Rockstar

Today is Beerday, all over again. Music is the theme and we've got a mixture that varies from rocker to indie rock chick... to a Justin Bieber (WTF!).

All in all, should be yet another great day.

Today's pick is easy enough. "Rockstar" by Nickleback. Would be a pretty close description of my life. Hey, we can all dream, right? Besides, when asked at my last employee review what I would be doing if not my job, I answered "Rockstar". Not sure that's what they were expecting. Then again I think they've learned to not really expect anything.

I'm through with standing in line
to the clubs I'll never get in
It's like the bottom of the ninth
and I'm never gonna win
This life hasn't turned out
quite the way I want it to be

(tell me what you want)

I want a brand new house
on an episode of Cribs
And a bathroom I can play baseball in
And a king size tub big enough
for ten plus me

(yeah, so what you need)

I'll need a, a credit card that's got no limit
And a big black jet with a bedroom in it
Gonna join the mile high club
At thirty-seven thousand feet

(Been there done that)

I want a new tour bus full of old guitars
My own star on Hollywood Boulevard
Somewhere between Cher and
James Dean is fine for me

(So how you gonna do it?)

I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name

[CHORUS]
'Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars
Livin' in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny cause we just won't eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest bars
In the VIP with the movie stars
Every good gold digger's
Gonna wind up there
Every Playboy bunny
with her bleach blonde hair
and well..
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

I wanna be great like Elvis without the tassels
Hire eight body guards that love to beat up assholes
Sign a couple autographs
So I can eat my meals for free

(I'll have the quesadilla... ha ha)

I'm gonna dress my ass
with the latest fashion
Get a front door key to the Playboy mansion
Gonna date a centerfold that loves to
blow my money for me

(So how you gonna do it?)

I'm gonna trade this life
For fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair
And change my name

'Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars
Livin' in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny cause we just won't eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest bars
In the VIP with the movie stars
Every good gold digger's
Gonna wind up there
Every Playboy bunny
with her bleach blonde hair
And we'll hide out in the private rooms
With the latest dictionary
in today's who's who
We'll get you anything
with that evil smile
Everybody's got a
drug dealer on speed dial
well..
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

I'm gonna sing those songs
that offend the censors
Gonna pop my pills
from a Pez dispenser
Get washed-up singers writing all my songs
Lip sync 'em every night so I don't get 'em wrong

Well we all just wanna be big rockstars
Livin' in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny cause we just won't eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest bars
In the VIP with the movie stars
Every good gold digger's
Gonna wind up there
Every Playboy bunny
with her bleach blonde hair
And we'll hide out in the private rooms
With the latest dictionary
in today's who's who
We'll get you anything
with that evil smile
Everybody's got a
drug dealer on speed dial well..
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

Hey, hey... I wanna be a Rockstar.

End of the Rainbow

This is a catchy tune that's getting a lot of radio play at the moment. Son of the legendary Johnny Clegg, Jesse Clegg has really changed it up and rocks it rather than try to follow the scene set by his dad.

"End of the Rainbow" is really a rather sad tune (well, I think so). Questioning things that just don't make sense. Guess that's something that happens all the time.

Some of us came to conquer
Some of came to lose
I don’t know why I came at all

I stood in line for hours
Nobody told me to
I think I thought I saw your face

See the blooming flowers
Do you remember?
What we said we’d do
If it ever came to this

And you count the hours
Do you recall?
What we used to do
Before we lost our minds

I got to the end of the line now
Behind they’re waiting for me
It felt like I’d waited thirty years

Couldn’t believe what I saw
A hundred thousand lines more
We’ll never get to the end of the rainbow

See the blooming flowers
Do you remember?
What we said we’d do
If it ever came to this

And you count the hours
Do you recall?
What we used to do
Before we lost our minds

Can you count the hours?

Before we lost our minds... think most of the time mine enjoys being totally lost.

Beelzeboss

Another rather amusing track. If you haven't seen Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny, do so, NOW!

This particular track comes from right at the end of the movie when JB and Kage have to challenge the devil to a rock off. Very entertaining. My brother always joked that we should have started our own band Tenacious C. Who knows perhaps someday we might.

[Beelz] I am complete!

[Both] Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!

[Beelz]
Yes you are fucked! Shit out of luck!
I am complete and my cock you will suck!
This world will be mine, and you're first in line!
You brought me the pick and now you shall both die!

