Why "Diamonds and Rust" ?

It's taken me a while to come up with a good name for my "lifestyle and beauty" blog. I wanted something that encompassed skincare and makeup, but also art, music, culture, science, and fashion. I did not want to limit it to just one thing. Is that a good thing? I don't know. I don't actually care. I want to write about whatever I  want to write about. That's what writers do, right?

But why Diamonds and Rust? Well, of course, diamonds are a symbol of wealth and beauty. But they can be "blood" diamonds, synthetic diamonds, or just pretty sparkly worthless things too. Rust? You can't escape rust. Rust can be as beautiful as it is destructive. I want to explore all those things. Apparently, also diamonds can oxidize "get rusty" at 405F -- that's pretty damn hot and that is also science. We are checking all the boxes, aren't we? 

Specifically, "Diamonds and Rust" is a beautifully haunting song by Joan Baez.  Rob Halford (of \Judas Priest) has also performed it. It's an amazing song.  The song was written in 1974 when I was 10 years old and recorded in 1975. It's a song that feels like it ends without an ending. 

Here are the lyrics and a couple versions of the song. Enjoy.

Diamonds and Rust

Well, I'll be damned
Here comes your ghost again
But that's not unusual
It's just that the moon is full
And you happened to call
And here I sit
Hand on the telephone
Hearing a voice I'd known
A couple of light years ago
Heading straight for a fall

As I remember your eyes
Were bluer than robin's eggs
My poetry was lousy you said
Where are you calling from?
A booth in the midwest
Ten years ago
I bought you some cufflinks
You brought me something
We both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust

Well, you burst on the scene
Already a legend
The unwashed phenomenon
The original vagabond
You strayed into my arms
And there you stayed
Temporarily lost at sea
The Madonna was yours for free
Yes, the girl on the half-shell
Could keep you unharmed

Now I see you standing
With brown leaves falling all around
And snow in your hair
Now you're smiling out the window
Of that crummy hotel
Over Washington Square
Our breath comes out white clouds
Mingles and hangs in the air
Speaking strictly for me
We both could have died then and there

Now you're telling me
You're not nostalgic
Then give me another word for it
You who are so good with words
And at keeping things vague
'Cause I need some of that vagueness now
It's all come back too clearly
Yes, I loved you dearly
And if you're offering me diamonds and rust
I've already paid

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Joan Baez

Diamonds and Rust lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing