successor of Lilith:
Vox: Just over seven years ago, Lilith had a dream. With her song, she rallied the sinners of Hell to attack Heaven in an effort to liberate us. But before she could wage her war, she disappeared. I merely wish to finish what she started.
All of this highly upsets Charlie, who keeps engaging in the hope she can defeat Vox at his own game. Except she can't because Vox is too good at playing. So, Charlie ends up making things worse instead and she hurts her loved ones, like Angel, Lucifer and Vaggi. In short, Charlie gets caught up in the Vees' spell and becomes obsessed with how people superficially perceive her. Luckily, Vaggi is there to call her out:
Vaggie: It's okay. I know it's been hard on you. I just also know it was only making things worse to engage with it. And it's hard sometimes to feel like you aren't hearing me. But I just want you to know it's okay. I still love you.
Vaggi conveys the main theme about identity to Charlie
Vaggi points out Charlie's flaw of not listening to others
1- The main theme is that you should never lose sight of who you are:
Vaggie: Shut up, you know that I love you But you're forgettin' who we are
It is not for others to decide who a person is, but for the person herself. As long as you know who you are and are true to it, things are gonna work out.
2- Charlie's flaw of not listening is something she has had since season 1. I mean, Happy Day In Hell has Charlie sing over Vaggi's warnings and ignore them. In season 2 this bad tendency of hers takes over and becomes an even bigger problem. Still, Vaggi manages to shut Charlie up:
Vaggie: Shut up, you know that I love you But that's enough of this spiral
It is thanks to Vaggi's honesty and support that Charlie finally stops and finds herself again. This eventually leads to her victory, as she succeeds because of who she is and not of who she appears to be. This difference is highlighted in Charlie and Vox's final public confrontation, which Charlie loses:
Vox: Look at you, leading your friends into disaster yet again. You are really bad at this. You are a pale imitation of your mother, and she would be disgusted at the weak, pitiful failure you've become. Say it, Charlie. Look into the camera, and tell everyone out there that you lost! And I'm the most powerful sinner in Hell! Not Lilith, not Alastor, not the Vees. ME! Charlie: Never! Alastor: Oh, the drama! You know what? Maybe you should say it, Charlie. Stroke my friend's ego, he needs it. Charlie: What? Alastor, why...? Alastor: Ah-ah-ah! Come on, Charlie. Do me this one... simple... favor. Charlie: No, don't make me. Alastor: Go on, tell everyone he's the strongest. Charlie: Vox is the strongest sinner in Hell. Vox: OH, YEAH! LOOK, PRINCESS! HELL'S FINALLY LISTENING TO YOU!
There is no catharsis here. Vox tells Charlie point blank she is nothing like Lilith and then Alastor forces Charlie to admit her defeat in front of all of Hell. So, when it comes to the ability to control medias and to get through people with voices... Charlie completely loses and Vox wins. But so what? Charlie being forced to lie on TV doesn't change the truth of who she is. In the end, it is the moment Charlie finally stops playing Vox's game that things turn around.
Charlie makes no speech, no big inspiring song like Vox Populi. She simply stays true to her beliefs and when the sinners need her, she is there to help:
Charlie: No, stop! Emily: Those sinners need help! We need to do something! [Charlie and Emily begin lifting the rubble to protect the entrapped sinners.] Emily: I'll save you! [flies and grabs Sinner] No, come here! Charlie: [lifts rock] Here, take my hand! Emily: Come with me!
She could never beat Vox at his game, which is why she should have never started playing it. It is only after she unequivocally loses it that she is free to do what she does best, which is to strive to reach her ideals. In the end, Charlie isn't a fraud, as she genuinely believes a better future is possible for everyone:
Charlie: When I think about the future I see a better place Where everyone can coexist safely
Vox is instead a fraud because all he wants is to grow more powerful to nurture his frail ego:
Vox: Soon I'll be up there The one and only true God No more playin' house, once they're devout, I won't need a squad Climb the stairway up to Heaven, live on every TV Always knew the guy they're prayin' to was gonna be me
It is precisely because of this that Vox is so unnerved by Charlie:
Vox: Do you think I could be redeemed? Charlie: I believe anyone can be redeemed. Vox: Right, then. I can almost see why Alastor humors you. Ha ha ha ha!
He expects her to be like him and spout big words she does not truly believe in. However, he is wrong about her. By the end, Charlie finds her voice again and goes through to the sinners not thanks to speeches or performances, but to her actions:
Carmilla Carmine: You would risk your life Zestial: For souls that Heaven sought to kill... Carmilla and Zestial: We cannot just stand by It's time to match your strength of will!
The end result is Hear My Hope, a song, where there is no leading singer, but a chorus of many voices harmonizing. This is what Charlie's voice can do: inspire others to sing too.
