By The Landlord
“She took the facts and in a natural way charged them with tension; she intensified reality as she reduced it to words, she injected it with energy … Her quickness of mind was like a hiss, a dart, a lethal bite.” ― Elena Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend
“He had measured five feet four inches of pure gamecock.” ― Flannery O’Connor
“Welcome poverty! Welcome misery, welcome houselessness, welcome hunger, rags, tempest, and beggary! Mutual confidence will sustain us to the end!” – Wilkins McCawber in Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield
“The reason we’re successful, darling? My overall charisma, of course.” – Freddie Mercury
Some people have it, like a light shining out of them. A presence, an aura, a warmth, an energy. It generates as soon as the walk into a room, as soon as they speak. But charisma is not restricted to the rich and famous. We have all encountered it in our lives – perhaps in a teacher, a work colleague, a local character down the pub, or even in a parent, grandparent, other relative or friend. This week, as described in song is all about that certain quality of character, that attractiveness or charm that inspires a love or devotion or fascination or even obsession in others, a natural power that touches, influences, a compelling magnetism. Sometimes that can be gentle and benign, sometimes cocky, outrageous, cruel, manipulative and aggressive, power-wielding and scary, but it’s something we all recognise, and can sometimes summon up in ourselves.
This week’s topic could include songs that describe qualities of the famous or otherwise, but it’s the latter that might be more potent. A song about a famous figure, whether that be Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela, John F Kennedy or Elvis Presley could count, but only if they capture the qualities of charisma that are so inspiring or marked. When describing a more personal acquaintance, such songs might concentrate more particularly on that person’s inner qualities rather than outward, established persona, in order to highlight them, and what it is that affects the narrator so significantly. Alternatively the song could be from the point of view of the person with charisma.
So how can we define charisma more? A crowd of talking heads have come into the Bar to fill us in on this more. “Charisma is the transference of enthusiasm,” expounds with huge tones the actor Ralph Archbold, best known for portraying Benjamin Franklin.
“Charisma is not just saying hello. It’s dropping what you’re doing to say hello,” sings out the operatic tenor Robert Breault.
“Charisma is the perfect blend of warmth and confidence,” declares the behavioural science author Vanessa Van Edwards, with a huge, beaming, white-toothed smile.
But is charisma always outgoing? Not according to the German philosopher and economist Max Weber: “Charisma knows only inner determination and inner restraint. The charismatic leader gains and maintains authority solely by proving his strength in life.” Sometimes a quieter person can have as much of a presence as a loud one.
Many politicians and public figures have charisma, but not always with entirely positive or generous motives. “History is rich with adventurous men, long on charisma, with a highly developed instinct for their own interests, who have pursued personal power - bypassing parliaments and constitutions, distributing favours to their minions, and conflating their own desires with the interests of the community,” says Umberto Eco.
It is easy to pick out obvious examples of current political leaders from that description, but let’s not give them the benefit of the charisma adjective, but instead pick out examples from other walks of life, not always famous.
The title here relates the book by Italian author Elena Ferrante, which became a series, the Neapolitan Novels. The first, set in 1950s Naples, follows two friend, Elena and her brilliant friend Lila, who teaches herself to read and write, and struggles against the difficulties of living in an impoverished area, and under the shadow of the mafia and a society in which the poor, and women are repressed. It has now been made into an HBO series.
Charisma against the odds: My Brilliant Friend
In a more twisted version of childhood friendship inspired by charisma, comes Peter Jackson’s 1994 film Heavenly Creatures, based on the the notorious 1954 Parker–Hulme murder case in Christchurch, New Zealand. It all starts when a 14-year-old girl from a working-class family, Pauline Parker (Melanie Lynskey), befriends the more affluent English 13-year-old Juliet Hulme (Kate Winslet). What occurs is an extraordinary tale of charisma-inspired Caruso music fantasy world escapism leading to murder.
Fateful friendship: Heavenly Creatures (1994)
And even darker, the real-life charisma of that ultimate dark force of cult personality, Charles Manson.
