It’s very rare that I stumble upon a song that really moves me. That’s not to say that I’m not deeply in love with a lot of the music that I listen to — I rarely listen to music that I’m not infatuated with. There are some songs, however, that just resonate in my ears at a level that’s just so different than any other. Whenever I find a song like this, I have to learn how to sing it and I have to learn how to play it. My most recent obsession has been a cover of Upwards Over the Mountain by Jesse Lacey — originally performed by Iron & Wine.
I am making it a point to create my own versions of these discoveries from now on. I usually do it in the privacy of my own home but I’m going a little more public with it. I will post them here for everyone as I make them. I’ll start them off with my cover of Upwards Over The Mountain:
The others are covered so frequently that I’m not incredibly motivated to make my own versions.
“And we’ll never miss a party cause we keep them going constantly…”
Tonight I’m wondering what he actually meant by this. Not that the intended meaning has any true impact on what it means to me. What I’m finding more interesting is how the meaning has changed for me over the years. What I’m finding the most interesting is when I realized what it would mean to truly stay 18 forever.
I remember when it meant that I would stay alive for eternity. I never wanted to fully give in to the notion of maturity. Little did I know I had always been doomed since before I even knew better…but it was more than that. It was rebellion, it was freedom, and it was security. It was standing in the middle of the road, overlooking the city, and screaming until our lungs gave out. It was late night guitar. It was skyline.
Tonight it’s different. Maybe it’s because I remember exactly what it meant and how that has slipped through my fingers. Maybe it’s because I crossed a line I never thought I would cross. No matter what the case may be, tonight it’s a reflection. It’s a song about our past and an ode to the memories we will always wish we could relive. It’s not regret. Instead it’s a painful acceptance of the paths that we’ve chosen. Believe me, they are very painful.
The words begin to mean more to me.
You’re just jealous cause we’re young and in love
Your stomach’s filled up but you’re starved for conversation
You’re spending all your nights growing old in your bed
And you’re tearing up your photos cause you wanna forget… it’s over
It’s weird. There are photos that I would like to tear up simply because they remind me of my decisions but it’s all a part of this art of growing old.
Maybe the second time around will be slightly more productive. Sometimes I write five opening paragraphs before I find the one that will eventually lead to more. That might not be fair to say. I think they would each lead to an entry by themselves but it’s a matter of how I truly feel at the time…or perhaps it’s the feelings that I want to convey because I’m sure each one is just as real as the other.
I find it difficult to write about something that’s universally interesting - perhaps this stems from my desire to have some sort of “popular blog” that people would want to read on a daily basis. That may very well happen someday when I find that one thing that everyone wants to read about. Until then, you can enjoy the entries that will lead up to it.
Sometimes I like to steal a line from the song of the day and run with it. It’s not that I feel I could do better. No, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The truth is, I don’t believe anyone can do it better and I like to contribute what it truly means to me.
“The time has come for colds and overcoats”
Maybe it’s a feeling we all get this time of year or perhaps it’s simply something that I wish we could all share. It’s that glimmering hope of the magic of the season. It’s the morning you wake up and smell the change in weather. It’s that night you drive passed post-Thanksgiving decorations and feel December.
Everything’s a little more of everything. The air is a little colder and the nights are a little longer.
I’d like to think that everything’s a little more wonderful.
4 Comments