VAGGI: LOVE IN HELL
For Vaggi Easy is what proves her growth. Our fallen angel doesn't progress much in season 2, but she shows her change since season 1. This is true both for the theme of identity and for her relationship with Charlie.
When it comes to the theme of identity, Vaggi is the only character who stays true to herself this season. Thanks to her struggle in season 1, she now knows she doesn't have to be defined by the past, but can strive to become a better version of herself:
Vaggie: Because Adam gave me that name, and it's demeaning. I feel like I got to give myself one, you know?
This is why she chooses to change the name Adam gave her. The resolution to this minor arc is that she completes a metamorphosis.
In season 1 Vaggi changes the way her name is pronounced:
Adam: You were on the front lines, I wouldn't forget a bad bitch like you. It's why I named you after the best thing ever. Vaggie.(/vædʒiː/)) Vaggie: Actually, it's pronounced Vaggie.(/vægiː/)
In season 2 Vaggi changes the way her name is written:
Charlie: Here. Are you sure about the name this time? Vaggie: Positive. [Charlie puts the pin on Vaggie's shirt; it says "Vaggi: Hotel Manager".]
By the end, her name has nothing to do with the original meaning of "vagina". Still, it is not a completely different name either. That is because hers isn't a change that comes from discarding who she is, but it is an evolution of her original self. There is no negation, but a transformation. This is how growth and redemption both work.
When it comes to her relationship with Charlie, Vaggi is much more self-assured and is able to communicate better with her girlfriend.
In season 1, Vaggi's flaw is her inability to speak and to share her vulnerability with Charlie. This is why she hides her identity as a past exorcist, which deeply hurts her partner.
In season 2, however, Vaggi has grown and is now able to express her feelings better. She is able to call Charlie out:
Vaggie: Charlie, that's what Vox does. I thought if your dad could at least get him to back down, you'd stop caring. Charlie: Well, why didn't you ask me? Vaggie: Because you aren't listening to me. You're hyper-fixating on what he's saying about you. Charlie: Because he's hurting the hotel, he is ruining— Vaggie: Charlie! You are hurting the hotel! I know it sucks what Vox is doing, but you're playing his game. Charlie: What? How can you even say that? Are you not on my side? Vaggie: I am, but being on your side means telling you the truth. I am worried about you.
And even if it takes some time, Vaggi's words eventually reach the Princess of Hell. In particular, Vaggi is able to enter a conflict with Charlie in a healthy way. She doesn't back down out of fear of hurting Charlie or of losing her. She knows Charlie is wrong this time and calls her out until Charlie finally sees reason. And throughout their fight Vaggi never truly gives up neither on Charlie nor their shared dream, as she keeps running the Hazbin Hotel.
In short, Vaggi this season continues her positive development and grows into herself. Here are two examples that illustrate Vaggi's overall growth.
Example 1- In season 1, Vaggi gets nervous the moment Charlie forces her to take the lead during the "trust exercises":
Vaggie: Right, well, let's get started. Charlie? Charlie: Actually, I thought maybe you could take the lead on this one. I trust everyone, so maybe you know better on how to build it properly! Vaggie: What? Uhh, I don't know if I'm qualified, uh... Charlie: Oh, come on. It'll be easy! I'm sure you can handle this.
In season 2 instead, Vaggi has no problem running alone the whole Hazbin Hotel:
Lucifer: Huh, I thought that was, uh, I thought that was Charlie's girlfriend's job, because she, my friend, is on it with running this whole hotel... thing.
Husk: I told you, princess, I'm done playing therapist. I ain't good at it. Maybe you should ask "Little Miss Can't Pick a Fucking Name". She's the one running the place.
Example 2- In season 1, Vaggi is the one who addresses the guests and staff's worries over the Extermination:
Vaggie: What's important now is that we're going to have a fight on our hands. Look, this hotel is about to become the most dangerous place in Hell, and we....I, can't guarantee your safety anymore. I still believe in Charlie's dream. I know this place can work. But none of you signed up for this. I'm gonna go learn how we can fight back, and when I come home... Well I'll understand if none of you are here.
And she takes the lead in the fight:
Vaggie: Now! FOR YOUR SOULS!
In season 2, Vaggi takes care of the guests, which becomes key in the final fight, as Baxter accepts to help because of this:
Charlie: Are you willing to risk your job and... life... to help us? Baxter: Yes. Vaggie: Wh-why? Baxter: Well, you made sure that my blankets were always folded at my required 45-degree angle to make it more tuckable to my liking. So I assumed that made us best friends. Isn't it obvious? Vaggie: Yeah. Totally.
Moreover, she is the one taking the lead both when they plan to face the war and to take down the Vees:
Vaggie: Charlie? Cherri Bomb: What do we do? Get ready to fight? Vaggie: No. We only fought them before because they came for us. This time, we hunker down and we wait this out.. Charlie: Uh, I-I cannot remember how to breathe. Husk: Is she gonna be alright? Vaggie: She'll be fine. Let's get this place secured. Go on. Come on, baby. Let's get inside.