Insane charisma: Charles Manson
But let’s step away from the dark side. Eccentricity is another branch of charisma. It’s a topic that’s come up before, but is worth revisiting. Here’s a charming example of a non-famous person with oodles of charisma, a gem of a person who despite his age, is very much in touch with the future and current issues.
Dad’s Coffin - clink on the link above to see the trailer.
And to echo words I’ve previously written, let’s look into eccentricity a little more. Is it a particularly English trait, and if so, why? There is undoubtedly a rich history of it on this eclectic island. Classical composer, novelist, artist and aesthete Gerald Tyrwhitt, also known as the 14th Baron Berners (1883-1950), kept pigeons. Nothing odd about that, except he also dyed them all in vibrant colours, took afternoon tea with his pet giraffe, kept a clavichord in his Rolls Royce and built a 100ft viewing tower in his garden. Theologian Francis Henry Egerton, the 8th Earl of Bridgewater (1756-1829) regularly gave dinner parties for dogs, dressing them up the in fashions of the day. He also wore a new pair of shoes every day and lined them up as a method of measuring time.
William Buckland. Hunger for knowledge
Perhaps though palaeontologist and theologian William Buckland (1784-1856) beats them all. He kept hundreds of animal specimens in his house, on many of which he liked to dine (and force upon guests), including mole, bluebottle, panther, crocodile and mouse. He was so voracious, when shown the heart of a French king (believed to be that of Louis XIV) preserved at Nuneham in a silver casket, he simply could not hold back his curiosity, and to the astonishment of all present, gobbled the precious relic straight up.
Vast wealth, and time to pursue interests, pleasures or obsessions has certainly been a catalyst for some eccentrics. America's Howard Hughes is certainly a prime example. And among musicians, the antics of the Who's Keith Moon and actor friend Oliver Reed, among other hellraisers, are well documented. And then there are others kinds of British eccentrics, such as the sparkly eyed actor and mountaineering enthusiast Brian Blessed, surely one of the most energetic an unusual men alive.
Gordon’s Alive! Look at the eyes … Brian Blessed
But what do charismatic people have in common? It all seems to something to do with a combination of gait, voice, and in particular, eyes.
In the modern age, many sports figures, with careful media training and Twitter profiles, while they can perform in their arena with their bodies, often lack the charisma we are looking for. In the early 2000s the great George Best, who certainly had charisma on and off the pitch, remarked: “There isn't a single player I would pay to watch. You can say Thierry Henry, he's a fabulous striker, with pace and power, but a great entertainer needs to have charisma, too. Does he have charisma? No.”
George Best: watch the feet, but also the eyes
However, others have it in spades and famous people are inspired by the charisma of other famous people. So who is the greatest in this category?
Muhammad Ali: watch the hands, but also the eyes
“I watched Ali, studied Ali, and I studied Sugar Ray Robinson. I watched them display showmanship. I watched them use pizzazz, personality, and charisma. I took things from them and borrowed things from them because boxing is entertainment,” says Sugar Ray Leonard.
In the world of film Holly Hunter is here to talk about her favourite. “Helen Mirren is, I think, one of the fascinating actresses. Period. She captivates people and has tremendous power and charisma because she has never cashed in on being an exquisite beauty, even though I think she is.”
Helen Mirren: the eyes
Alongside Mirren, surely one of the most influential actors on many since is Jack Nicholson. Again, it’s all in the eyes – oscillating with a mystery, danger, a warm sort of insanity.
Jack Nicholson: beware the eyes
And then of course the world of music. Here are a few more examples …
It’s me darling. Freddie Mercury
Serge Gainsbourg’s charisma entrancing Jane Birkin
Lene Lovich: still going strong with sparkle
Iggy Pop. Small man, with huge, rich voice
Black magic: Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
And another one of Little Richard. Why not!
And end with a song to start off the nominations. It’s different:
So then, it’s time to crystallise charisma into your own song nominations and place them in comments below. Spotting the special eyes and voices, and no doubt corralling and charisma into wonderfully crafted playlists, I’m delighted to welcome another new guru to the Song Bar chair - the highly astute ajostu! Deadline for nominations is 11pm on Monday UK time, for playlists published on Wednedsday. I’m sure you all have the character and charisma to carry it off.
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