[JB]
Wait! Wait! Wait!
You muthafucka'!
We challenge you, to a rock-off!
Give us one chance to rock your socks off.

[Beelz] Fuck! fuck! Fuck!
The Demon Code prevents me,
From declining a rock-off challenge.
What are your terms? What is the ca-ha-hatch?

[JB] If we win, you must take your sorry ass back to hell.
And also you will have to pay our rent...

[Beelz] And what if *I* win?

[JB] Then you can take Kage back to hell...

[KG] What?
[JB] Trust me Kage, its the only way.
[KG] What are you talking about?

[JB] ...To be your little bitch.

[Beelz]
Fine!
Let the rock off, begin! Hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah!

I'm the devil I love metal!

Check this riff, it's fucking tasty!

I'm the Devil I can do what I want!
Whatever I 'got I'm 'gonna flaunt!
There's never been a rock-off challenge I've lost!

I can't wait to take Kage back to hell!
I'm gonna fill him with my hot demon gel!
I'll make him squeal like my scarlet pimpernel!

[JB] No! Come on Kage, bring the thundahh
[KG] There's just no way that we can win, that was a masterpiece.
[JB] Listen to me.
[KG] He rocks too hard because he's not a mortal man!
[JB] Damn-it Kage!
He 'gonna make you his sex slave, you're 'gonna gargle mayonnaise!-
[KG] No...
[JB] -Unless we bust a massive monster mamma-jam!
[KG] Dude, we've been through so much shit...
[JB] Deactivate the lasers with my dick!
[BOTH] Now its time to blow this fucker down!

[JB] C'mon Kage, now it's time to blow doors down.
[KG] I hear you Jabels's, now it's time to blow doors down!
[JB] Light up the stage 'cause its time for a showdown!
[KG] We'll bend you over then we'll take it up brown town!

[BOTH] Now we've got to blow this fucker down!
[KG] He's gonna rape me if we do not blow doors down.
[JB] C'mon Kage cuz it's time to blow doors down!
[KG] Oh, We'll pile drive ya, it's time for the smack down!

[JB] Hey Antichrist-a, Beelzeboss!
We know your weakness, our rocket sauce!
We rock the casbah, and blow your mind!
We will defeat you, for all mankind!

You hold the scepter,
We hold the key!
You are the devil,
We are the D!

We are the D![13x]
We are the D!!

[Beelz]
You guys are fuckin' lame. Come on Kage, You're comin with me!
Taste my lightning, fuckers!

[JB] No!

[Beelz]
Ow! Fuck!
My Fuckin' horn!

[JB] From once you came, you shall remain,
until you can,complete the game!

[Beelz]
Nooooooo!
Fuck you Kage, and Fuck you Jables!
I'll get you, Tenacious D!

I'm ready for a rock off.

Ebay

Well, everyone knows that I'm in online stuff. What that means exactly is unknown to most... including me.

Well this one just tickles me. Weird Al can really do no wrong and this take on a boy band single works!

This really does make me think of the kind of stuff that you can find on eBay.

Yeah
A used ... pink bathrobe
A rare ... mint snowglobe
A Smurf ... TV tray
I bought on eBay

My house ... is filled with this crap
Shows up in bubble wrap
Most every day
What I bought on eBay

Tell me why (I need another pet rock)
Tell me why (I got that Alf alarm clock)
Tell me why (I bid on Shatner's old toupee)
They had it on eBay

I'll buy ... your knick-knack
Just check ... my feedback
"A++!" they all say
They love me on eBay

Gonna buy (a slightly-damaged golf bag)
Gonna buy (some Beanie Babies, new with tag)
(From some guy) I've never met in Norway
Found him on eBay

I am the type who is liable to snipe you
With two seconds left to go, whoa
Got Paypal or Visa, what ever'll please ya
As long as I've got the dough

I'll buy ... your tchotchkes
Sell me ... your watch, please
I'll buy (I'll buy, I'll buy, I'll buy ...)
I'm highest bidder!!

