Blood Runs... Gray?

As I was looking for inspiration for this post, the Youtube gods gave it to me. Matt Maeson’s new song “Blood Runs Red” (the link is at the bottom) popped up on my recommendations and the thumbnail intrigued me so I clicked on it. To my surprise, the story behind it is eerily similar to The Picture of Dorian Gray… besides the homosexuality. 

In Maeson’s song, he sings about how he lost touch of his faith because he gained, as he put it, “narcissistic tendencies” from being an accomplished artist. Similar to how Dorian became confident to a fault because of his high class in the Victorian era, Maeson and Dorian both had distorted senses of themselves. 

In the music video, Maeson changed physically numerous times. He also notices and reacts to how he acts and looks throughout the stages of self-discovery. When the alcoholism is high, Maeson can’t fathom who he is in the mirror. If Dorian Gray looking at his portrait was in a video it would be 1:54 in Maeson’s music video. 

Dorian oftentimes is disgusted by himself in his portrait, but then looks at himself in the mirror and can begin to breathe again because of his youth. This is the opposite

for Maeson because he sees himself with his family and singing on tour with adoration, and a happy demeanor; whereas, with surprise and disgust when looking in the mirror- as it shows the effects of not connecting back to faith. For Dorian, he finds solace and comfort in nature, and Maeson finds the same thing in his religion. Both of them constantly remind themselves that they are living: Maeson by telling himself that his blood is still red like other humans and Dorian with his parties he throws to remind himself that this is what "normal" people do.  

I also find it interesting that Dorian wants to have nothing shown on his physical body or his secrets, but Maeson has tattoos that say “born a sinner” and “die a martyr” – illustrating his inner morals to society. 

I know Dorian is a fictional character from the nineteenth century, but many people today– obviously Maeson because I made this blog post about it :) – experience a struggle to find the mix

I hate that this is made with bad grammar, but you get the point...

between a public self and a private self. “Dorian’s” are at ease with conforming to public images and always presenting a prestigious and “perfect” person and are terrified of people finding out that they are not perfect and they struggle with things in their personal life. “Maeson’s” are people who are comfortable sharing their life, and emphasizing the fact that no one’s life is perfect, and it is ok to admit when things get rough and how one overcame, or is still struggling with this obstacle of acceptance. 

Take four minutes and thirteen seconds out of your day to enjoy this fabulous song and see how it is The Picture of Dorian Gray in a video. 

P.S. if you like this song, you should listen to Cringe by Matt Maeson because that is the first song of his I have ever listened to and I have not been the same since. 

Blood Runs Red

Matt Mason's purpose of the song

Cringe tw blood