Episode summary introduction:

Join TC & Maddog as they discuss the profound significance of music and lyrics in navigating the complexities of human existence. The episode delves into the necessity for occasional guidance, as we explore how music serves not merely as entertainment but as a vital medium for reflection and personal growth. In particular, we will examine the lyrical content of select songs, elucidating how they resonate with our emotions and experiences, thereby enriching our lives. Join us as we embark on this auditory journey, seeking to uncover the deeper meanings that music imparts upon our daily lives.

Topics discussed in this episode:

This episode is a thoughtful examination of the interplay between music and its lyrical significance, as the speakers embark on a reflective journey through their personal histories with songs that have left an indelible mark on their lives. They posit that music serves not only as a backdrop for our experiences but also as a profound catalyst for emotional connection and introspection. The speakers articulate their realizations about lyrics, acknowledging that while melodies may captivate our attention, it is the words that often convey deeper meanings and resonate with our lived experiences. This exploration is interwoven with personal anecdotes, illustrating how certain songs have encapsulated pivotal moments in their lives, thereby underscoring the universality of music as a shared human experience.

Throughout the episode, listeners are invited to consider the songs that have shaped their lives, with particular emphasis placed on the emotional weight carried by specific lyrics. The speakers share their reflections on iconic songs, discussing how these pieces of art evoke memories and emotions that may not be readily articulated. By dissecting the lyrical content, they reveal the multifaceted layers of meaning embedded within the music, urging the audience to engage with these works on a deeper level. This exploration fosters an appreciation for the artistry involved in songwriting, highlighting the profound impact that lyrics can have on shaping our perceptions and emotional responses.

Ultimately, the episode serves as an invitation for listeners to embark on their own 'Electronic Walkabout,' encouraging them to reflect upon the music in their lives and the narratives that accompany it. The speakers emphasize the importance of recognizing the emotional resonance of lyrics, advocating for a mindful engagement with music that transcends mere entertainment and fosters a deeper connection to our shared human experience. Through their thoughtful discourse, they inspire listeners to revisit the songs that hold meaning for them, thereby enriching their understanding of both the music and themselves.

Walkabout takeaways:

• Music serves as a critical component of our lives, providing direction and emotional resonance.
• Engaging with song lyrics enables us to glean profound insights and reflections on our own experiences.
• The lyrics of certain songs resonate universally, evoking emotions that transcend generational boundaries.
• There exists a profound significance in revisiting the memories associated with specific songs throughout one's life.

More about E-Walkabout:

To learn more about Electronic Walkabout visit us at www.ewalkabout.ca.

If you want to read more “Thoughts of the Day” check out TC’s Book at Amazon:

“St. Mike's Fortunes”

A special thanks to Steven Kelly, our technical advisor, who keeps trying to teach these old dogs new tricks when it comes to sounds and recording!!

“Remember to take advantage of the moment before the moment takes advantage of you!”

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Metallica
• Johnny Reed
• Alan Jackson
• Kenny Loggins
• Richard Marx
• Fleetwood Mac
• The Chicks
• John Lennon

Electronic Walkabout no one should have to walk through life alone. We share the good times, the bad times, and the best times. Everyone needs a little direction now and again. And TC and Mad Dog are here. To show you the way. A podcast where we talk about the important things in life. Come journey with us. The Electronic Walkabout.

Well, Maddog, the days are getting nice in the Valley every day, and hope you had a great weekend. Today we're going to focus on music during our journey.

I recall from a previous podcast that you had mentioned that you didn't realize the importance of lyrics right away, Am I right?

That is correct. That is 100% correct.

I am one of those guys that has his idea in his head what the lyrics are, and usually it's different than what they actually are.

Well, we're gonna pick out a couple of songs and I'm gonna kind of focus on one that I just kind of came across last week, and I'll explain the background with that, but probably two or three songs.

And I started looking on the Internet, saying to myself, wow, are there songs out there, lyrics that are basically cross generational and of course there are. And if we were to go down that road, this podcast episode would probably literally last hours, if not days.

So we're going to keep it short and sweet, but to the point. And it's. It's really. When did you first start listening to music and when did you realize there was actually lyrics that came along with the music?

And. Well, like I said, we'll touch on a couple of songs. You might even call them iconic from a lyric perspective.

