From the 1976 album, Summertime Dream; the hit, "Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald" is the first track.
Heard this particular song on a progressive rock show on a local FM album station when I was 12 and totally had a change of heart re: Lightfoot's AM radio fodder (OK, not that bad! I liked "Sundown" and "If You Could Read My Mind"). "Race Among the Ruins" was also the 1st song I used my dad's Fisher cassette deck to tape of f the radio, followed in subsequent yrs. by taping punk music off college radio, but I digress...
What does this song mean to me? First, after I wore out my cassette overplaying this song, I broke down (during my Goth years, mind you!) and bought the album for myself in my 20s. Lyrically, to my mind, it's about someone who has a long-term mental illness describing all the highs and lows of coping with his/her own symptoms as well as viewing other MH consumers (friends, relatives, etc.) dealing with MIs in their own fashion. Ultimately,the chorus repeats, no matter how bumpy the ride or how difficult navigating life's waters, one only gets one life, so live the best life one can. One of the few but best songs I've heard that seems to honestly speak to those with and/or about the underdiscussed, underrated stigma of a mental illness.
I don't think this song is about a mental illness.
I don't think this song is about a mental illness.
To me, it's just about growing up ("when you wake up") and looking at those around you who haven't yet figured their lives out. Finding love can be hard, especially with mistakes like one night stands ("who by the magic of the moment were mysteriously undone"). Some figure it out sooner than others, and all you can do once you've figured it out is to enjoy it while you're still alive.
To me, it's just about growing up ("when you wake up") and looking at those around you who haven't yet figured their lives out. Finding love can be hard, especially with mistakes like one night stands ("who by the magic of the moment were mysteriously undone"). Some figure it out sooner than others, and all you can do once you've figured it out is to enjoy it while you're still alive.
I'm not quite sure about the jester and the clown part. Maybe how the clown...
I'm not quite sure about the jester and the clown part. Maybe how the clown becomes the jester for other clowns... dunno about that one.
From the 1976 album, Summertime Dream; the hit, "Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald" is the first track.
Heard this particular song on a progressive rock show on a local FM album station when I was 12 and totally had a change of heart re: Lightfoot's AM radio fodder (OK, not that bad! I liked "Sundown" and "If You Could Read My Mind"). "Race Among the Ruins" was also the 1st song I used my dad's Fisher cassette deck to tape of f the radio, followed in subsequent yrs. by taping punk music off college radio, but I digress... What does this song mean to me? First, after I wore out my cassette overplaying this song, I broke down (during my Goth years, mind you!) and bought the album for myself in my 20s. Lyrically, to my mind, it's about someone who has a long-term mental illness describing all the highs and lows of coping with his/her own symptoms as well as viewing other MH consumers (friends, relatives, etc.) dealing with MIs in their own fashion. Ultimately,the chorus repeats, no matter how bumpy the ride or how difficult navigating life's waters, one only gets one life, so live the best life one can. One of the few but best songs I've heard that seems to honestly speak to those with and/or about the underdiscussed, underrated stigma of a mental illness.
I don't think this song is about a mental illness.
I don't think this song is about a mental illness.
To me, it's just about growing up ("when you wake up") and looking at those around you who haven't yet figured their lives out. Finding love can be hard, especially with mistakes like one night stands ("who by the magic of the moment were mysteriously undone"). Some figure it out sooner than others, and all you can do once you've figured it out is to enjoy it while you're still alive.
To me, it's just about growing up ("when you wake up") and looking at those around you who haven't yet figured their lives out. Finding love can be hard, especially with mistakes like one night stands ("who by the magic of the moment were mysteriously undone"). Some figure it out sooner than others, and all you can do once you've figured it out is to enjoy it while you're still alive.
I'm not quite sure about the jester and the clown part. Maybe how the clown...
I'm not quite sure about the jester and the clown part. Maybe how the clown becomes the jester for other clowns... dunno about that one.