| Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – In This Life Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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In me previous post I described the song from the perspective of the composers, Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin, as a love song to Jesus. You don't need to be Christian to enjoy the song. Many of the cover artists might not be Christian. I like IZ's rendition the best by far. How did he interpret it. Here is an excerpt from his introduction to the song on his CD "IZ in Concert" (2000), track #13 titled "n Dis Life," on the tail end of the preceding track: "... for those of you who have spouses, you know, everyone [sic] wife is incredible. I hope having a husband is even better. But you know, eh, living through life, you know, with each other, is awesome. But living life with God is more awesome. With this song I dedicate to our Father God through His Son Jesus Christ, is why I'm here today. I just wanted for let you guys know that...." |
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| Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Wooden Ships Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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I was surprised with the idea by ripfripp on 11/30/2007 that it was two soldiers from the Civil War. I always imagined the same scene! Wooden ships during the time when ironclad ships were being experimented with (remember the Monitor and the Merrimack at the Battle of Hampton Roads?). See by your coat... (blues and grays). Purple berries... though I gotta laugh at those who correct the lyrics to "purple barrels." James48843, please send me a new insert for my 1969 vinyl, which insert seems to have the typo "purple berries." Those stupid stoners at Atlantic Records can't get anything right! Anyway, I was sadly dismayed to read a Crosby/Stills quote in the 4-CD boxed set that the song is about an alien invasion, as some have pointed out here. Aliens! Oh, for Pete's sake. Now, come on. Either the CD executives have made another screw-up, or Crosby/Stills are intentionally obfuscating the meaing (as some have purported here), or I have to suck it up and admit that the Civil War imagery is of my own imagination. But at least I'm not alone. And so Civil War it will continue to be. Hey... It's MY imagination. |
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| Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – In This Life Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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Awesome song. IZ's rendition is my favorite of many. His vocals are phenomenal. But it is not his song. It was composed by Mike Reid (the "American Football" one on Wikipedia) and Allen Shamblin, 1992, Almo Music Corp., Brio Blues Music, Allen Shamblin Music, and BMG Songs, Inc. It was covered by Collin Raye (1992), 4 PM "For Positive Music" (1995), Kirk Whalum (1995), Bette Midler (1995), IZ (1996), Ronan Keating (2000), and probably more, as my search was not exhaustive. So what did Reid and Shamblin mean in the lyrics? Much of their catalog is country and Christian. This song reflects a Christian view. Christians understand "an emptiness in me, imprisoned by the power of gold, one kind touch you set me free, you were the treasure, I would be lost, I won't live forever (these posted lyrics erroneously say "will live forever"), but forever I'll be loving you," and most significantly, "I was loved by you." It's a gorgeous song if taken simply as a human love song. We who love IZ can easily appreciate how he makes it his own. What a showcase for his vocals! And let's not overlook the superb musical performance. Did you notice the absence of ukulele on both studio album renditions (Alone in IZ World and N Dis Life)? Still - It's a worship song when sung by Christians to Jesus. Follow my footsteps: The Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Songbook Collection (2005, Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.), allmusic.com, oldies.com, http://new.music.yahoo.com, and Amazon.com. My best keywords were "In This Life," Mike Reid, Allen Shamblin, and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. |
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