29 October 2008

Words for Wednesday

Yesterday Emily started a new regular blog entry she has titled "Favorite Song Lyrics Monday" and she welcomed others to take the idea so I am doing just that.

My day will be Wednesdays and I am kicking it off with my current favorite song "Free Life" by Dan Wilson. I discovered this song while listening to The Spectrum on Sirius satellite radio (also known as '"crack radio'). I remember the first time I heard it. Rob, Zoe and I were on our way to Springfield, MA to see the Dr. Seuss museum on a gorgeous, sunny spring day. Zoe had fallen asleep in the back seat and Rob and I were enjoying the music and chatting. When this song came on we both stopped talking to listen and I even wrote down the title and artist so I could remember it for later.

The lyrics are simple yet moving and evocative. I want to "fall in love again." I want some more "empty afternoons." And most of all I want the answers to some of the questions. The music, mostly guitars, starts out soft and slow and it builds throughout the song as the chorus hits home more and more. So, now, without further delay, here are the lyrics:

Free Life
by Dan Wilson

Let's take a little trip down where we used to go
It's way beyond the strip, a place they call your soul
We'll sit down for a while and let the evening roll
Don't worry about the time, we'll find a place to stay
The people down here seem familiar in some way
Look kind of like we did before we got so cold

In the air the questions hang
Will we get to do something?
Who we gonna end up being?
How we gonna end up feeling?
What you gonna spend your free life on?
Free life.

Let's fall in love again with music as our guide
We'll raise our ready hands and let go for the ride
Down into unknown lands where lovers need and hide
We got these lives for free, don't know where they've been
Don't know where they'll go when we are through with them
Starlight of the sun, dark side of the moon

In the air the questions hang
Will we get to do something?
Who we gonna end up being?
How we gonna end up feeling?
What you gonna spend your free life on?
Free life.

It seems so long ago, those empty afternoon
With nowhere much to go and nothing much to do
Just sit up in my room and let the world unfold

In the air the questions hang
Will we get to do something?
Who we gonna end up being?
How we gonna end up feeling?
What you gonna spend your free life on?
Free life.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness for YouTube - I got to listen to the song and read the words! Very cool idea. I like Words for Wednesday.

tracie valentino said...

I LOVE this song!

And completely agree about the "crack" radio. I get into Mattio's car--which I'm sure you know is not equipped with the crack radio--and I'm like, "What's with all these announcers and stuff? Where's the music? Wait, what--is this a COMMERCIAL??!"

It's traumatizing.

PS. Spectrum has been featuring some really great artists lately. I'm loving most of the new stuff they're playing.

Emily Barton said...

Thanks for playing the game, and what I fabulous song! I hadn't heard of it till now.

ZoesMom said...

Sara -- you should play along too! It is fun. Next time I will post a link to the actual song to make it easier.

Tracie -- I can't stand regular radio anymore. I think I'd prefer silence to commercials. Yes, Spectrum is my favorite. I've made some great discoveries from that station.

Emily -- You had a great idea! Glad you liked the song too.