Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Matthews' poem "Old Records" delves into the themes of time, preservation, and the inevitable decay that accompanies both. The poem begins with a casual conversation, as the speaker recounts Les showing off his new Braun tape deck, a device symbolizing modernity and a desire to preserve. Les explains that after playing records a few times, he can hear them "grind down," prompting him to record them onto tape after a single listen. This act of preservation speaks to a broader human impulse to save fleeting moments from the ravages of time.

The imagery of Les’s "wall of them, uncirculated coins" likens the records to collectibles that retain value precisely because they remain unused, untouched by time's wear. This metaphor sets the tone for the poem's exploration of the passage of time and the transformation of objects and experiences. The shift from summer to fall symbolizes this transition, with the natural world changing around them, marked by the consolidation of breweries and the transformation of woods into a golf course. These changes reflect a loss of the past, replaced by modernity and commercialization.

The poem then shifts focus to specific musical pieces and artists, evoking the emotional resonance and personal significance they hold. Matthews references Wilhelm Furtwängler's interpretation of a Beethoven symphony, specifically the "too-fast fourth movement" that the speaker loves, capturing a moment of musical tension and urgency. The mention of John Coltrane "breaking / his breath in the hissing rapids" evokes the intense, flowing nature of jazz and the ephemeral quality of breath and sound. Janis Joplin, known for her raw and passionate performances, is described as being "in heat" and "in scratch," suggesting both the fervor of her singing and the physical deterioration of the records.

The poem culminates with a reflection on Jussi Björling's "beautiful voice / ruined by whisky." The "fuzz on the ripe notes" serves as a poignant metaphor for the imperfections that accumulate over time, not just on records but in life. The continued growth of this "fuzz" suggests an inevitable decline, a persistent degradation that cannot be halted, much like the encroaching fuzz on a vinyl record as it wears down.

Through these vignettes of musical experiences, Matthews meditates on the passage of time and the efforts to preserve memories and experiences against the relentless march of decay. The act of saving things from ourselves, as the speaker notes, reflects a desire to hold onto the purity and originality of these moments, yet also acknowledges the futility of such efforts. The poem captures a sense of nostalgia and loss, as the physical and emotional qualities of the records and the music they contain are inevitably altered by time and usage.

"Old Records" resonates as a reflection on the impermanence of art and life. Matthews poignantly conveys the bittersweet nature of trying to preserve the past while recognizing the inevitability of change and deterioration. The poem's language, rich with sensory details and musical references, creates a vivid portrait of the ephemeral beauty of sound and memory, leaving the reader with a sense of the poignant, unending passage of time.

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