Fastball — The Way
Album: All The Pain Money Can BuyAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2146
Length: 4:12
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They made up their minds and they started packing
They left before the sun came up that day
An exit to eternal summer slacking
But where were they going without ever knowing the way
They drank up the wine and they got to talking
They now had more important things to say
And when the car broke down, they started walking
Where were they going without ever knowing the way
Anyone can see the road that they walk on is paved in gold
And it's always summer, they'll never get cold
They'll never get hungry, they'll never get old and gray
You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere
They won't make it home, but they really don't care
They wanted the highway, they're happier there today, today
Their children woke up and they couldn't find 'em
They left before the sun came up that day
They just drove off and left it all behind 'em (leaving it all behind)
Where were they going without ever knowing the way?
Anyone can see the road that they walk on is paved in gold
And it's always summer, they'll never get cold
They'll never get hungry, they'll never get old and gray
You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere
They won't make it home, but they really don't care
They wanted the highway, they're happier there today, today
Anyone can see the road that they walk on is paved in gold
And it's always summer, they'll never get cold
They'll never get hungry, they'll never get old and gray
You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere
They won't make it home, but they really don't care
They wanted the highway, they're happier there today, today
(Leaving it all behind)
They left before the sun came up that day
An exit to eternal summer slacking
But where were they going without ever knowing the way
They drank up the wine and they got to talking
They now had more important things to say
And when the car broke down, they started walking
Where were they going without ever knowing the way
Anyone can see the road that they walk on is paved in gold
And it's always summer, they'll never get cold
They'll never get hungry, they'll never get old and gray
You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere
They won't make it home, but they really don't care
They wanted the highway, they're happier there today, today
Their children woke up and they couldn't find 'em
They left before the sun came up that day
They just drove off and left it all behind 'em (leaving it all behind)
Where were they going without ever knowing the way?
Anyone can see the road that they walk on is paved in gold
And it's always summer, they'll never get cold
They'll never get hungry, they'll never get old and gray
You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere
They won't make it home, but they really don't care
They wanted the highway, they're happier there today, today
Anyone can see the road that they walk on is paved in gold
And it's always summer, they'll never get cold
They'll never get hungry, they'll never get old and gray
You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere
They won't make it home, but they really don't care
They wanted the highway, they're happier there today, today
(Leaving it all behind)
Comments (231)add comment
One of my favorite tunes EVER. BTW, once I heard a very nice acoustic version... I think it was in a mexican late 90's radio station but have never been able to get it. If somebody knows how to find it, please let me know!! 
ziggytrix wrote:
wow. that's tragic.
wow. that's tragic.
Piranga wrote:
Most of the album is decent. I'm partial to "Which Way to the Top?"
Terrific song, but their only one (?)
Most of the album is decent. I'm partial to "Which Way to the Top?"
Major goosebumps and chilllss! I LOVE this song, took me so long to find out whose it was. Based on a heartbreaking true story -- check it out! OMG never get old and gray ...
the comments and explanation of the songs inspiration really put a drag on it. Before reading the comments I had always put a more positive spin on it. Retired, done with working life away. Screw it, we're gonna go live our lives, travel god knows where, and spend our kids inheritance.
Now the song is just tragic.
Now the song is just tragic.
This whole album is really good!
A typical 90s One Hit Wonder - at least here in Germany.
I sent this to our kids as a warning that one morning they may wake up and find.....
What wonderful sentiments, really made my day. Time to smell the flowers.
Goosebumps and chills.
Had a powerful stroke four days ago, but am already back to normal ... physically. Emotionally? I'm walking down a road paved with gold, basking in the midwinter sunshine, wondering if those I love know how much they've contributed to my most excellent life.
Had a powerful stroke four days ago, but am already back to normal ... physically. Emotionally? I'm walking down a road paved with gold, basking in the midwinter sunshine, wondering if those I love know how much they've contributed to my most excellent life.
This song was inspired by a true story of an elderly couple who just got in their car and drove until they ran out of gas, and they started walking.......
until they walked on roads paved in gold.
until they walked on roads paved in gold.
mrselfdestruct wrote:
exactly.
always thought this was the Wallflowers so 2 is plenty.
3—>2
exactly.
always thought this was the Wallflowers so 2 is plenty.
unclehud wrote:
Ah, that emotional side. My husband has had a number of strokes, serious ones, but didn't affect him physical. Now the EMOTIONAL side ... wow. No one ever warns us about this side effect of strokes. But it's ok. Feeling things is still a blessing in its own way!
Be strong, hope you continue to improve. We're in your corner!!!
Goosebumps and chills.
Had a powerful stroke four days ago, but am already back to normal ... physically. Emotionally? I'm walking down a road paved with gold, basking in the midwinter sunshine, wondering if those I love know how much they've contributed to my most excellent life.
Had a powerful stroke four days ago, but am already back to normal ... physically. Emotionally? I'm walking down a road paved with gold, basking in the midwinter sunshine, wondering if those I love know how much they've contributed to my most excellent life.
Ah, that emotional side. My husband has had a number of strokes, serious ones, but didn't affect him physical. Now the EMOTIONAL side ... wow. No one ever warns us about this side effect of strokes. But it's ok. Feeling things is still a blessing in its own way!
Be strong, hope you continue to improve. We're in your corner!!!
unclehud wrote:
Nice post, friend. Hope you're doing well. RP helps with these things, I find.
Goosebumps and chills.
Had a powerful stroke four days ago, but am already back to normal ... physically. Emotionally? I'm walking down a road paved with gold, basking in the midwinter sunshine, wondering if those I love know how much they've contributed to my most excellent life.
Had a powerful stroke four days ago, but am already back to normal ... physically. Emotionally? I'm walking down a road paved with gold, basking in the midwinter sunshine, wondering if those I love know how much they've contributed to my most excellent life.
