No Call to Answer
Another ramble – a brief one this time. You’ve been forewarned.
. . .
Some songs appeal intellectually through meaningful or witty lyrics. Others do so through stirring music. Sometimes it’s a combination of the two that hits home.
But I think the songs that make the deepest impression are those that touch us emotionally. What makes such a connection varies from person to person. That’s understandable; we’re all different and have different experiences, likes, and desires.
When a song makes that emotional connection deeply and accurately, it can move you greatly – even years after you first hear it. Couple that with quality lyrics and well-crafted music, and you have a song you’ll literally never forget.
For me, this is one such song. It’s not particularly well known; it wasn’t a hit. But I have to admit it can move me nearly to tears most every time I hear it.
IMO it works on a number of levels. It works for a friendship gone bad, then reconciled; ditto for a romantic relationship that ends, then resumes. It fits the return of a prodigal son (or daughter). Indeed, IMO it works for most any type of estrangement/falling-out that those involved elect to try and overcome – regardless of the reason, or the gender(s) of those involved. It also works, albeit perhaps not as well, for estrangements that are never overcome.
Paridoxically, it also fits the situation of having someone close who’s on a protracted “final approach” – all too well, unfortunately. Trust me on that.
Below is a YouTube clip (audio only) of the tune in question; it’s the original version. If you think you might prefer a male/female duet, such a version can be found here. That version is good, too.
RIP, Dad. We still miss you.
. . .
That’s all for today. Heading back to . . . wherever.
Category: Pointless blather, Who knows
This is a great song and as you described. I kinda love that when you buy an album/CD that the songs that don’t make it big are the best…
For me, the songs that get to me are ones that bring back a memory of someplace. Not so much relations, though occasionally that’s true.
See, the thing is, my dad was a WWII veteran, and also had a nice antiques business on the side. As a result, our home was sort of like a time capsule. We had this beautiful Victrola and stacks of 78rpm records, and I’d wind up that Victrols and play these wonderful old recordings from the 30’s & 40’s. Blues, swing, dixieland, jazz, Old Time Country, etc.
So anyway, when I hear some of those old tunes, it takes me back to those days as a boy, and reminds me of why I became a musician. I hear “At Last” or “I’ll Be Seeing You”, or any of Benny Goodman or Artie Shaw, or Robert Johnson, and I’m back there.
Same with music from the 60’s, 70’s, etc.
Interestingly enough, and to relate to the timelessness of some music, my son, while he was in Afghanistan (173rd Airborne) and his friend used to sit around and listen to the Rat Pack. Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Dean martin, and all those great voices. That just blew me away.
It must have been so surreal to see a bunch of 20-something combat troops sitting around and chilling to those crooners. 🙂
So there’s hope for our nation, at least for our musical heritage.
Thanks for another nice post, Hondo. I look forward to these. Maybe I’ll get off my butt one of these days and write a couple things too. It’s been far too long since I’ve done that.
One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands. Stunt is a great albums from start to end. Another song that hits me right in the feels is “When I Fall”. You can find it here: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9vlqmr9Zaug. There is a deeper metaphor that just speaks to me.
Chiles: “Stunt” IMO is probably the BNL’s best work. But “Maroon” isn’t too far behind, and might be just as good (which is saying something). Both are absolutely excellent.
The song that gets me is Craig Morgan’s “Paradise”. One line in particular gets me and it’s “I never thought the day would come when I might have to kill a man, I did not sly that night but we won for Uncle Sam”. He served as an Artillery man during Operation Restore Hope.
Hondo…Thank you. Tears of happy remembrance are good sometimes. I have always enjoyed the work of BNL. Especially this song.
Rest In Peace, to my Father and older brothers, Bruce, Arthur and Frank. I do miss you all so much. We had our rough patches and struggles sometimes, but our love for one another, never failed to shine through in the end.
That is a great song and I must confess, it is the first time I have heard it. I am a child of the 60’s so my music tends to drift back toward that era but now it is country. I detect a touch of Brian Wilson type lyrics and melody in the song. Thanks, I will check out more of them.
A song I often fall into is Song to the Siren.
The covers by This Mortal Cover, Sinad O’Connor and, especially The Czars all carry a different degree of emotional impact. The original version by Tim Buckley is, of course, The Original.
It’s my Song of Regrets. And man, do I have a lot of that.
This Mortal Coil, not Mortal Cover.
Sheesh.
Now that I think about it, Mortal Cover would be a decent name for a band… especially if it was a cover band.