This song but not really this song. Bossy’s favorite thing is really about the transformative nature of songs.
When Bossy was on her 35-day Excellent Road Trip last spring, many people provided Bossy with music CDs since she spent an average of seven hours a day driving by her lonely lone self. Alone.
This song, Straight Lines by Silverchair, was situated on one of those CDs, handed to Bossy in Dallas Texas. Honestly it’s a song Bossy might normally hurry over on her way to something funky, clunky, or spunky, but see previous paragraph about seven hours a day alone in the car, and maybe you’ll understand why Bossy took the time to listen all the way through the song she thought was too serious and rock anthemy for her.
Bossy’s not sure what in whoey this nice young boy is singing about, a hole in his lung and stuff, good will inside of him and stuff, but then suddenly an unexpected weepy cord progression that sits on top of the time signature and provides the necessary twist to suck Bossy right in.
And then the song gets a little bigger in a Don Henley Boys of Summer way, and before you know it the chorus and bridge feel sweeping, and so does Bossy as she traverses long empty landscapes while the sun emerges from behind distant mountains.
This song that may have meant nothing in a different time and place became one that Bossy listened to over and over again, as it delivered her to that sad and contemplative state Bossy sometimes likes to dwell, and it propelled her Saturns forward.
When Bossy arrived home, she was eager to turn her family and friends on to this Road Trip song and others but you know what? No one felt it the same way. And that’s fine, because Bossy’s family and friends have transformative songs of their own.
And that’s the power of music.
Tracy says
February 18, 2009 at 12:19 pmSounds like good music to travel by!
Daddy Scratches says
February 18, 2009 at 12:22 pmHoly smoke. Where did I hear this before? I can’t remember, and that will drive me nuts all day. Thanks, Bossy.
I do remember that, whenever the bloody hell it was that I heard it, I had no idea it was by Silverchair, which Bossy may or may not know is an Australian band that, 13 years ago, sounded all hard-rock/grunge-y, and nothing like they apparently now sound.
Where the hell did I hear this before …? Grrrr … it’s like having a splinter in your brain that you can’t remove …
Lesley says
February 18, 2009 at 12:27 pmHonestly? My car is my very favorite stereo. Music ALWAYS sounds better in the car than anywhere else. (To me, anyway.) And I certainly do understand the sad and contemplative state. I have such a mode myself.
Florida Liz says
February 18, 2009 at 12:39 pmI hear ya. Music is the 8th wonder of the world. No 2 people hear a song the same. True of all art forms I guess, but there’s no better feeling as when a song or part of a song grabs you, takes you somewhere and creates the sensory package that stays with you forever.
steph says
February 18, 2009 at 1:25 pmI haven’t listened to them since Frogstomp came out when I was in high school. I’ll have to check it out 🙂
Debby says
February 18, 2009 at 1:29 pmHave you heard the Wicked soundtrack? Defying Gravity is all that. For me at least.
colleen says
February 18, 2009 at 1:42 pmawesome awesome song.
totally perfect for a road trip
Lela says
February 18, 2009 at 1:49 pmThis song doesn’t work in the house….it MUST be listened to in the car.
‘Tis also good when you drop the kid off at preschool and you need a “woo hoo… I have 3 hours to myself!” song.
The Great Getzby says
February 18, 2009 at 1:58 pmIt’s funny how some songs, in some environments, in some moods, with a certain background light, just FIT.
Yarn Hacker K says
February 18, 2009 at 2:25 pmI LOVE this song. It never got the airplay I thought it deserved but it is in several of my iPod playlists. I have very strong memories associated with it – very good memories.
Daddy Scratches says
February 18, 2009 at 2:42 pmIf I may further clog things up …
I am listening to this song for about the sixth time in a row now. Positively killer chorus. Who knew Daniel Johns could sing like this? “Not I,” said Daddy.
I’m hooked. Goosebumps.
reen says
February 18, 2009 at 2:47 pmWow, MUCH different than the Silverchair I used to listen to!! But if I pretend this is a whole different group, I really like it. Definitely driving-off-into-the-sunset material! Thanks, Bossy!
Sara S says
February 18, 2009 at 4:05 pmLove. It.
Kelly at The Glass Dragonfly says
February 18, 2009 at 4:22 pmI love that about music! We all feel it differently, with our own current life situations to add to the experience.
Diane G says
February 18, 2009 at 4:47 pmOh, Bossy, you got my hopes up that this post would tell about the cool tune you put to your awesome road trip video. That’s what I was hopin’ anyway. So, couldjaplease?
However, I also enjoyed the Silverchair song. Thanks!
Caroline Wright says
February 18, 2009 at 4:48 pmThat is a great tune, and you’ve turned me on to some good music… thanks, Bossy!
The photo of you in one of your Saturns is just gorgeous!
Lise says
February 18, 2009 at 5:36 pmThis was my very favorite band i high school, so much so that my mother flew took me over 700 miles from home to see them at their last concert before they stopped touring for YEARS. Truly, that was the last time my mother and i really bonded and she has since passed away, so this band is still very special to me. thanks for posting it!
So Not Mom-a-licious says
February 18, 2009 at 11:38 pmYeah, yeah, music, listen…. What I want to know is – were you driving 80 MPH AND taling a picture of the road in front of you?! You have skills if you would have been talking on the cell phone at the same time too!
Michele says
February 19, 2009 at 12:28 amI agree with Debby about Defying Gravity. After listening, I can do anything!
jandondi says
February 19, 2009 at 11:35 amThat IS the power of music and of PLACE and TIME.
Although I’m a jazz head, I was swept away by country music while racking up thousands of miles on the road in nomansland.
But to be fair, I am constantly swept away by ALL kinds of music in all kinds of situations…Music…man’s salvation.
jandondi says
February 19, 2009 at 11:43 amAnd may I add…
There ain’t nothing like being alone on the road.
My drug of choice.
Emily says
February 19, 2009 at 2:51 pmWhoa! Things have changed in Silverchairland since Neon Ballroom. I was expecting rock anthem grunge but got something completely different. Good different – just unexpected.
Daddy Scratches says
February 20, 2009 at 6:32 pmBossy might like to know that Daddy has been listening to this song practically non-stop for two days now … to include having it playing on an involuntary and imaginary loop in his head every waking moment.
But I still like it.
Unemployed Susan says
February 21, 2009 at 12:52 pmRock on long white sister.