(Junk keeps arriving in the mail)
(From that worldwide garage sale) (Dukes Of Hazzard ashtray)
(Hey! A Dukes Of Hazzard ashtray)
Oh yeah ... (I bought it on eBay)

Wanna buy (a PacMan Fever lunchbox)
Wanna buy (a case of vintage tube socks)
Wanna buy (a Kleenex used by Dr. Dre)(Used by Dr. Dre)
(Found it on eBay)

Wanna buy (that Farrah Fawcet poster)
(Pez dispensers and a toaster)
(Don't know why ... the kind of stuff you'd throw away)(stuff you'd throw away)
(I'll buy on eBay)

What I bought on eBay-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y.....y..........y.

Fair enough, I found my signed picks (by Jack Black and Kyle Gass) on... eBay....

End of Me

Another link I found via Facebook recently.

Apocalyptica really rock! I mean, where else in the world would a bunch of long haired hooligans rock out on cello's other than Finland?

I just think these guys rock.

Rosaries left under the mattress of the memories who could bear the witness
As you slip into oblivion, use it like a weapon
Am I left to bleed waiting for the moment when you've had your fun
A loaded gun

Take away your broken misery, I don't want to waste your memory
This love, this love is gonna be the end of me
Everything I gave is wasted, I'm the one who suffocated
This love, this love is gonna be the end of

Can't resist poisoning the message
Just a narcissist trapped inside the wreckage
And the sympathy I had is gone deadened by the ceremony
Drama queen stand behind your empire as your kingdom falls all because

Take away your broken misery, I don't want to waste your memory
This love, this love is gonna be the end of me.
Everything I gave is wasted, I'm the one who suffocated
This love, this love is gonna be the end of ME

Your rescue, my undo
I'm not the one to save you
I'm empty completely
I’m drowning in your shadow

Take away your broken misery, I don't want to waste your memory
This love, this love is gonna be the end of me.
Everything I gave is wasted, I'm the one who suffocated
This love, this love is gonna be the end of

Cant chase away your ghost, inside it only grows
Nothing left but misery
This will be the end of me
All the shit that you created, all the scars you celebrated
Couldn’t take away the pain
Couldn’t resurrect your gain
This love will be the end of me, this love will be the end.

I just love the line: "And the sympathy I had is gone deadened by the ceremony...Drama queen stand behind your empire as your kingdom falls..."

I don't really have anything more to add.

Fly Away

The weekend begins today.

Lenny is one of my favorite rockers. Simply the man is brilliant and across so many different styles too.

This is one of the few tunes I can actually play (fair enough it's only 4 chords) but at least I've got the base line down! I'll keep rocking but until then...

I wish that I could fly... "Fly Away"

I wish that I could fly
Into the sky
So very high
Just like a dragonfly

I'd fly above the trees
Over the seas in all degrees
To anywhere I please

Oh I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah yeah yeah

Oh I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah yeah yeah

Let's go and see the stars
The Milky Way or even Mars
Where they could just be ours

Let's fade into the sun
Let your spirit fly
For we are one
Just for a little fun
Oh, oh, oh yeah !

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah yeah yeah

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah yeah yeah

I got to get away
Girl I got to get away
Oh oh oh yeah

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah with you yeah yeah
Oh Yeah !

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah with you yeah yeah
I got to get away

I want to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away
Yeah
I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah with you yeah yeah
Girl I got to get away

I want to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away
Yeah

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah with you
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Hmmm... think it's about time I did get away for a bit.

Full Circle

I'm surprised I haven't come onto this one yet. Guess I've spent an awful long time focusing on the now and nothing else. While it's often dangerous to dwell in the past it is often useful, helpful and amazingly reassuring to be able to look back and see how far you've come. Makes me think of a few folk...

Full Circle by Aerosmith ranks up there with some of the more sentimental tracks I've got. As with most songs, it's what you take that is really the important stuff. While there must be 101 meanings behind this one, I prefer to see it as a "seize the moment" kinda song.

Yeah

If I could change the world
Like a fairy tale
I would drink the love
From your holy grail

I would start with love
Tell ol' Beelzebub
To get outta town
'Cause you just lost your job

How did we get so affected
'Cause I think
Love is love reflected

Time
Don't let it slip away
Raise yo' drinkin' glass
Here's to yesterday
In Time
We're all gonna trip away
Don't piss Heaven off
We got Hell to pay
Come Full Circle

And if
There's a spell on you that
I could take away
I would do the deed
Yeah, and by the way
Here's to Heaven knows
As the circle goes
It ain't right
I'm uptight
Yeah, get off my toes!