Join us during this episode as we enjoy some of these songs and the lyrics that help us live our lives a little bit fuller each day. But first is always a thought for the day. Finding the soundtrack to our lives is only part of the challenge.

The piece, the resistance, appreciating the lyrics,.

Which I'm learning to do in my old age.

When did you first start listening to songs, do you think? Give or take, because they've been around forever, one fashion or another.

Yeah, up. I don't know. I think it was back in the 80s, like during the. Those metal days, like that was.

I really enjoyed 80s metal and, you know, the generic kind, not the two hard. But they. They did tell a story.

And, you know, Metallica's one tells us a very, very detailed story about somebody going to war and then, you know, being affected by it and. And all that sort of stuff. So that would.

I think that was probably the first poignant one because it was a slower song and it was almost like, you know, talking as the music was going so you could follow the story. But, yeah, that is a confession that I have never been a big lyric follower.

And do you happen to recall the artist and what the name of the song is, by any chance?

So it's Metallica one.

Okay.

Yeah.

Because you. You think about it and. And I'm.

Because it's happened to me a couple times where I'm listening to a song and I'm listening to the lyrics, but I don't really understand what I'm listening to right away. And then when it hits home, you're going, oh, my God, that's. That. That really hits me between the. I'll say the crosshairs.

And it really makes me think about things.

My wife quite enjoys pointing out what songs actually mean. It's a learning experience every time because to your point, you just, you know the words, but maybe you don't pay attention to their meaning.

So when you do actually take a step back, that some of them are pretty impactful.

And.

And, you know, I was always of the opinion, and I'm totally wrong now I have to change my opinion that the lyrics, and they still do to a degree, but the lyrics will mean different things to different people. There's no question about that. But there are some pointed songs, and we'll share one today, that it's not the case.

You know exactly what the song is about it. And I'll mention it again, but like a number of these songs are no more than emotional triggers that catch us off guard when we least expect it.

They mean different things to different people. And you pick out what, excuse me, application it has in your life.

Is there any one song that. That really jumps out at you that kind of fills. Fills that bill.

We discussed this in a previous episode. It's. It's called Dedicated to you. And it was Johnny Reed. And that.

That song, of all songs, that one really kind of hit the heart pretty hard because it was a fairly poignant summary of how I feel about my wife. So I think that was probably the biggest one that's had an impact on me.

So you probably carry that one in your back pocket and every now and then share it with your wife.

I'm thinking, yeah, or if I'm in the feels, I'll listen to it. And just a gentle reminder as to how deep feelings go.

Yes, yes. And I have a similar song that came to mind when I was born, Putting the plan together.

And it's It's a country song by Alan Jackson, and it's called Remember When. I don't know if you're familiar with it or not, but any.

Any couple that listens to that song, all it does, as far as I'm concerned, triggered that relationship. How it began, how children came into their lives, and they're basically sitting back and. And reminiscing in a very nice way. And it's.

It's really touching.

I think you have to, because, you know, time goes by so fast and, you know, when you actually sit back and then look at the past and realize, you know, whether you've been through a lot with, you know, family, friends, spouse, whatever. But it does. I think some of those lyrics make you intentionally or unintentionally reflect on where you're at and what you've been through.

I recall when we did the episode on my book Esprit de Corps and talked about the different lyrics and that. That one song by Kansas, the Wayward sun, that there will be when you're done, and literally that song hit me between I'll say the crosshairs again.

As I was going to the hospital, my dad had literally hours to live. And that one just kind of resonates with me every time I hear. I just think of that. That trip to the hospital, for sure.

It's still. I'm sure hits you just as hard now.

I don't know. It's. If you were to, again, as I mentioned in the introduction, come up with your own soundtrack.

And don't get me wrong, because it's great just listening to music and not having a care in the world and not being so serious about what the lyrics are saying. But now and again, it's a good idea. Just allow them to come in and I'll just say tickle your emotions and.

You don't kind of realize the impact it has now. We used to own a cabin in the middle of B.C. And I had a very specific playlist.

It was country songs that, you know, we listened to because they were just appropriate given the terrain we were driving.

But now when the boys hear that, those songs, they're like, oh, hey, cabin songs like it plants that seed as to where they were when they first heard it or heard it over and over and over. And it's a memory.