Nice post, friend. Hope you're doing well. RP helps with these things, I find.
Terrific song, but their only one (?)
Screw all of y'all. Great song.
Goosebumps and chills.
Had a powerful stroke four days ago, but am already back to normal ... physically. Emotionally? I'm walking down a road paved with gold, basking in the midwinter sunshine, wondering if those I love know how much they've contributed to my most excellent life.
Had a powerful stroke four days ago, but am already back to normal ... physically. Emotionally? I'm walking down a road paved with gold, basking in the midwinter sunshine, wondering if those I love know how much they've contributed to my most excellent life.
dancindan wrote:
Happened to us too.
Happened to us too.
DaidyBoy wrote:
You're right there. My darling Mum was taken this year after a long spell of gradually drifting away from us. It's lovely to hear a great tune come from such terrible tragedy though. Something positive to learn from, I think.
You're right there. My darling Mum was taken this year after a long spell of gradually drifting away from us. It's lovely to hear a great tune come from such terrible tragedy though. Something positive to learn from, I think.
9 for the poignancy of the lyrics; 3 for how it makes me feel and 5 for sounding like Delilah in the verses
Sounds like Jacques Brel should be singing this!
Sounds like those 50's classics just from the 90's
A 9 from yo boyeee
A 9 from yo boyeee
DaidyBoy wrote:
You're right there. My darling Mum was taken this year after a long spell of gradually drifting away from us. It's lovely to hear a great tune come from such terrible tragedy though. Something positive to learn from, I think.
Maybe it's about society; not a person. However pain is pain and I'm sorry.
You're right there. My darling Mum was taken this year after a long spell of gradually drifting away from us. It's lovely to hear a great tune come from such terrible tragedy though. Something positive to learn from, I think.
Maybe it's about society; not a person. However pain is pain and I'm sorry.
ziggytrix wrote:
Not funny at all. Alzheimer's is a motherfucker.
You're right there. My darling Mum was taken this year after a long spell of gradually drifting away from us. It's lovely to hear a great tune come from such terrible tragedy though. Something positive to learn from, I think.
Not funny at all. Alzheimer's is a motherfucker.
You're right there. My darling Mum was taken this year after a long spell of gradually drifting away from us. It's lovely to hear a great tune come from such terrible tragedy though. Something positive to learn from, I think.
0 just because , when this song came out, there was a girl in my office that loved it, talked about it , droned on and on about it.
I did not enjoy her presence,,,,I do not like this song. This song reminds me of her.... 0
I did not enjoy her presence,,,,I do not like this song. This song reminds me of her.... 0
Chinto wrote:
omgawd......way too funny
Not funny at all. Alzheimer's is a motherfucker.
omgawd......way too funny
Not funny at all. Alzheimer's is a motherfucker.
FASTBALL is clearly underrated!!
If THE WAY is the band´s only song you know (but like the great pop-tune and their overall musical style), listen to their albums.
If THE WAY is the band´s only song you know (but like the great pop-tune and their overall musical style), listen to their albums.
Saw them open for Collective Soul at the CU Arena back in 2001. The crowd was there to see CS, but Fastball was rock-solid, too!
Great pop and catchy lyrics come with a price. That price are the people who criticize something that strays away from what they expect. I imagine that these lyrics or subject matter doesn't fit the happy, sugar drop surrounding that the bounciness this song suggests. For that reason alone...this song is brilliant and cool. It's always a difficult task to write pensive lyrics over a bouncy tune. Much like the suggestion that "In My Life" by the Beatles presents. It's a melancholy melody and chord progression over rather uplifting and reassuring lyrics. The contrast is bliss to my ears.
ziggytrix wrote:
omgawd......way too funny
omgawd......way too funny
ziggytrix wrote:
That makes so much sense. Sounds like my parents. We had to take dad's keys away at 89 but before that they would get in the Town and Country van and take off. We always worried when they drove from Ohio to FLA and back. They are both in their 90's now - but together and safe.
That makes so much sense. Sounds like my parents. We had to take dad's keys away at 89 but before that they would get in the Town and Country van and take off. We always worried when they drove from Ohio to FLA and back. They are both in their 90's now - but together and safe.
BCarn wrote:
The story the lyrics tell, or the story that inspired the lyrics?
Always liked this song. Just catchy. And the story is interesting too.
The story the lyrics tell, or the story that inspired the lyrics?
Always liked this song. Just catchy. And the story is interesting too.
mrselfdestruct wrote:
Oh, come on, Mrs. Elf Destruct. It's not that bad, that it should feel worth it to down vote it. Especially from a 3 to a 2. A 7 to a 6? Sure. It's not that bad.
3—>2
Oh, come on, Mrs. Elf Destruct. It's not that bad, that it should feel worth it to down vote it. Especially from a 3 to a 2. A 7 to a 6? Sure. It's not that bad.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Nice visual :o) I used to karaoke this one - upstairs smokey bar full of regulars that loved me as much as I loved them. Great times!
This is the last song I distinctly remember being a top 40 hit (that I liked) that owned a summer, in the way people would blast it in their cars, the way it would come on the radio and everyone would turn it up with the windows open and you could just hear it floating across the town. Before ipods/internet turned so much music appreciation inward (obviously not a bad thing, but I still enjoy the memory of this).
Nice visual :o) I used to karaoke this one - upstairs smokey bar full of regulars that loved me as much as I loved them. Great times!
Cueburned wrote:
I was thinking the same thing; especially the opening.
Like the tune but when it hits my ears I always expect to hear Tom Jones. "Why, why, why Delilah"
ACK! But that's MY problem.
ACK! But that's MY problem.
I was thinking the same thing; especially the opening.
Like the tune but when it hits my ears I always expect to hear Tom Jones. "Why, why, why Delilah"
ACK! But that's MY problem.
