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.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
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.
"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.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
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.
"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.
Monday, July 5, 2010
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.
"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?
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?
Thursday, July 1, 2010
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.
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.
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