Buying a Beautiful Morning
Limits of Capitalism
When it comes to films, the intersection of sound and music is key. Many will cite Star Wars, or MTV Music Television, or something else. However, this connection goes back further.
My earliest exposure to this were the musicals of the 1960s, and in this case, Oliver. The song "Who Will Buy" captivated me:
The song demonstrates the power of the free markets to offer anything to buy, but also what cannot be bought, and put into a box with a ribbon, it is a beautiful morning you must merely enjoy as it fades. Utopia is not an option, but a drug. The gap between the real world and idealism exists. The lyrics are captivating but also revealing:
Who will buy
This wonderful morning?
Such a sky
You never did see!
Who will tie
It up with a ribbon
And put it in a box for me?
So I could see it at my leisure
Whenever things go wrong
And I would keep it as a treasure
To last my whole life long.
Me, oh my!
I don't want to lose it
So what am I to do
To keep the sky so blue?
There must be someone who will buy...
There'll never be a day so sunny.
It could not happen twice.
Where is the man with all the money?
It's cheap at half the price!
Who will buy
This wonderful feeling?
I'm so high
I swear I could fly.
Me, oh my!
I don't want to lose it
So what am I to do
To keep the sky so blue?
The film, movie, motion picture, or whatever verbiage you like, demonstrates how the passions of an irrational but enthusiastic, passionate boy infects the adults around him while enjoying a moment which will fade into history. I know; it is just a wonderful movie, but the message remains. There is a difference to be made between fantasy and reality. Enjoy the fantasy (or moment) for what it is, but eventually, if you are going to function in the real world, you take the red pill.
Oh, and while you can’t buy a beautiful morning, you can buy me a cup of coffee! Not utopia but a bit of cheer. https://buymeacoffee.com/andrewlsullivan