That's a nice memory for sure. There's no question about it. I mean, you talk about the obvious songs that.

That people remember for forever in a day, and that's your first dance, wedding song, those kinds of things.

If you had married multiple times, you try and forget one and remember the other.

And it's funny because we didn't, we didn't really have Janette and I a wedding song because we eloped.

Okay.

We snuck away. And the only person in the family that was there was Josh. And I believe he was like 4 years old at that.

Wow.

So John Lennon, iconic not only for the Beatles, but his, his solo career and I think about the Double Fantasy album in the 80s and specifically the song Imagine.

Can you think about reading those lyrics today with, with the, I'll say, political climate, what's going on in the world, and just take two steps back and, and, and think about what that means.

Makes you think we're missing the mark as a society.

So I'm just going to actually share some of the lyrics from that song.

You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us and their world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can no need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people sharing all.

The world and to your point, those lyrics will never be. Not applicable.

Doesn't matter what the, the social climate is, the political climate, that definitely speaks to a greater cause and greater feeling and to really focus on what's important really.

But, but the funny thing about it, and I think there's a bit of a human nature that kind of, kind of kind of sneaks in here, first of all, it's that maybe, maybe I'll call it the mob mentality, where it's the whole world and it's, it's not a big deal, we're just going to look after our own country. But quite frankly, I've never seen it, at least in my lifetime, where what's going on across the world is really affecting my day to day life.

And it's, it's, it's not a happy place to be.

No, it's not.

And having recently moved to the U.S. you know, you don't really know what people see on a daily basis from the public, you know, general media and stuff like that. But I was in a doctor's office the other day and the doctor said to me, like straight up, he's like, so you guys hate us, eh? I was like, what?

He goes, well, yeah, that's what the media would have you believe. And I'm like, no, not at all. Like there's.

Yeah, so it is, it is interesting where, you know, people's mindsets can kind of either get put in a certain place by information, but, you know, to counteract that. I think songs like this are. Are important during times of. Of chaos and mayhem.

Even. Even if you just kind of read those lyrics and say, okay, what does that mean in the big scheme of things? It's. It doesn't take you far to get there.

No, it really doesn't.

Yeah.

And I think that's why, too, a lot of songs get covered because to your point, they have generationality where it doesn't matter what era it is, the words have an impact and usually in a positive way.

You were familiar with Fleetwood Mac's Landslide as sung by Stevie Nicks?

Yes. I don't know the lyrics, but I'm familiar with this song.

Okay, well, I'm going to share that, But. But I will tell you this. The Chicks did a fantastic cover of this song as well.

Yeah.

Is a reflective, vulnerable ballad about navigating uncertainty in her career, her relationship with Lindsey Buckingham, and her fear of change.

That sums up a lot of people every year.

Yeah, for sure it does. I mean, if you. If you don't accept change in your life because it's going to happen whether you like it or not, it's. It's. And we don't like change.

There's no question about it. But if you can imagine you're transitioning from one relationship to another.

When I say a relationship, not just like, okay, we've been together two weeks. We're talking about years in a relationship where we're. Basically. You're sharing a chunk of your life with a person and they're.

They're no longer there. And so all of a sudden you're. You're asking yourself, can I. Can I sail through the. The change changes in my life. And it's.

It's not an easy question to ask of yourself, but a harder question to answer. For sure. So I'm going to actually just share the lyrics on this one, too. And it's. Oh, mirror in the sky what is love?

Can the child within my heart rise above? Can I sail through the changing ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life again?

That could be now or the 50s or the 60s.

Yeah, for sure. For sure. And anybody that's. I'd say, going through a major change in their life, that it's. It's going to kind of resonate with them.

Now, to the song that I. That I came across the other day. And as a result of listening to this, I'm going to have to wear my heart on my sleeve a little bit.

And you know how good I am with my emotions.

Comfortable with that.

Yeah.

You're getting better.

Oh, I'm getting better. There's. There's no question about it. And I'll start with a couple of questions just to get things going, but do you know who Kenny Loggins is?

Yes. The Footloose.

The Footloose. Okay. So he's. He's the one that. That sings this song. He co wrote it with Richard Marx. And I don't know if you're familiar with Richard Marks or not.

These are classic 80s tunes.