Vaggie: Alright everyone, here's the plan: Charlie and I will go to Vox's party as guests. Baxter, Niffty, Husk and Cherri, you'll sneak into VoxTek while everyone's distracted using Baxter's keycard. Once inside, Cherri and Husk, you two split off and find Angel. And if that doesn't work, just knock his ass out and drag him back. We can figure out the rest once he's safe. Baxter and Niffty, find the sources of Vox's signal and hijack it. Be careful though, because once Vox is onto you, he'll respond quickly. Niffty, you're on security duty.This is our only chance. Guard Baxter with your life. Once Baxter's ready, Pentious will take over the broadcast, showing all of Hell that redemption is possible. Emily, that's when you make your entrance, and with Charlie by your side, in a show of unity between two realms, everyone will see that fighting isn't the answer... this time. Cherri Bomb: What about the giant gun? Vaggie: I'm glad you asked. While everyone's focused on Charlie and Emily, I'm going to try to destroy the weapon.
All of this development culminates in Vaggi becoming the Hotel Manager instead of Charlie:
At the same time, Vaggi's journey is beautifully commented by the evolution of her musical motifs. As a matter of fact she is one of the main characters, but she doesn't have many songs of her own. This isn't by chance as initially Vaggi struggles to express herself, which is mirrored by her lacking big musical numbers.
In season 1, she shares Whatever It Takes With Carmilla and reprises More Than Anything with Charlie. I would say neither song is truly "hers". What's more, both pieces have interesting implications.
Whatever It Takes is a song Vaggi is singing to Charlie, but Charlie is not there to listen because Vaggi sent the princess away. By this point in the story, the fallen angel is unable to convey her feelings, so she can only sing about them alone.
More Than Anything is a short reprise of Lucifer and Charlie's song, which cements Vaggi and Lucifer's foiling. It is very short, but it still shows progress on Vaggi's side. She is now able to properly sing her feelings to Charlie.
Finally, there is a third song in season 1 that sees Vaggi as a silent protagonist. Obviously, I am talking about Out For Love. Carmilla is the one singing it, but Vaggi follows its rhythm. Her dance ends with our fallen angel growing back her wings:
Easy is Vaggi's next step in her musical journey. First of all, it is an original love song (so not a reprise like More Than Anything) Vaggi sings directly to Charlie (differently from Whatever It Takes). Secondly, it is a thematic counterpart of Out For Love.
Both songs are about love being the strongest power in the universe.
Out For Love explains love is what leads to Heaven:
Carmilla: You're gonna fight without gloves And when that push comes to shove Yeah, you just might rise above Long as you're out for love
Easy explains love can give you the strength to face Hell:
Vaggi: 'Cause anyone who finds love in Hell Can do anything, baby You and me don't need no one else To make it through the crazy
So, Vaggi singing Easy shows she has learnt Carmilla's lesson. Not only that, but both songs share some latina inspiration to highlight Carmilla and Vaggi's connection. Finally, both musical numbers are rooted in dancing.
Out For Love is a dancing lesson, where Carmilla trains Vaggi to fight differently, so that she can survive the Extermination. Easy is instead a love scene between Charlie and Vaggi, which uses the metaphor of the tango to convey the couple's relationship.
Both songs give great importance to "dance" and make the choreography shine as much as the music. This isn't by chance, as Vaggi's character is linked to this performative art. She is the dancer to Charlie's singer. She is inspired by her lover's voice and moves accordingly:
Vaggi: Some of your dreams haven't come true Well, here's how we'll break the cycle Your hand, my hand Your body and mine They can withstand the firin' line
If Charlie is the dreamer, Vaggi is the one turning those dreams into reality.
CHAGGI: PRINCESS AND FALLEN ANGEL
Easy is a beautiful celebration of Chaggi and the two girls' complementarity. Charlie is worried about the macrocosm (Hell), but Vaggi reminds her of the importance of the microcosm (Charlie's own well being). Charlie reaches her climax through singing, while Vaggi does so through dancing. Moreover, the visuals highlight Charlie and Vaggi's matching designs:
Charlie is red (heart, soul, passion), while Vaggi is blue (mind, body, level-headness)
Charlie is gold and Vaggi is silver
This final detail is great because it ties into the symbolism of Charlie and Vaggi giving each other hope. On the one hand Charlie is Vaggi's golden light, as she is Vaggi's shining star, the one who inspires Vaggi and leads her towards a better future. On the other hand Vaggi is Charlie's lining silver, as she brings Charlie happiness in a lonely and dark world. And Easy puts this idea into words:
Charlie: You're my pillar, my heart's fulfiller But there's no way this lining's silver
In conclusion:
Charlie and Vaggie: No blow comes close to fatal For this princess and fallen angel We already found love in Hell The rest is easy, baby