ACK! But that's MY problem.
The bougie music connoisseurs of RP couldn't possibly like this piece of 20 year old Chateau du Pop music.
I represent those that are willing to admit that every once in awhile, a great piece of kit comes out of a top 40 band. This is one. I remember trolling the radio as a recent college grad when this song came out, just to look for it.
I loved it then. I love it now.
I represent those that are willing to admit that every once in awhile, a great piece of kit comes out of a top 40 band. This is one. I remember trolling the radio as a recent college grad when this song came out, just to look for it.
I loved it then. I love it now.
The bug-eyed sunglasses, the crappy goatee... This cover, just like this band is extremely cemented in the 90s. They, like many bands at any given time are merely reflective of the times and don't transcend them at all. Let's leave them back in the 90s where they belong.
This is the last song I distinctly remember being a top 40 hit (that I liked) that owned a summer, in the way people would blast it in their cars, the way it would come on the radio and everyone would turn it up with the windows open and you could just hear it floating across the town. Before ipods/internet turned so much music appreciation inward (obviously not a bad thing, but I still enjoy the memory of this).
Today Is a ringtone, and I put my cell. on mute. It let me have my cake and eat it too.
Damn. sometimes knowing a little music history makes you more appreciate the jam behind a song!
Great production on this tune, and it is a great song. Love the guitar; big and heavy like a 50s rockabilly.
WonderLizard wrote:
<snip> Maybe, just maybe, Ray decided that he, at 88, and Lela, 85, had not much time left and decided to go out in style ... <snip>
That's almost how I explain my motorcycle to my adult children and their wives: A way to ensure I don't die from cancer.
ick wrote:
I can, because it's based on a true story:
This song is based on the true story of Lela and Raymond Howard, an elderly couple from Salado, Texas who drove to a nearby festival and kept going. She had Alzheimer's disease and he was recovering from brain surgery. When they disappeared, a reporter from the Austin American-Statesman wrote a series of articles about the missing couple. Fastball bassist Tony Scalzo came up with the idea for the song after reading the articles (the band is from Austin). He says, "It's a romanticized take on what happened" - he "pictured them taking off to have fun, like they did when they first met." However, he found out after writing the song that the couple had died. They were found dead in Arkansas.
besides... children are evil!
If you don't mind, perhaps there's a different slant on their fatal excursion. Read this story: https://www.biographile.com/memoir-in-a-melody-the-tragic-disappearance-behind-fastballs-the-way/31024/. Maybe, just maybe, Ray decided that he, at 88, and Lela, 85, had not much time left and decided to go out in style--although ending up at the bottom of an Arkansas ravine may not be what some, over even they, consider "style." Still, there's something to be said for going out on your own terms. Scalzo may have gotten it right.
I can, because it's based on a true story:
This song is based on the true story of Lela and Raymond Howard, an elderly couple from Salado, Texas who drove to a nearby festival and kept going. She had Alzheimer's disease and he was recovering from brain surgery. When they disappeared, a reporter from the Austin American-Statesman wrote a series of articles about the missing couple. Fastball bassist Tony Scalzo came up with the idea for the song after reading the articles (the band is from Austin). He says, "It's a romanticized take on what happened" - he "pictured them taking off to have fun, like they did when they first met." However, he found out after writing the song that the couple had died. They were found dead in Arkansas.
besides... children are evil!
If you don't mind, perhaps there's a different slant on their fatal excursion. Read this story: https://www.biographile.com/memoir-in-a-melody-the-tragic-disappearance-behind-fastballs-the-way/31024/. Maybe, just maybe, Ray decided that he, at 88, and Lela, 85, had not much time left and decided to go out in style--although ending up at the bottom of an Arkansas ravine may not be what some, over even they, consider "style." Still, there's something to be said for going out on your own terms. Scalzo may have gotten it right.
always did like this one... fun little pop tune.
Beautifully crafted pop song. Perfect summer listening.
I love the song, good sound, like the way the lyrics wind around the melody, but I have never actually taken time to understand the story behind it. After reading all the previous posts, it is now a little clearer, and very sad story it is too.
Just for the feel of the music, cant give less than an eight.
Just for the feel of the music, cant give less than an eight.
ick wrote:
I can, because it's based on a true story:
This song is based on the true story of Lela and Raymond Howard, an elderly couple from Salado, Texas who drove to a nearby festival and kept going. She had Alzheimer's disease and he was recovering from brain surgery. When they disappeared, a reporter from the Austin American-Statesman wrote a series of articles about the missing couple. Fastball bassist Tony Scalzo came up with the idea for the song after reading the articles (the band is from Austin). He says, "It's a romanticized take on what happened" - he "pictured them taking off to have fun, like they did when they first met." However, he found out after writing the song that the couple had died. They were found dead in Arkansas.
besides... children are evil!
Oh, wow... Now that you mention it I vaguely remember hearing that. What a really awful story... : (
I can, because it's based on a true story:
This song is based on the true story of Lela and Raymond Howard, an elderly couple from Salado, Texas who drove to a nearby festival and kept going. She had Alzheimer's disease and he was recovering from brain surgery. When they disappeared, a reporter from the Austin American-Statesman wrote a series of articles about the missing couple. Fastball bassist Tony Scalzo came up with the idea for the song after reading the articles (the band is from Austin). He says, "It's a romanticized take on what happened" - he "pictured them taking off to have fun, like they did when they first met." However, he found out after writing the song that the couple had died. They were found dead in Arkansas.
besides... children are evil!
Oh, wow... Now that you mention it I vaguely remember hearing that. What a really awful story... : (
TheBorgBuilder wrote:
I suppose it depends on how old their children are!! If the children are over 20 the song has a slightly different context.
I have a 27 year old child living at home so I understand. But it's my house so I'm not leaving, even for endless summer slacking. Now if I woke up some moring and found my adult child had moved out, that would be a different story.