So, yeah, he's from the 80s, and I didn't realize it, but he scored a total of 14 number one singles, both as a performer and songwriter. Producer include Hazard, Right Here, Waiting, hold on to the Knights, Endless Summer Nights, and Satisfied.

And he holds the distinction of having written songs that have hit number one on various Billboard charts in each of the last four decades.

Didn't know that. Very interesting.

So he popped up in, I'll say, Los Angeles, and Kenny Loggins was already a star as a result of Footloose. And of course, Kenny asked Richard to listen to it, and they didn't think it was a hit.

There was another song that they would have, you know, money on as being a hit. So it's kind of crazy in that sense. And then, of course, let's not forget Top Gun, because you. You hear that song all the time.

They just announced The Top Gun 3 is in the works.

Are you serious?

Yeah, yeah, I just saw it yesterday. So.

So what happens is, is that. And I invite everybody to. To go ahead and look at some of these. Richard Marx is. Is. You can find him on YouTube, and he's created this.

This series, and it's called Stories to Tell. And he actually has guests on. And. And it's. It's not more. It's not like an interview. They share stories and there's musical artists, actors.

And when I came across this one, it really hit home because they came up with this song and Kenny was over Richard's place and they decided they were going to collaborate. And Richard gets up and he's, I'll say, tickling the ivory keys. And Kenny walks in and said, oh, I love that. What is that?

And then, of course, the lyrics fall into place and the song is called the One that Got Away, and it's about Logan's relationship with his son. Or I should. I should say a strange relationship with his son. And it's, it's one of those things where, where Kenny Loggins had split with his wife.

And it's. And it's a difficult place to be if you were, let's say, a child in those types of relationships, especially in.

Those days, wasn't really. Divorce wasn't really accepted, you know.

No, no, no. He. He just said to Richard, though. But, but there.

There's only one caveat or condition here, that if we're going to play this song, I have to get permission from my son. So he did. He approached his son and then I'll just say in a nice kind of way, his son actually started helping out with his touring.

I think it's a roadie or something like that. And he would, he would share that song with the audience. And then finally his son came up to him and said, dad, you're the one that got away.

So there was a nice happy ending to that. And what it did. Did for me is I'm listening to the song.

For a chunk of their lives, and. And they just decide, no, I don't want you part of my life. That's not an easy thing to take.

And, and getting back to the lyrics, if you were to listen to the lyrics of the song, it. It's something that, that truly tugs at the heartstrings and, and really, you don't have to say anything. You. You just have to get that.

That person in your life to listen to that song because the message is clear and, and truly, some of the, some of the lyrics focus on the fact that, you know, I miss you every day, I love you, and I. I truly would love to see you back in my life. But.

And it is probably easier hearing it from a song versus the person, right, because they could actually just sit and take the lyrics in and, you know, listen to it that way, as opposed to, you know, possibly speaking directly to them. So. So it's an interesting way to bridge that and get the point across.

And it's funny just to kind of switch gears a little bit. You'll hear and you'll see it on Instagram, where you can actually get a song made that talks about, let's say, you and your wife's relationship.

And the way they kind of sell it is that the couple are in the vehicle together and the radio comes on, the song plays, and all of a sudden it, it hits home to one or the other, hey, this song's about us.

It's almost like he forgot the anniversary or whatever and surprised her in the car.

So, I mean, and like I said when we first started this episode, we can go on and talk about these lyrics and what they mean to people on and on, because again, no different than Richard Mark saying stories to tell. There's going to be a story that, that, that people can relate to.

And I'm just wondering, is there any one song that kind of popped into your mind that might fall into that?

I guess I would have to listen to the lyrics a little bit.

Mad Dog will just have homework for you, but I will, I will tell you this. I just think it is crazy the power that lyrics have over our emotions.

But unfortunately, that music is telling us that this episode has come to an end. So the next time, and not just the listeners, but YouTube. Mad Dog, you're sitting in the car at a coffee shop or just enjoying music.

Take some time to reflect on the lyrics and see where they take you. Do that.

I will do my homework.

You have a habit of tugging on our emotions. Treat these as gifts and they keep on giving and you can listen to them over and over again.

Gift that keeps on giving.

Yes. Remember to take advantage of the moment before the moment takes advantage of you. To learn more about E Walkabout, please Visit us at ewalkabout.ca.