I used to think that every little thing I did was crazy
But now I think the Karma cops are comin' after you

Time
Don't let it slip away
Raise yo' drinkin' glass
Here's to yesterday
In Time
We're all gonna trip away
Don't piss Heaven off
We got Hell to pay
Come Full Circle

Every time you get yourself caught up
Inside of someone else's crazy dream
Own it, yeah, that's a mistake
Everybody's gotta lot o' nada killing
Them instead of killing time

Time
Don't let it slip away
Raise yo' drinkin' glass
Here's to yesterday
In Time
We're all gonna trip away
Don't piss Heaven off
We got Hell to pay
Come Full Circle

Circle, circle...

Time don't let it slip away, do something today that's worth while drinking to tomorrow.

Anything Anything

This is a relatively simple track that I've been learning to play. Someday I'll be a rockstar, if only in my own little time and space. But hey, I guess I'm the one that really matters - the rest of you can just join in when you feel like it.

Anything Anything by Dramarama is a simple track that many of us can relate to. We'll offer anything for that special someone. Guess at times that's just not enough.

Okay, what is it tonight?
Please just tell me what the hell is wrong!
Do you wanna eat?
Do you wanna sleep?
Do you wanna drown?

Just settle down, settle down, settle down!

I'll give you candy, give you diamonds, give you pills
Give you anything you want
Hundred-dollar bills
I'll even let you watch the shows you wanna see
Just marry me marry me marry me!

I'm so sick of you tonight
You never stay awake when I get home
Is something wrong with me?
Is something wrong with you?
I really wish I knew, wish I knew, wish I knew!

I'll give you candy, give you diamonds, give you pills
I'll give you anything you want
hundred-dollar bills
I'll even let you watch the shows you wanna see
Because you married me married me married me!
Married me married me married me!

I was young, I learned a game
And love and happiness were the same
Now I'm older and I don't play
I found out the hardest way

I got wasted, she got mad
... Called me names and she called her dad
He got crazy and I did too
Wondered what I did to you

I gave you candy, gave you diamonds, gave you pills
I'll give you anything you want
Hundred-dollar bills!
I even let you hear the songs I want to sing
I'll give you anything anything anything
I'll give you anything anything anything
I'll give you anything anything anything ... anything anything anything...

You know, I would have.

Uninvited

Not sure why I'm stuck with this one today... Can't say I'm a big Alanis fan, but after my brother posted this on Facebook and I guess I'm just going with it.

Like anyone would be
I am flattered by your fascination with me
Like any hot-blooded woman
I have simply wanted an object to crave

But you, you're not allowed
You're uninvited
An unfortunate slight

Must be strangely exciting
To watch the stoic squirm
Must be somewhat heartening
To watch shepherd meet shepherd

But you, you're not allowed
You're uninvited
An unfortunate slight

Like any uncharted territory
I must seem greatly intriguing
You speak of my love like
You have experienced love like mine before

But this is not allowed
You're uninvited
An unfortunate slight

I don't think you unworthy
I need a moment to deliberate...

hmmm... "you speak of my love like, you have experienced love like mine before" interesting. Although I'm gonna say I'm one of a kind. :)

Morphine Child

I just love the arrangement on this one. Said it time and again Savatage are the worlds greatest band!

This one "Morphine Child" comes from Poets and Madmen the last album from the band. Haunting and yet somehow uplifting. Yeah, it can be both. The story pretty much sums everything up - a world of billions of people there has be at least one that really cares.

There's a thief on a summer's night
Across an ocean
Who sees another's life fading away

And of this life he writes
Without emotion
Then pushes it from sight
Somewhere faraway
To a distant land
Every tear betrayed
And never makes
And never makes
And never makes
And never makes a stand
Makes a stand
Lord there's something wrong
Makes a stand

Could a star's forgotten light
A child's devotion
Embrace eternal night
In shallow graves

As we watch from distant heights
No breath or motion
Still every ghost must haunt in its own way
Sleep beneath my dreams
Safe within my hands
Where i never under
Never under
Never understand

Lord there's something wrong

No one remembers
No one denies
No one asks questions
No one replies

Here nothing enters
Nothing departs
Here nothing's ended
If nothing starts

In your life could you carry on
Could you never think about it
Till in time you start to doubt it