I suppose it depends on how old their children are!! If the children are over 20 the song has a slightly different context.
I have a 27 year old child living at home so I understand. But it's my house so I'm not leaving, even for endless summer slacking. Now if I woke up some moring and found my adult child had moved out, that would be a different story.
ick wrote:
I can, because it's based on a true story:
This song is based on the true story of Lela and Raymond Howard, an elderly couple from Salado, Texas who drove to a nearby festival and kept going. She had Alzheimer's disease and he was recovering from brain surgery. When they disappeared, a reporter from the Austin American-Statesman wrote a series of articles about the missing couple. Fastball bassist Tony Scalzo came up with the idea for the song after reading the articles (the band is from Austin). He says, "It's a romanticized take on what happened" - he "pictured them taking off to have fun, like they did when they first met." However, he found out after writing the song that the couple had died. They were found dead in Arkansas.
besides... children are evil!
Thanks ick for setting Coleen straight on what this song is actually about.
I can, because it's based on a true story:
This song is based on the true story of Lela and Raymond Howard, an elderly couple from Salado, Texas who drove to a nearby festival and kept going. She had Alzheimer's disease and he was recovering from brain surgery. When they disappeared, a reporter from the Austin American-Statesman wrote a series of articles about the missing couple. Fastball bassist Tony Scalzo came up with the idea for the song after reading the articles (the band is from Austin). He says, "It's a romanticized take on what happened" - he "pictured them taking off to have fun, like they did when they first met." However, he found out after writing the song that the couple had died. They were found dead in Arkansas.
besides... children are evil!
Thanks ick for setting Coleen straight on what this song is actually about.
When this song came out, it reminded me of a pale imitation of Elvis Costello................so I listened to EC instead of this and all was good. : )
colleen wrote:
Perhaps someone with a conscience AND a sense of humor.
A song about parents getting drunk and abandoning their children in the middle of the night and never going home again and not caring?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
Perhaps someone with a conscience AND a sense of humor.
Low and away for a ball.
colleen wrote:
I suppose it depends on how old their children are!! If the children are over 20 the song has a slightly different context.
A song about parents getting drunk and abandoning their children in the middle of the night and never going home again and not caring?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
I suppose it depends on how old their children are!! If the children are over 20 the song has a slightly different context.
ppopp wrote:
I don't even want to...no, you know what? I DO want to know how you know what it sounds like in a crocodile uterus. Go ahead, I'm waiting.
No need to hear a song which was played to death when it came out. Horrible engineering too. Sounds like it was recorded in a crocodile uterus.
I don't even want to...no, you know what? I DO want to know how you know what it sounds like in a crocodile uterus. Go ahead, I'm waiting.
colleen wrote:
Why on earth would liking a song be the same thing as endorsing the behavior it depicts?
A song about parents getting drunk and abandoning their children in the middle of the night and never going home again and not caring?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
Why on earth would liking a song be the same thing as endorsing the behavior it depicts?
No need to hear a song which was played to death when it came out. Horrible engineering too. Sounds like it was recorded in a crocodile uterus.
Why, why, why, Delilah...
colleen wrote:
I can, because it's based on a true story:
This song is based on the true story of Lela and Raymond Howard, an elderly couple from Salado, Texas who drove to a nearby festival and kept going. She had Alzheimer's disease and he was recovering from brain surgery. When they disappeared, a reporter from the Austin American-Statesman wrote a series of articles about the missing couple. Fastball bassist Tony Scalzo came up with the idea for the song after reading the articles (the band is from Austin). He says, "It's a romanticized take on what happened" - he "pictured them taking off to have fun, like they did when they first met." However, he found out after writing the song that the couple had died. They were found dead in Arkansas.
besides... children are evil!
A song about parents getting drunk and abandoning their children in the middle of the night and never going home again and not caring?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
I can, because it's based on a true story:
This song is based on the true story of Lela and Raymond Howard, an elderly couple from Salado, Texas who drove to a nearby festival and kept going. She had Alzheimer's disease and he was recovering from brain surgery. When they disappeared, a reporter from the Austin American-Statesman wrote a series of articles about the missing couple. Fastball bassist Tony Scalzo came up with the idea for the song after reading the articles (the band is from Austin). He says, "It's a romanticized take on what happened" - he "pictured them taking off to have fun, like they did when they first met." However, he found out after writing the song that the couple had died. They were found dead in Arkansas.
besides... children are evil!
colleen wrote:
I can't stand Steve Miller's "Take the Money and Run" for similar reasons. The hero of the song is a murderer and burglar. Woo hoo!
A song about parents getting drunk and abandoning their children in the middle of the night and never going home again and not caring?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
I can't stand Steve Miller's "Take the Money and Run" for similar reasons. The hero of the song is a murderer and burglar. Woo hoo!
Used to hear this every single evening at my gym back in the late '90s or so. That lasted for a few months, and I've never heard the song again until today, nor did I know who the artist was. No great loss; it's not very good.
karljonasson wrote:
It's about seniors leaving adult children I'm pretty sure… based on a true story… at least that's what somebody told me. So you can enjoy it more now.
This is right. There was an NPR story on it when the song came out.
edited (from Wikipedia):
It's about seniors leaving adult children I'm pretty sure… based on a true story… at least that's what somebody told me. So you can enjoy it more now.
This is right. There was an NPR story on it when the song came out.
edited (from Wikipedia):
Scalzo was inspired to write the song in 1997, after reading a news article about Lela and Raymond Howard, an elderly couple who had disappeared in Texas. Though Lela had Alzheimers and Raymond was recovering from brain surgery, the couple had been driving to a local festival. They were discovered two weeks later, dead, at the bottom of a ravine near Hot Springs, Arkansas, hundreds of miles off their intended route. Scalzo chose to imagine that they began reminiscing and decided to become ethereal beings on a permanent romantic trip, the answer to the song's question "where were they going without ever knowing the way?"
