Bon Iver, 21 M◊◊N WATER | Wacky Wednesday 💎

On Wacky Wednesday, we examine the thought-provoking Bon Iver gem, “21 M◊◊N WATER” from the 2016 album, 22, A Million.

Wacky Wednesday is reserved for an intriguing song or piece of music that’s out of the ordinary – definitely ear catching.  What better way to celebrate hump day, right?  Let’s get wacky on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 with “21 M◊◊N WATER,” courtesy of Grammy-winning alternative collective Bon Iver.

Led by Justin Vernon, Bon Iver returned triumphantly in 2016 with 22, A Million, an eclectic album that sounded like nothing else released that year.  Incorporating electronic cues and acoustic cues alike, 22, A Million is an intriguing listen.  While its lyrics can be challenging – drenched in spirituality, numerology, and the most accessible, romance – 22, A Million is an album that makes listeners think.

“21 M◊◊N WATER,” the seventh track from the album (there’s a significance to this, btw), is filled with thought-provoking lyrics and references.  Like much of 22, A Million, the record embraces numerology. Interestingly, Justin Vernon sings: “The math ahead / the math behind it / it’s moon water.”  What is particularly significant about those lyrics, as well as “21 M◊◊N WATER” isn’t water itself, but the number 7.  First of all, it appears as the seventh track on 22, A Million.  21, the number referenced in the title, is a product of 7. Also, 21 is comprised of three sevens, and 777 is a key Biblical number.

Here’s the thing.  While Bon Iver makes ‘spiritual’ references, “21 M◊◊N WATER” isn’t Christian.  Numerology certainly isn’t associated with Christianity in the least.  It is numbers based, hence why the reference to math signifies its use here.  Why are two opposite ends of the spectrum – Christianity and numerology – referenced within one song? Duality, which is a key component of 22, A Million and runs rampant on “21 M◊◊N WATER.” A prime example? “I’m not sinking – I’m not synching.”  Wow – how clever is that? Backtracking to spiritual association, if you need further evidence that “21 M◊◊N WATER” isn’t Christian, let’s talk about that ‘M◊◊N WATER,’ shall we?  Moon water, per Witchipedia is:

“Moon water is water that has been charged with the energies of the moon. It is a popular way to charge water to be used during a ceremony or spell working or to brew magical potions and may be used for anything you are directed to use water for.”

“21 M◊◊N WATER” is nothing short of intriguing, period, so much so, it previously appeared on the playlist, 13 Wet Songs About Water, Water, Water.

Bon Iver • 22, A Million • Jagjaguwar • Release: 2016

Photo Credit: Jagjaguwar