Then you close your eyes
Is it really gone
How in truth can you defend her
If you're really not remembering

No regrets
If you just forget
If a memory is lenient
You can find it most convenient
So you let it fade
Till it's very vague
Just a silhouette of shadows
But the shadows are still lingering

Still i hold you there
With your endless stare

I'm too old to be living this
Lived to long to be given this
Can our god be forgiving this

I had a light that shined
Across my mind
Rarely see it any more

Now it is mostly dark
Accept for sparks
Can't remember what they're for

I am the morphine child
The dream defiled
The never ending metaphor
I am the wizard oz
Result and cause
Never look behind that door

Cantations
Cantations
Cantations
Cantations

Never listen to the crowd before me
Never listen to the self ordained
Never really wanted to believe it any way

Time is fading
Night is calling
I am on my way

Turn around turn around
Turn around turn around

Time is fading
Night is calling
I am on my ...

Be the one that cares, don't let the beliefs of others sway your better judgement.

Unspoken

Well the weekend is upon us once more. But, rather than go for something totally out of the ordinary I'll still to the heavier stuff today. I'll let yesterdays Part Of Your World be the lighter side of things for now.

Spent a good deal of time fiddling with my guitars (I'm so going to be a rockstar when I grow up) and had my play list going in the background. This one by Lacuna Coil seemed to really hit a personal note.

And it doesn't matter
how you feel now, anything at all
Seems to be your only way, so vicious
Heavenly apart

When your envy is on a piece of paper
Let me sweetly smile
You're devouring all the crumbs
I'm living caught up in your lies

You're on any other side

Clawing up my eyes
I'm feeling your arms around me
On the other side
It's time to go
I'm hearing your voice
without words
On the other side

But it doesn't matter
how I feel now, anything at all
Since I've left you with the wrong
impression while I'm still the same

When I turn around and look
at my life, shadows in disguise
but I'm working on
an interruption of hypocrisy

You're an any other side

Clawing up my eyes
I'm feeling your arms around me
On the other side, it's time to go
I'm hearing your voice without words
On the other side

Clawing up my eyes
I'm feeling your arms around me
On the other side, it's time to go
I'm hearing your voice without words
On the other side

Any other side
(Any other side)
Any other side
(Any other side)
Any other side
(Any other side)
Any other side
(Any other side)
Any other side
(Any other side)
Any other side

always on the other side... any other side... I guess it doesn't matter, anything at all.

Part Of Your World

I ended up watching the Little Mermaid again last night. Must be one of my all time favourite movies. As time goes by much of it changes reference and subsequently meaning. I guess that's generally how life goes.

I've never really been one for stuff. It's just the way I am. Things come, they go, but memories remain forever. The important stuff you never really do own. If someone was to ask me for my treasures, they would consist of a ring, a watch a pipe... and a few other trinkets. Total monetary value about fifty bucks, but priceless in value to me.

"Part Of Your World" to me covers most of that, in one way or another.

Look at this stuff
Isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the girl
The girl who has ev'rything?
Look at this trove
Treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Lookin' around here you'd think
Sure
She's got everything

I've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty
I've got whozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs?
I got twenty
But who cares?
No big deal
I want more

I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see
Wanna see 'em dancin'
Walkin' around on those
Whad'ya call 'em?
Oh - feet
Flippin' your fins you don't get too far
Legs are required for jumpin', dancin'
Strollin' along down a
What's that word again?
Street
Up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wanderin' free
Wish I could be
Part of that world

What would I give
If I could live
Outta these waters?
What would I pay
To spend a day
Warm on the sand?
Betcha on land
They understand
Bet they don't reprimand their daughters
Bright young women
Sick o' swimmin'
Ready to stand

And I'm ready to know what the people know
Ask 'em my questions
And get some answers
What's a fire and why does it
What's the word? Burn?

When's it my turn?
Wouldn't I love
Love to explore that shore up above?
Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of that world

I think we all feel kinda trapped from time to time. I guess we all want to be part of that world.

Everytime

Don't know why, but this one just jumped into mind.

This one from Britney (yup what can I say... it's bubblegum pop or metal for me). Things slowly fading... into the darkness of night.

Notice me
Take my hand
Why are we
Strangers when
Our love is strong
Why carry on without me?