HAHAHA.....YES FREEDOM OF SPEECH
It's called interesting subject matter.
It's called interesting subject matter.
obstetricus wrote:
A good song is a good song. Sometimes a million people can't be wrong.
Is this Hot 97.9 FM the best of the 70s, 80s, and 90s radio?? A little too mainstream for RP IMHO
A good song is a good song. Sometimes a million people can't be wrong.
colleen wrote:
It's called interesting subject matter.
A song about parents getting drunk and abandoning their children in the middle of the night and never going home again and not caring?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
It's called interesting subject matter.
This is a fun band, I have always liked them.
I love it. Escapist fantasy of leaving it all behind and taking to the road. The road is paved with gold.
Someone's gotta say it: Damn Proclivities, every time you post, well, it's awesome! I have said it before, and I am saying it again - you entertain and educate with each posting. I always scan song threads for your posts because they will, at some level, be enlightening, elucidative, and whatever other alliterative or other terms you wish to apply. As much as I love RP, you make the experience that much better. Thank you.
Proclivities
(Paris of the Piedmont)
colleen wrote:
Songs can be about whatever the author wants - the lyrics blankly tell a story; no actual families were harmed in the composition of this song, and no behavior seems glorified by the lyrics. Many songs are about unpleasant or unsavory subjects - some fictional, some based on true events - it doesn't mean that a listener who may enjoy those tunes is without a conscience. Does liking Hitchcock's "Psycho" or Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" make one devoid of a conscience? I don't think we want a world where writers and artists are told what their subject matter should be
Proclivities
(Paris of the Piedmont)
Posted: Jan 07, 2013 - 11:40
colleen wrote:
A song about parents getting drunk and abandoning their children in the middle of the night and never going home again and not caring?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
Songs can be about whatever the author wants - the lyrics blankly tell a story; no actual families were harmed in the composition of this song, and no behavior seems glorified by the lyrics. Many songs are about unpleasant or unsavory subjects - some fictional, some based on true events - it doesn't mean that a listener who may enjoy those tunes is without a conscience. Does liking Hitchcock's "Psycho" or Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" make one devoid of a conscience? I don't think we want a world where writers and artists are told what their subject matter should be
Can't help but feel like I had to live through this song on the radio once already. It's not a bad tune though, just so overplayed at the time it came out. Still though, does RP have that much of a 90s-born audience to warrant playing it? voted 3
Great Hook!
A fabulous quirky highway song
colleen wrote:
Songs can be about whatever the author wants - the lyrics blankly tell a story; no actual families were harmed in the composition of this song, and no behavior seems glorified by the lyrics. Many songs are about unpleasant or unsavory subjects - some fictional, some based on true events - it doesn't mean that a listener who may enjoy those tunes is without a conscience. Does liking Hitchcock's "Psycho" or Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" make one devoid of a conscience? I don't think we want a world where writers and artists are told what their subject matter should be.
A song about parents getting drunk and abandoning their children in the middle of the night and never going home again and not caring?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
Songs can be about whatever the author wants - the lyrics blankly tell a story; no actual families were harmed in the composition of this song, and no behavior seems glorified by the lyrics. Many songs are about unpleasant or unsavory subjects - some fictional, some based on true events - it doesn't mean that a listener who may enjoy those tunes is without a conscience. Does liking Hitchcock's "Psycho" or Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" make one devoid of a conscience? I don't think we want a world where writers and artists are told what their subject matter should be.
lemmoth wrote:
Detect??? It came right up and grabbed me.
A Beatles Influence. Like at least 75% of the music that came out concurrent with or after the Beatle's career.
We appear to have lost our grammar skills, hmmm?
Detect??? It came right up and grabbed me.
A Beatles Influence. Like at least 75% of the music that came out concurrent with or after the Beatle's career.
We appear to have lost our grammar skills, hmmm?
d48m02h1918 wrote:
Detect??? It came right up and grabbed me.
A Beatles Influence. Like at least 75% of the music that came out concurrent with or after the Beatle's career.
As an avid fan of Fastball, I can tell you that this entire album (along with their second album titled 'The Harsh Light of Day') contains great songs with solid guitar and excellent melodies. No it has nothing to do with the fact that they come from Austin, TX....
They just have a solid sound, and I actually detect a heavy Beatles influence in many of their songs!!
They just have a solid sound, and I actually detect a heavy Beatles influence in many of their songs!!
Detect??? It came right up and grabbed me.
A Beatles Influence. Like at least 75% of the music that came out concurrent with or after the Beatle's career.
A song about parents getting drunk and abandoning their children in the middle of the night and never going home again and not caring?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
How can anyone with a conscience like this song>?
As much as I revere great artists with long, prolific, diverse careers I also really love some of the great songs by so-called "one hit wonders" like those listed below and this wonderful tune. 9
As an avid fan of Fastball, I can tell you that this entire album (along with their third album titled 'The Harsh Light of Day') contains great songs with solid guitar and excellent melodies. No it has nothing to do with the fact that they come from Austin, TX....
They just have a fantastic sound, and I actually detect a heavy Beatles influence in many of their songs!!
They just have a fantastic sound, and I actually detect a heavy Beatles influence in many of their songs!!
I don't know why .... but I LOVE THIS SONG!!!
Stratocaster wrote:
Sinead only had one hit?
As with most one-hit wonders, this is really a pretty good song!
A few examples from my iPod's OHW playlist....
Blues Image - Ride Captain Ride
Mungo Jerry - In the Summertime
The Divinyls - I Touch Myself
Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In The Sky
The Knack - My Sharona
The Shocking Blue - Venus
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2U
Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
The Ides of March - Vehicle
Too bad these artists couldn't deliver the one-two punch.
