As I mentioned, in a previous post I had to travel to Allentown PA area. I downloaded a bunch of podcasts to listen to for my 6-8 hours of travel. However, as I got started I kept running into construction areas and had to pay attention to lane shifts. Plus, being aware of the other drivers. I just could not hold my attention to listening to the discussions in the podcasts. So I just turned on the radio and just “channel surfed” until I found something to listen to.
This post is about my thoughts brought on by songs I heard or came to mind during my travel. Think of it as the blueprint for a mixed tape.
“Flirting with Disaster” – Molly Hatchet
I have to travel for the most part by myself. It would be nice to have a travel buddy. But being into things that most people will never take time to at least attempt to understand makes finding such a person a bit tough. Also when people do not try to understand they only see the ‘unknown” as a recipe that can only result in “disaster”.
“Ramble On” – Led Zeppelin
Yep. This song was played right after the first song. I guess sometimes you have to go seeking the source of the “calling”.
“Thanksgiving” – Stephen Kellogg
This was the totally unexpected find. I was able to tune in an Alternative radio station out of Rochester NY. There was the line that caught me off guard. “And my friends they traded me in”. It is hard for me not to notice that when it comes to friends things have “shifted and drifted”. The odds of them returning back are not likely going to be a checkmark in the “favorable” column. I think it may have been comedian Marc Maron who said, “You remember the innocent that formed the friendship”. And you may remember that “lightning in the bottle” moment of it too. The reality is the “chemical equation” in the bottle eventually burns down and out. In Charlie Hoehn’s piece he talks about the need to remove “anchors”. It is hard when it involves “scenarios”. Even harder when it involves “people”.
“Here I Go Again” – Whitesnake.
I am not sure if 80’s hard rock and metal bands should be praised or condemned for the power ballad. Every album, at the time seemed to have a mandate to have one on it. However, I think this one may deserve a pass, musically and lyrically speaking. But the video that helped make the song popular should be condemned as being basically being “bloated”.
“Green Grass and Hide Tides” – The Outlaws
This song came on the radio with a bit of irony for me. Interstate 81 from Cortland to Binghamton was full of Troopers running a speed trap. There should be a code tag for Twitter called #BaconAndPork to alert drivers. Plus I needed to take a rest break to stretch the legs for a bit. As I pulled off the Troopers were also pulling Big Rigs off there for Inspection. This song came on the radio. Ironically, by a band called The Outlaws given who surrounded me at the moment. The other irony is Spring after almost a month really had yet to show any signs. For a song about “green grass” all I could see gray grounds and bare trees.
Also I would have loved to seen a Trans Am and a Big Rig going “Bandit-style” down the highway at that moment.
“On the Road Again” –Bob Segar/Metallica
Caught this song around Binghamton. Yet I am going with the Metallica cover. Metallica, band with such a fan base that those who love them go “above and beyond” and those who hate them do the same. Ironically, both sides tend to be the same person all in one.
“Little Lion Man” – Mumford and Sons/Tonto’s Giant Nuts
Again going with the cover version featuring Johnny Depp. It can be heard on the “West of Memphis” soundtrack. Traveling alone gives me a lot more time to spend in my head. This song is about how strength and flaw both exist at the same time in a person. And the struggle to find the “State of Grace” between the two.
I have to do this trip every five years. Sparing the details. I realize where on am I on the “curve” is not that close to where I expected to be on it. Eye opening and a bit heartbreaking.
Astronomy – Blue Oyster Cult
Blue Oyster Cult never seems to get their recognition outside of the song “Don’t Fear the Reaper”.
One of the downsides of urban living is the inability to be able to sit by campfire and see all the stars in the night sky.
I always wondered how the Greeks and Romans of ancient times got the people to accept how they layout and named the Constellations. And they did without selling the “naming rights”. (The annoying part of capitalism)
Robert Plant – Ship of Fools
After some thought, I decided to withhold comments on this one.
Pearl Jam – Given to Fly
Sometimes you come to “Revelations” you cannot share. There are some things you need just hold on for yourself.
“King of Birds” – R.E.M.
This song for me is the “hidden treasure” on their Document album. It is about being resilient in regards to time.
“I must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s;
I will not reason and compare: my business is to create”
William Blake
“Fall Seven Times, Stand Up Eight” – Japanese Proverb
“There is a Wind” – The Album Leaf
I cannot remember when and where I discovered this song a couple of years ago. It is on their Chorus of Storytellers album. An album I will play when I need to tune out the various “noises” and meditate from time to time.
“I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life
As much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.”
“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned
So as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
“Long May You Run” – Neil Young
I don’t know how you can travel any distance and not include a song from him. And seems like a good way to end this playlist.
BONUS TRACK
As I was assembling my notes for this and on my home from work I heard this on the radio. It seemed for some reason to fit here for me. Think of it as the post credits bonus scene.
“I Wanna Get Better”- The Bleachers
I think the real struggle now is getting people to just simply “Listen”.
Social media has made too easy to just “Shout!”
Extra: Road Trip Travel Tips
Google Maps is all right. But if you have to find a place that is on back dirt roads be warned Google Maps has a slight touch of the “LSD” when it comes to them.
Plus the directions lack visual clues and hints that would be helpful. Example: You will pass THREE Lake Streets before you hit the one you want.
It is also dangerous to write notes and drive at the same time.
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