🎶
My dad is a drummer and has been learning this song (aka listening on repeat)
I’ve been listening to this song basically my entire life and it always lived in my brain as a “music song” more so than a “lyric song” if you know what I mean… BUT hearing it recently I realized it has the most beautiful lyrics ever so it now lives in my head as one of the best songs of all time🙌
“…
Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher
But I flew too high
Though my eyes could see, I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think, I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I'm dreaming
I can hear them say
Carry on, my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, well
It surely means that I don't know
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about, I'm like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune
But I hear the voices say
Carry on, my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more…”
💗💗💗
Jul 11, 2024
Related Recs
🌠
I fly a starship
Across the Universe divide
And when I reach the other side
I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
But I will remain
And I'll be back again
And again, and again, and again
And again, and again...
May 26, 2024
😃
By Wayne Newton
It’s a strange song from 1972 about a father leaving his wife and daughter while his child runs after him in confusion.
I love a weird bop and this one takes the cake. It’s unfortunately stuck in my head so I’m sharing it’s curse.
May 17, 2024
I really admire how he kept trying new things, routinely switching up his stylistic approach to explore the same set of themes, always sticking to his guns.
Here are some of his lyrics that have been on my mind lately:
✥ From 'Pleasures of the Harbor'
For love was but a smile
Teasing all the while
Now dancing down the drain
✥ From 'The Party'
The wallflower is waiting, she hides behind composure
She'd love to dance and prays that no one asks her
Then she steals a glance at lovers while her fingers tease her hair
And she marvels at the confidence of those who hide their fears
Then her eyes are closed as she rides away with a foreign legionnaire
And my shoulders had to shrug
As I crawl beneath the rug
And re-tune my piano
✥ From 'When I'm Gone'
And I won't breathe the bracing air when I'm gone
And I can't even worry 'bout my cares when I'm gone
Won't be asked to do my share when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
✥ From 'There But For Fortune'
Show me a prison, show me a jail
Show me a prisoner whose face has gone pale
And I'll show you a young man with so many reasons why
And there but for fortune, may go you or I
Also 'Jim Dean of Indiana' is great example of how lyrics are animated by melody, phrasing and pacing. None of the lyrics of 'Jim Dean' particularly stand out when written down, but when heard the emotional build-up is so intense and heart-breaking. Every quiet blunt little line builds on the one that came before, culminating in the final gut-punch:
"That is where I placed a flower
For Jim Dean of Indiana"
It's the only time anything in the song is said in first person, let alone implies that the story has anything other than a distant omniscient point of view. It's just so sad!!
Anyways, give him a listen and lmk if you have any insight into the lyrical pit of despair that is 'When In Rome' lol
(Phil could get extremely pessimistic, would often write from the worst person in any scenario's perspective to really make you look at it straight in the face [eg: 'Outside Of A Small Circle Of Friends'*] and really loved writing about sailors. It can be a lot sometimes!)
_____________________________________
* "Maybe we should raise our voices, ask somebody why
But demonstrations are a drag, besides, we're much too high"
is another great line lol, get organized or get WRECKED
Jan 31, 2025
Top Recs from @rururuthie
There are SO many great series out here these days, and this isn’t anything new or groundbreaking, but I’ve been watching Adventure Time since I was a little kid- I have watched it in full dozens of times at least.
I’m amazed every viewing at how I am able to understand new profound themes along with new levels of silliness.
The creator is basically a genius and I think it’s one of the most beautiful and underrated cartoons everrrrr
Mar 20, 2024
Mar 31, 2024
I’ve been obsessed with this app that identifies birdies based on their calls and songs!
It’s incredible how many different birds are in my yard at different times of day.
I’m so excited to use it while traveling too🙌
Apr 21, 2024