Anyhoo, back to "The Way".... I love how the bass thunders in on the second verse...
A few examples from my iPod's OHW playlist....
Blues Image - Ride Captain Ride
Mungo Jerry - In the Summertime
The Divinyls - I Touch Myself
Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In The Sky
The Knack - My Sharona
The Shocking Blue - Venus
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2U
Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
The Ides of March - Vehicle
Too bad these artists couldn't deliver the one-two punch.
Anyhoo, back to "The Way".... I love how the bass thunders in on the second verse...
Sinead only had one hit?
karljonasson wrote:
It's about seniors leaving adult children I'm pretty sure… based on a true story… at least that's what somebody told me. So you can enjoy it more now.
OH. Wish I'd read that before my remark. Very cool! Maybe I can arrange for this song to play on my (88 year old) dad's PC a few times a day. (just kidding)
It's about seniors leaving adult children I'm pretty sure… based on a true story… at least that's what somebody told me. So you can enjoy it more now.
OH. Wish I'd read that before my remark. Very cool! Maybe I can arrange for this song to play on my (88 year old) dad's PC a few times a day. (just kidding)
Shaken_Bake wrote:
The lyrics seem to make it clear that they've just completely lost it as far as reality is concerned, so the kid's level of neglect might not be any different if they're home or wandering someplace. This seems like a very spooky song under the carefree surface.
The child abandonment aspect of the lyrics always disturbed me.
The lyrics seem to make it clear that they've just completely lost it as far as reality is concerned, so the kid's level of neglect might not be any different if they're home or wandering someplace. This seems like a very spooky song under the carefree surface.
Shaken_Bake wrote:
It's about seniors leaving adult children I'm pretty sure… based on a true story… at least that's what somebody told me. So you can enjoy it more now.
The child abandonment aspect of the lyrics always disturbed me.
It's about seniors leaving adult children I'm pretty sure… based on a true story… at least that's what somebody told me. So you can enjoy it more now.
ick wrote:
No way, it's fun stuff!
I find this whole album quite enjoyable. I must be unsophisticated.
No way, it's fun stuff!
I find this whole album quite enjoyable. I must be unsophisticated.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
I love this song too, and Fastball; it/they take me back to when I was living in DC and bartending because it would come on at the restaurant all the time and it would always make me stop, take notice and sing along. Those were some good times.
I've had this at 8 for a decade, just moved it to 9. I always stop and listen, maybe go read the lyrics, think about things. That's a good song that does that.
I love this song too, and Fastball; it/they take me back to when I was living in DC and bartending because it would come on at the restaurant all the time and it would always make me stop, take notice and sing along. Those were some good times.
I've had this at 8 for a decade, just moved it to 9. I always stop and listen, maybe go read the lyrics, think about things. That's a good song that does that.
always heard Dave Edmunds in this one...
The child abandonment aspect of the lyrics always disturbed me.
Proclivities wrote:
Are you saying you would rather not have an album which went platinum? Also, they had about three songs in the Top 20, not one.
I can understand how being a one-hit-wonder can be a bad thing - sudden fame, sudden obscurity, high probability of frittering away any cash gained.
Do that with a bad song, and you also get the scorn of the hoi polloi in the bargain.
But song was a hit for a good reason: it's a fine pop song. Putting out good work and having it, or at least some of it, appreciated by millions can only be satisfying. The folks who wrote this will be probably still be glad to take credit for it when they're in nursing homes.
Are you saying you would rather not have an album which went platinum? Also, they had about three songs in the Top 20, not one.
I can understand how being a one-hit-wonder can be a bad thing - sudden fame, sudden obscurity, high probability of frittering away any cash gained.
Do that with a bad song, and you also get the scorn of the hoi polloi in the bargain.
But song was a hit for a good reason: it's a fine pop song. Putting out good work and having it, or at least some of it, appreciated by millions can only be satisfying. The folks who wrote this will be probably still be glad to take credit for it when they're in nursing homes.
nickhanks wrote:
jkhandy wrote:
better than no hits at all.
spacemoose wrote:
That's an intersting observation. I don't know if I agree with it.
Are you saying you would rather not have an album which went platinum? Also, they had about three songs in the Top 20, not one.
One hit wonder. I liked it when it came out, but now it seems a little unsophisticated. Still a nice bouncy tune for those ear-candy moments.
jkhandy wrote:
better than no hits at all.
spacemoose wrote:
That's an intersting observation. I don't know if I agree with it.
Are you saying you would rather not have an album which went platinum? Also, they had about three songs in the Top 20, not one.
jkhandy wrote:
better than no hits at all.
That's an intersting observation. I don't know if I agree with it.
better than no hits at all.
That's an intersting observation. I don't know if I agree with it.
One hit wonders depress me.
And here it is again....love it!! Great song for Sunday morning with my 1st cup of joe.
Hey Strat, I like what you said ... good list of great songs .... many are on my iPod also ... and the rest will be soon .... thanks, PK
Stratocaster wrote:
Stratocaster wrote:
As with most one-hit wonders, this is really a pretty good song!
A few examples from my iPod's OHW playlist....
Blues Image - Ride Captain Ride
Mungo Jerry - In the Summertime
The Divinyls - I Touch Myself
Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In The Sky
The Knack - My Sharona
The Shocking Blue - Venus
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2U
Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
The Ides of March - Vehicle
Too bad these artists couldn't deliver the one-two punch.
Anyhoo, back to "The Way".... I love how the bass thunders in on the second verse...
A few examples from my iPod's OHW playlist....
Blues Image - Ride Captain Ride
Mungo Jerry - In the Summertime
The Divinyls - I Touch Myself
Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In The Sky
The Knack - My Sharona
The Shocking Blue - Venus
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2U
Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
The Ides of March - Vehicle
Too bad these artists couldn't deliver the one-two punch.