Everytime I try to fly
I fall without my wings
I feel so small
I guess I need you baby
And everytime I see you in my dreams
I see your face, it's haunting me
I guess I need you baby

I make believe
That you are here
It's the only way
I see clear
What have I done
You seem to move on easy

And everytime I try to fly
I fall without my wings
I feel so small
I guess I need you baby
And everytime I see you in my dreams
I see your face, you're haunting me
I guess I need you baby

I may have made it rain
Please forgive me
My weakness caused you pain
And this song is my sorry

Ohhhh

At night I pray
That soon your face
Will fade away

And everytime I try to fly
I fall without my wings
I feel so small
I guess I need you baby
And everytime I see you in my dreams
I see your face, you're haunting me
I guess I need you baby

I guess we're all just waiting for our wings... It's about time to take flight.

War Pigs

Off the beaten path a little today. But still following on from yesterdays Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath theme (gotta love it when you get these stuck in your head).

I've never been a fan of war. Far too often people are fighting over a piece of land and frankly that'll never be worth dying for. I can understand having to stand up for ideals... but never stuff.

"War Pigs" by Sabbath (although pretty much always credited to Ozzy (as is most of Sabbath erroneously).

Generals gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerer of death's construction
In the fields the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds, oh lord yeah!

Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that to the poor
Yeah!

Time will tell they are power minds
Making war just for fun
Treating people just like pawns in chess
Wait 'till their judgement day comes
Yeah!

Now in darkness, world stops turning
Ashes where the bodies burning
No more war pigs have the power
Hand of God has struck the hour
Day of judgement, God is calling
On their knees, the war pigs crawling
Begging mercies for their sins
Satan laughing, spreads his wings
OH LORD YEAH

This is one time I'll agree, the Oz man always came straight with his message.

Dance of Death

Spent the weekend away on the south coast. Nice to just chill and not really do much. Did get to the local pub down there and get a few drinks in watching Germany nick the game from Uruguay. Good game to watch and good company.

Took the trip down with Janine a friend of mine that's an old school metal head. So in fine form it was Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath all the way.

This is one of Maiden's newer tracks, "Dance of Death" which I'm really quite taken with. I'm not entirely sure why, perhaps it's the whole escape from the inevitable that I find so enthralling.

Personally I think this one should be played with the strings of an orchestra rather than the electric guitar. The music is fantastically put together and flows so well that a cleaner sound might work even better.

Let me tell you a story to chill the bones
About a thing that I saw
One night wondering in the everglades
I'd one drink but no more

I was rambling, enjoying the bright moonlight
Gazing up at the stars
Not aware of a presence so near to me
Watching my every move

Feeling scared and I fell to my knees
As something rushed me from the trees
Took me to an unholy place
And that is where I fell from grace

Then they summoned me over to join in with them
To the dance of the death
Into the circle of fire I followed them
Into the middle I was led

As if time had stopped still I was numb with fear
But still I wanted to go
And the blaze of the fire did no hurt upon me
As I walked onto the coals

And I felt I was in a trance
And my spirit was lifted from me
And if only someone had the chance
To witness what happened to me

And I danced and I pranced and I sang with them
All had death in their eyes
Lifeless figures they were undead all of them
They had ascended from hell

As I danced with the dead
My free spirit was laughing and howling down at me
Below my undead body
Just danced the circle of dead

Until the time came to reunite us both
My spirit came back down to me
I didn't know if I was alive or dead
As the others all joined in with me

By luck then a skirmish started
And took the attention away from me
When they took their gaze from me
Was the moment that I fled

I ran like hell faster than the wind
But behind I did not glance
One thing that I did not dare
Was to look just straight ahead

When you know that your time has come around
You know you'll be prepared for it
Say your last goodbyes to everyone
Drink and say a prayer for it

When you're lying in your sleep, when you're lying in your bed
And you wake from your dreams to go dancing with the dead
When you're lying in your sleep, when you're lying in your bed
And you wake from your dreams to go dancing with the dead

To this day I guess I'll never know
Just why they let me go
But I'll never go dancing no more
'Till I dance with the dead

I think we've all danced with death at one time or another and somehow managed to get away. I guess we all dance from time to time.

Morning Sun

Well I'm off to the south coast this weekend. Nice to just get away for a bit. But... I'm always so very happy to get to the sea. Somehow, it doesn't matter where in the world I am, the sea is still home.

