A Big Man Said

"A Big Man Said" is a musical setting of a famous speech/text by Mahatma Gandhi, often titled "God Is" or "Truth is God." The song's meaning is deeply rooted in spiritual philosophy and the search for ultimate truth.

The central theme is the existence of an immutable, benevolent cosmic law that governs the universe. The "Big Man" in the title refers to Gandhi himself, acknowledging his stature as a "Great Soul" (Mahatma). The lyrics argue that despite the chaos, suffering, and death visible in the world, there is a fundamental undercurrent of life and truth that cannot be extinguished. This perspective offers a message of hope and resilience, suggesting that the universe is not random or cruel, but ordered and loving.

By placing these weighty philosophical words against a backdrop of relaxing, harmonious music, Rue Du Soleil invites the listener to not just intellectually understand the concept, but to feel the peace that comes from accepting this "divine authority." It transforms a theological argument into a meditative experience.

The song does not follow a traditional verse-chorus structure but instead features a continuous spoken-word narrative. The text begins with a reflection on the limitations of denying earthly power, drawing a parallel to the futility of denying a higher, divine power. The narrator posits that ignoring this 'Supreme Good' does not free one from its laws.

The core of the message observes the dualities of existence. The speaker notes that even surrounded by death, life continues to exist. In the face of lies and untruth, truth remains resilient. Amidst darkness, light persists. From these observations, the narrator concludes that this underlying force—God—is the essence of Life, Truth, and Light. This force is described not as a malevolent ruler but as 'purely benevolent' and synonymous with Love.

The narrative continues by suggesting that this divine power must rule the heart and transform it, rather than merely satisfying the intellect. The speaker admits to dimly perceiving a changeless, living power beneath the ever-changing and dying world around them—a power that holds the universe together, creating and recreating. The lyrics conclude with an affirmation of faith in this 'unalterable law' that governs everything, suggesting that submission to this divine authority makes the journey of life easier.

"A Big Man Said" was released on September 26, 2005, as part of the album Essential Feelings. This album was released under the prestigious Café del Mar Music label, which is synonymous with the chillout and sunset music culture of Ibiza, Spain.

Rue Du Soleil is a project formed in 1999 in Zürich, Switzerland, primarily consisting of Alfonso Bianco and Dragan Jakovljevic (along with other collaborators like Yavuz Uslu and Claudio Montuori). They became known for their emotive, cinematic downtempo tracks that frequently appeared on the Café del Mar compilation series (e.g., Vol. 9, Vol. 10).

For this specific track, the duo chose to sample a recording of the text "God Is," written by Mahatma Gandhi in 1925 (originally published in Young India). The recording used is likely a professional narration rather than Gandhi's original voice (which was higher-pitched), selected for its soothing and authoritative timber to match the lounge atmosphere.

Rhyme: The lyrics are prose, not poetry, so there is no rhyme scheme. It is a philosophical essay delivered as a speech.

Rhythm:

• Lyrical Rhythm: The speech has a natural, oratorical rhythm. The speaker uses pauses effectively to emphasize key concepts like "Life," "Truth," and "Light."
• Musical Rhythm: The song employs a steady, laid-back 4/4 beat typical of the downtempo genre. The percussion is soft and unobtrusive, providing a heartbeat-like foundation that grounds the ethereal concepts of the text. The interplay between the free-flowing speech and the structured beat creates a sense of stability and calm.

Musical Techniques:

• Spoken Word Sample: The track is built entirely around the vocal narration. The music is composed to underscore the natural cadence of the speech, swelling and receding with the intensity of the words.
• Instrumentation: It features the signature Balearic sound—lush synthesizer pads, a slow downtempo beat (approx. 90-100 BPM), and melodic acoustic guitar lines (a Rue Du Soleil trademark). The arrangement is spacious, allowing the voice to take center stage.
• Atmospheric Texture: Use of reverb and delay creates a "dreamy" and expansive soundscape, enhancing the spiritual quality of the lyrics.

Literary Techniques (in the text):

• Paradox/Juxtaposition: "In the midst of death life persists."
• Repetition/Anaphora: The repeated phrase "In the midst of..." builds a rhythmic and rhetorical crescendo.

"A Big Man Said" is a standout track in the Chillout/Lounge genre, particularly within the Café del Mar community. The Café del Mar series is globally influential, defining the "sound of sunset" in Ibiza and beyond.

By incorporating Gandhi's words, the song bridges the gap between electronic background music and spiritual mindfulness, a trend often seen in the "conscious" sub-genres of electronic music. It remains a fan favorite for yoga, meditation, and relaxation playlists, contributing to Rue Du Soleil's reputation as masters of emotive downtempo music.

The song relies heavily on the metaphorical contrasts found in Gandhi's text:

• Light vs. Darkness: Represents knowledge/goodness versus ignorance/evil. "In the midst of darkness, light persists" symbolizes hope and the indestructibility of positive energy.
• Life vs. Death: A metaphor for the cyclical nature of the universe and the idea that the spirit or "law" survives physical destruction.
• The "Big Man": The title itself is a symbol. It colloquially elevates the speaker (Gandhi) to a figure of immense moral weight and wisdom, someone whose words carry gravity.
• The Law: Represents the divine order. It is not a legal code but a metaphor for the natural, inescapable rhythm of the cosmos.

The most significant recurring motif in the text is the structure "In the midst of [negative], [positive] persists." This repetition serves as the philosophical anchor of the song, hammering home the resilience of the divine force.

Musically, a melodic guitar hook recurs throughout the instrumental breaks, acting as a reflective pause that allows the listener to digest the spoken words. The lush synth "wash" is a constant sonic motif, representing the omnipresent "law" mentioned in the text.