Anyhoo, back to "The Way".... I love how the bass thunders in on the second verse...
Fun. Simple. Cool. Catchy. Enough said.
nickhanks wrote:
better than no hits at all.
One hit wonder. I liked it when it came out, but now it seems a little unsophisticated. Still a nice bouncy tune for those ear-candy moments.
better than no hits at all.
As with most one-hit wonders, this is really a pretty good song!
A few examples from my iPod's OHW playlist....
Blues Image - Ride Captain Ride
Mungo Jerry - In the Summertime
The Divinyls - I Touch Myself
Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In The Sky
The Knack - My Sharona
The Shocking Blue - Venus
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2U
Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
The Ides of March - Vehicle
Too bad these artists couldn't deliver the one-two punch.
Anyhoo, back to "The Way".... I love how the bass thunders in on the second verse...
A few examples from my iPod's OHW playlist....
Blues Image - Ride Captain Ride
Mungo Jerry - In the Summertime
The Divinyls - I Touch Myself
Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In The Sky
The Knack - My Sharona
The Shocking Blue - Venus
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2U
Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
The Ides of March - Vehicle
Too bad these artists couldn't deliver the one-two punch.
Anyhoo, back to "The Way".... I love how the bass thunders in on the second verse...
catchy song! 
One hit wonder. I liked it when it came out, but now it seems a little unsophisticated. Still a nice bouncy tune for those ear-candy moments.
Byronape wrote:
This is a truly heart-warming story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Now I feel pretty stupid for thinking this song was about transsexual prostitutes on a road trip for penicillin.
When I first heard this song, I instantly thought of my grandparents. After nearly 60 years together, they still traveled everywhere they could together and were nearly never seen apart from each other. Love that can last that long, especially considering that my grandfather was in his very early 20's and my grandmother 17 when they got married, is an inspiration to me.
The biggest reason that I always think of them every time this comes on is because of how close they were and how much they traveled. They spent their entire early lives working and saving everything they could so they could play in their golden years and they made the most of it.
Several years ago, my grandfather started fighting cancer. He beat it once, but I suppose you never really beat it completely as it came back with a vengeance. I always had a feeling that I was going to hear that they were going somewhere and disappeared together. I figured that the way they lived together would mean that they would want to die together, but unfortunately life didn't give them that option. His last year was terrible, he was bed ridden and pretty much only left the house to go to the doctor. Those last few months, he lived on a hospital bed in his living room while waiting to die.
I truly love my grandmother and am happy I still have her in my life, but after seeing what she had to go through and how she is going to have spend the rest of her life without the love of her life, I almost wish that they had died on the road somewhere. At least they would have been together.
I can only hope I can have that kind of life with my wife.
The biggest reason that I always think of them every time this comes on is because of how close they were and how much they traveled. They spent their entire early lives working and saving everything they could so they could play in their golden years and they made the most of it.
Several years ago, my grandfather started fighting cancer. He beat it once, but I suppose you never really beat it completely as it came back with a vengeance. I always had a feeling that I was going to hear that they were going somewhere and disappeared together. I figured that the way they lived together would mean that they would want to die together, but unfortunately life didn't give them that option. His last year was terrible, he was bed ridden and pretty much only left the house to go to the doctor. Those last few months, he lived on a hospital bed in his living room while waiting to die.
I truly love my grandmother and am happy I still have her in my life, but after seeing what she had to go through and how she is going to have spend the rest of her life without the love of her life, I almost wish that they had died on the road somewhere. At least they would have been together.
I can only hope I can have that kind of life with my wife.
This is a truly heart-warming story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Now I feel pretty stupid for thinking this song was about transsexual prostitutes on a road trip for penicillin.
Is this Hot 97.9 FM the best of the 70s, 80s, and 90s radio?? A little too mainstream for RP IMHO
Byronape wrote:
This little history makes me feel better on this saturday morning at work.
Thank you.
When I first heard this song, I instantly thought of my grandparents. After nearly 60 years together, they still traveled everywhere they could together and were nearly never seen apart from each other. Love that can last that long, especially considering that my grandfather was in his very early 20's and my grandmother 17 when they got married, is an inspiration to me.
The biggest reason that I always think of them every time this comes on is because of how close they were and how much they traveled. They spent their entire early lives working and saving everything they could so they could play in their golden years and they made the most of it.
Several years ago, my grandfather started fighting cancer. He beat it once, but I suppose you never really beat it completely as it came back with a vengeance. I always had a feeling that I was going to hear that they were going somewhere and disappeared together. I figured that the way they lived together would mean that they would want to die together, but unfortunately life didn't give them that option. His last year was terrible, he was bed ridden and pretty much only left the house to go to the doctor. Those last few months, he lived on a hospital bed in his living room while waiting to die.
I truly love my grandmother and am happy I still have her in my life, but after seeing what she had to go through and how she is going to have spend the rest of her life without the love of her life, I almost wish that they had died on the road somewhere. At least they would have been together.
I can only hope I can have that kind of life with my wife.
The biggest reason that I always think of them every time this comes on is because of how close they were and how much they traveled. They spent their entire early lives working and saving everything they could so they could play in their golden years and they made the most of it.
Several years ago, my grandfather started fighting cancer. He beat it once, but I suppose you never really beat it completely as it came back with a vengeance. I always had a feeling that I was going to hear that they were going somewhere and disappeared together. I figured that the way they lived together would mean that they would want to die together, but unfortunately life didn't give them that option. His last year was terrible, he was bed ridden and pretty much only left the house to go to the doctor. Those last few months, he lived on a hospital bed in his living room while waiting to die.
I truly love my grandmother and am happy I still have her in my life, but after seeing what she had to go through and how she is going to have spend the rest of her life without the love of her life, I almost wish that they had died on the road somewhere. At least they would have been together.