"Morning Sun" by Savatage (who else?) is yet another totally complete work of art. From the slow acoustic intro to the banging ending it really does come across like a wave rolling in and crashing onto the shore.

I've been lucky to watch the sun rise the most perfect rise in the morning sky. Somethings will last forever, that will be one of them. At times, time can truly stand still.

When you look at the morning sun
Do you see what I see
Or could I be the only one
Seeing just what I need

I envision a different man
Than the one I've become
Pray the ocean will understand
That my time isn't done

Everyone's leading
But nobody's dancing
You stand on the stage
Just to turn all alone
I have waited this way
For a lifetime of days

I can't wait for the morning sun
As I stand with the sea
And the ocean she understands
Just the man I could be

Somewhere else there's a different world
With a sun that will rise
And a moon that will take its place
In another man's eyes

And perhaps it's a better world
Than the one that I see
Or if better for no one else
Perhaps better for me

Here in the dark where the sky shows its graces
Revealing each star while the moon plays the fool
Saying how it must be while the night disagrees

I can't wait for the morning sun
As I stand with the sea
And the ocean she understands
Just the man I could be

No, no, time doesn't wait for you
No, no, leave it alone
No, no, your days are far too few
This thing I have always known

When your time is up it’s true
They never give another day to you

When your time is up it’s through
No one cares how

Can't keep it
Can't save it
Can't take it away with you
So I say we use it now

Somehow I'm pretty sure the ocean will always understand.

High Hopes

Well... The World Cup is drawing nearer to a final that promises much. It's been pretty exciting so far with big names falling by the way side and the one that has been said to be playing their poorest in ages making the final. Funny how that often works out that way.

Here's a classic from Pink Floyd that I think pretty much sums up all of the fans right about now, "High Hopes". I'm not the biggest Pink Floyd fan, and actually prefer the Nightwish live version, but either way it strikes a chord with me.

Beyond the horizon of the place we lived when we were young
In a world of magnets and miracles
Our thoughts strayed constantly and without boundary
The ringing of the division bell had begun
Along the long road and on down to the causeway
Do they still LIVE there by the cut
There was a ragged band that followed in our footsteps
Running before time took our dreams away
Leaving the myriad small creatures trying to tie us to the ground
To a life consumed by slow decay

The grass was greener
The light was brighter
With friends surrounded
The nights of wonder

Looking beyond the embers of bridges glowing behind us
To a glimpse of how green it was on the other side
Steps taken forwards but sleepwalking back again
Dragged by the force of some inner tide
At a higher altitude with flag unfurled
We reached the dizzy heights of that dreamed up world

****

Encumbered forever by desire and ambition
There's a hunger still unsatisfied
Our weary eyes still stray to the horizon
Though down this road we've been so many times

The grass was greener
The light was brighter
The taste was sweeter
The nights of wonder
With friends surrounded
The dawn mist glowing
The water flowing
The endless river

Forever and ever

The place we lived when we were young... thankfully some of us still live there and every once in a while we can all visit.

Stars

I can't help but turn my gaze up to the stars from time to time. It's amazing to think that the light from many of these started millions of years ago and it's only reaching us now. How much has changed since? Are they still there. Guess that's why to some degree people are really like stars, their light may last a lot longer and only really be seen long after they are gone.

"Stars" by Switchfoot is one of those that I came across perhaps by accident or by fate (the Force knows no coincidence, so I'm going with the latter) but I think it sums up a lot about how I feel about the world today.

Maybe I've been the problem, maybe I'm the one to blame
But even when I turn it off and blame myself, the outcome feels the same
I've been thinkin maybe I've been partly cloudy, maybe I'm the chance of rain
Maybe I'm overcast, and maybe all my lucks washed down the drain

I've been thinking 'bout everyone, everyone you look so lonely

But when I look at the stars,
when I look at the stars,
when I look at the stars I see someone else

When I look at the stars,
the stars, I feel like myself

Stars lookin at our planet watching entropy and pain
And maybe start to wonder how the chaos in our lives could pass as sane
I've been thinking bout the meaning of resistance, of a hope beyond my own
And suddenly the infinite and penitent begin to look like home

I've been thinking bout everyone, everyone you look so empty

But when I look at the stars,
when I look at the stars,
when I look at the stars I see someone else

When I look at the stars,
the stars, I feel like myself

stars, stars
everyone, everyone feels so lonely
everyone, yeah everyone feels so empty

When I look at the stars,
when I look at the stars,
when I look at the stars I feel like myself

When I look at the stars, the stars
I see someone...

