I don’t know when “compromise” became a dirty word, but I suspect it was either the day before we ditched “diplomacy” or the day after “compassion” was shit-canned and “tolerance” was trashed.
As a noun, the word “compromise” is all sweetness and light. It’s an agreement, an understanding, or a settlement. As a verb, it takes on a Jekyl and Hyde-like definition. On the one hand it’s all about meeting each other halfway, striking a balance, reaching a common ground or finding a happy medium. On the other hand, “compromise” also means: undermine, weaken, damage, jeopardize, discredit and embarrass. |
I’m of the opinion that up until the moment the door is slammed shut, the back is turned or the first punch is thrown, a compromise can always be reached, and that is not an effort that undermines strength or indicates weakness. Compromise is neither a stalemate nor a checkmate. It’s one of those rare situations where everyone wins…something. And that’s never a bad thing. I wish that compromise wasn’t so persona non grata these days. There’s so much more to lose than there is to gain by being hypocritically stubborn in our action and implacable in our thought. |
The last song in my tribute to the music of Tommy Keene is a small step forward in his discography but not a complete jump to his most recent work which, I’ll admit, I have yet to thoroughly investigate. It would take Tommy three years to follow up Songs From the Film with the ironically titled, Based on Happy Times. Fans would have to wait another three years for an EP of five new songs on a new label, and four more years for a new full-length album to be released. Ten Years After is chock full of fabulous songwriting that once again left everyone scratching their heads and wondering "what in the world does this guy need to do in order to catch a break?" Reviews like this one from the Chicago Tribune only added to the prevailing consternation: “Keene conjures up sweeping, buoyant melodies that sigh with unfulfilled longing, then delivers them with bracing, breezy musicianship. Ten Years After is Keene's first new album since 1989, and it's awash with scintillating three-minute gems.” I mean, c’mon. What’s not to like about scintillating three-minute gems?
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One of those gems that still shines as brightly for me as it did back in 1996, is “Compromise,” today’s Happy Medium Song of the Day, and a tune that puts a bittersweet twist on the notion of being “stuck” in a compromise. Is it about Tommy’s efforts to succeed in the music business without selling out? Is it about his sexuality? Is it about continually trying to reach a broader audience without alienating loyal fans? I suspect it is all three, and even more than we’ll never know. (Please use the comments box to share your thoughts.)
Tommy Keene
1958-2017
R.I.P.
1958-2017
R.I.P.