I can only hope I can have that kind of life with my wife.
This little history makes me feel better on this saturday morning at work.
Thank you.
Gotta get up and cha-cha!
no rating on this ? Perfect
having flashbacks!
...hey, you did it!.. 
When I first heard this song, I instantly thought of my grandparents. After nearly 60 years together, they still traveled everywhere they could together and were nearly never seen apart from each other. Love that can last that long, especially considering that my grandfather was in his very early 20's and my grandmother 17 when they got married, is an inspiration to me.
The biggest reason that I always think of them every time this comes on is because of how close they were and how much they traveled. They spent their entire early lives working and saving everything they could so they could play in their golden years and they made the most of it.
Several years ago, my grandfather started fighting cancer. He beat it once, but I suppose you never really beat it completely as it came back with a vengeance. I always had a feeling that I was going to hear that they were going somewhere and disappeared together. I figured that the way they lived together would mean that they would want to die together, but unfortunately life didn't give them that option. His last year was terrible, he was bed ridden and pretty much only left the house to go to the doctor. Those last few months, he lived on a hospital bed in his living room while waiting to die.
I truly love my grandmother and am happy I still have her in my life, but after seeing what she had to go through and how she is going to have spend the rest of her life without the love of her life, I almost wish that they had died on the road somewhere. At least they would have been together.
I can only hope I can have that kind of life with my wife.
The biggest reason that I always think of them every time this comes on is because of how close they were and how much they traveled. They spent their entire early lives working and saving everything they could so they could play in their golden years and they made the most of it.
Several years ago, my grandfather started fighting cancer. He beat it once, but I suppose you never really beat it completely as it came back with a vengeance. I always had a feeling that I was going to hear that they were going somewhere and disappeared together. I figured that the way they lived together would mean that they would want to die together, but unfortunately life didn't give them that option. His last year was terrible, he was bed ridden and pretty much only left the house to go to the doctor. Those last few months, he lived on a hospital bed in his living room while waiting to die.
I truly love my grandmother and am happy I still have her in my life, but after seeing what she had to go through and how she is going to have spend the rest of her life without the love of her life, I almost wish that they had died on the road somewhere. At least they would have been together.
I can only hope I can have that kind of life with my wife.
I heard the Elvis Costello Song - (3 songs before this : brutal youth) - but i like this 2 - this 1 remeinds me of (it) - and the verve
in this is quite fundamental yeah! — I like it - it is a good song!
in this is quite fundamental yeah! — I like it - it is a good song!
Looks like a lot of people are divided on this one. I don't know how I feel about it. It was overplayed to death in the late 90s, and I just can't pretend I'm hearing it for the first time. I'm betting if this were the first time, I'd think it's a nice little ditty. I guess I'll never know...
Fine!
These guys were actually pretty decent. I saw them by chance in the summer of...I think '98 in Seattle. Marcy Playground opened (barf) and Everclear headlined (meh). I was impressed by these guys though. I never bought their album, and this one was definitely played to death, but I thought they played really well live.
Another band at that show was Semisonic, who were being marketed rather aggressively that summer. I ended up accidentally seeing them three times that year; as they were the opening act for other bands I was going to see. It was really weird and by the third time it was just surreal, I felt like some sort of inadvertent Semisonic groupie even though I didn't like them.
Back on topic, Fastball's not exactly a one-hit wonder, though this was probably their only top-10. I remember they had another song on the radio, "Fire Escape". I can hardly remember it now but I remember liking it better than this song back then. Gonna have to find it on YouTube or something to refresh my memory.
Oh yeah, they also had the song "Out of my Mind" which was okay.
Edit:
beat me to it 
Another band at that show was Semisonic, who were being marketed rather aggressively that summer. I ended up accidentally seeing them three times that year; as they were the opening act for other bands I was going to see. It was really weird and by the third time it was just surreal, I felt like some sort of inadvertent Semisonic groupie even though I didn't like them.
Back on topic, Fastball's not exactly a one-hit wonder, though this was probably their only top-10. I remember they had another song on the radio, "Fire Escape". I can hardly remember it now but I remember liking it better than this song back then. Gonna have to find it on YouTube or something to refresh my memory.
Oh yeah, they also had the song "Out of my Mind" which was okay.
Edit:
beat me to it They aren't technically "one-hit wonders," as they had a minor success with "Fire Escape," which has been used in a couple of movie soundtracks. I like Fastball. Always have. 
Power Pop!
Channeling the (early) Hollies. Good stuff.
Ahh, highschool.
nagsheadlocal wrote:
I just looked it up and, well, sure changes the way I see the song.
I liked this song and group, too bad they turned out to be One Hit Wonders.
Okay, so now I have to look up the song too...
One hit wonders have their place here! I haven't heard this song in maybe 10 years. I mean, I don't need to hear it again for at least 10 more, but I'm enjoying it for now.
I just looked it up and, well, sure changes the way I see the song.
I liked this song and group, too bad they turned out to be One Hit Wonders.
Okay, so now I have to look up the song too...
One hit wonders have their place here! I haven't heard this song in maybe 10 years. I mean, I don't need to hear it again for at least 10 more, but I'm enjoying it for now.
I like it. 8
PurplePrincess wrote:
I just looked it up and, well, sure changes the way I see the song.
I liked this song and group, too bad they turned out to be One Hit Wonders.
Great one hit wonder song, and it is based on a true story that happened near where we live.
I just looked it up and, well, sure changes the way I see the song.
I liked this song and group, too bad they turned out to be One Hit Wonders.
grace6697 wrote:
100% correct.
this song blows. it's almost insulting to play it here.
100% correct.
PurplePrincess wrote:
Well, don't just leave us hanging like that! Let's hear the story!!
Great one hit wonder song, and it is based on a true story that happened near where we live.
Well, don't just leave us hanging like that! Let's hear the story!!