People really are stars, just wish they would let their light shine a little. All the world really needs is a little more light... be the first to start.

Boulevard of Broken Dreams

I rarely sleep. It must be a medical condition, but I've been able to get by on 4 broken hours of sleep for as long as I've known. A gift... a curse... who knows.

"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" comes from the concept album (I tend to enjoy these) American Idiot by Green Day.

I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But It's home to me and I walk alone

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Till then I walk alone

Ah-ah Ah-ah Ah-ah Aaah-ah
Ah-ah Ah-ah Ah-ah

I'm walking down the line
That divides me somewhere in my mind
On the border line of the edge
And where I walk alone

Read between the lines
What's fucked up and everything's all right
Check my vital signs to know I'm still alive
And I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Till then I walk alone

Ah-Ah Ah-Ah Ah-Ah Aaah-Ah
Ah-Ah Ah-Ah

I walk alone
I walk a...

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk a...

My shadow's only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Till then I walk alone

Is life full of broken dreams, lost opportunities or does that path actually lead somewhere? I've got faith that things aren't always as they seem. I have no doubt that someone out there will find me... I guess till then I'll just keep walking.

The Pretender

How can you go wrong with the Foo Fighters? You just can't. Today's tune really asks one of those deeper questions, who are you? Are you the best you can be?

I guess for me this will always be one of those, "Take your place, you've earned it" kinda songs. For me this is a statement, I'm here because I deserve it, this is my life, my place and anyone that wants to argue on any level... well good luck to them. Because this is not pretend.

Are you "The Pretender"?

Keep you in the dark
You know they all pretend
Keep you in the dark
And so it all began

Send in your skeletons
Sing as their bones go marching in... again
The need you buried deep
The secrets that you keep are at the ready
Are you ready?

I'm finished making sense
Done pleading ignorance
That whole defense
Spinning infinity, but
The wheel is spinning me
It's never ending, never ending
Same old story

What if I say I'm not like the others?
What if I say I'm not just another one.
You're the pretender
What if I say that I'll never surrender?

What if I say I'm not like the others?
What if I say I'm not just another one.
You're the pretender
What if I say that I'll never surrender?

In time or so I'm told
I'm just another soul for sale... oh, well
The page is out of print
We are not permanent
We're temporary, temporary
Same old story

What if I say I'm not like the others?
What if I say I'm not just another one.
You're the pretender
What if I say that I'll never surrender?

What if I say I'm not like the others?
What if I say I'm not just another one.
You're the pretender
What if I say that I'll never surrender?

I'm the voice inside your head
You refuse to hear
I'm the face that you have to face
Mirrored in your stare
I'm what's left, I'm what's right
I'm the enemy
I'm the hand that will take you down
Bring you to your knees

So who are you?
Yeah, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?

Keep you in the dark
You know they all pretend

What if I say I'm not like the others?
What if I say I'm not just another.
You're the pretender
What if I say that I'll never surrender?

What if I say I'm not like the others?
What if I say I'm not just another one.
You're the pretender
What if I say that I'll never surrender?

What if I say I'm not like the others?
(Keep you in the dark)
What if I say I'm not just another one.
(You know they all... pretend)
You're the pretender
What if I say that I'll never surrender?

What if I say I'm not like the others?
(Keep you in the dark)
What if I say I'm not just another one.
(You know they all... pretend)
You're the pretender
What if I say that I'll never surrender?

So who are you?
Yeah, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?

While we all play our parts, who are you?

My Hero

At a time when the world is going mad over the world cup (I mean, who isn't?) Just a quick note to point out.

Some of the greatest hero's you'll ever come across are ordinary folk. Never forget that... When you're needing a hero there's often one a lot closer than you'd think.

"My Hero" by Foo Fighters celebrates this idea.

Too alarming now to talk about
Take your pictures down and shake it out
Truth or consequence, say it aloud
Use that evidence, race it around

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary

Don't the best of them bleed it out
While the rest of them peter out
Truth or consequence, say it aloud x2
Use that evidence, race it around

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary

kudos my hero leaving all the best
You know my hero, the one that's on

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary

Just keep watching.