Have you ever read the lyrics of the songs on TOSOD that David co-wrote? Can you imagine them, performed acoustically, stripped down, without the pop beat that accompanies them on the album?
Before TOSOD was released, David said the album was going to be more DAVID, he actually said it would be an introduction to DAVID. I remember the first time he said it. It was during a radio interview in Lexington, KY. I happened to be there with about 30 other fans. Everyone was super excited to find out who “David was” or who David thought David was (I’m starting to sound like David, lol). I carried that thought with me until the released date and even now, when I’m listening to the album, I ask myself, “what is it that David wanted us to know about him?”
Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, (Down, Down)
Here I am with all these questions hanging from my ceiling low One by one they all keep telling me I told you so Everywhere I turn I see red lights flashing over my head Oh no, oh no, oh no Mm-mm In a whirl-wind spinning, yeah somehow it knocked me off my feet
I know I know I know I know it’s over
and I know I know I know I’ve
Always been your token nice guy
You know that you rule your whole world
And thought I could live in it
But I just can’t..
I’ve been silent up to now
I’ve been going with the flow
Wherever that goes
But something’s screaming down inside
Makes me want to close my eyes
And hear the echo
You found a loop hole that you fell in
Now you’re treading water
You gotta see the hand for it pull you out
There’s something ’bout love
That tears you up
Whoa oh oh oh
You still believe
When the world falls down like the rain
It’ll bring you to your knees
There’s something ’bout love that breaks your heart
Whoa oh oh oh…
But don’t give up
There’s something ’bout love
Perhaps it’s the disconnect between the upbeat dance track and the “breaks your heart” lyric that was one of the reasons this song never caught on. While I know many fans danced and jammed to SBL, the song always made me sad. One day, I’d love to watch David perform this, alone with just a guitar. Crazier dreams have come true in the David fan world. I won’t give up.
What say you? Have you felt that the lyrics were more melancholy than uplifting? Tell me in the comments…
Funny you should write this right now. I’ve been re-reading Chords of Strength ( again). I’ve been thinking about the songs on BEGIN. and why David chose them. I always return to his book, since those are his words to us. On pp. 228-232, he talks about the types of songs he wants to be able to sing and the songs on the new CD certainly seem to fit to me. On those pages he talks about song writing also, and its interesting to think about the TOSOD songs he helped write. I agree acoustic performances of them would be amazing and I wonder if the messages he intended would show through more. Of course I love TOSOD and I know I will love BEGIN., after all its David!
emilyluvsarchie(Quote)
Emilyluvsarchie, all of the songs on BEGIN. are extremely powerful. Back in my day (looong before you were born, ha ha) we’d use the word “heavy” to describe something deep and emotional. The BEGIN. track list is seriously “heavy”. I only hope one day, we get to hear some of these songs live.
janey(Quote)
I was just thinking about this same thing the other day after an interaction with my son. He really is not too keen with my “Archuleta’ing” and all, but the other day while in the car he grew tired of the radio and put on my CD player … disc one of course was the first album (LOL – still in there since the day I bought it
), that came on and he said oh no, not that again… disc 2 button was pressedand we listened to some Enrique Iglesias (the old Enrique, not the new stuff) .. then he said “where is that down down, down down song” ..disc 3 was pressed … down down, down down…
After TOSOD was over, SBL came on .. he quickly fast forwarded past it “I don’t like that song” … he then left for the gym. (confession #! I sat in the car instead of going in with him) While I was waiting for him I put SBL on (confession #2 I often fast forwarded past SBL as well when listening to the entire CD) and felt that disconnect you mentioned Janey. I went on to listen to the rest of the songs and I think for the first time “heard” the lyrics over the upbeat tunes. I had a little “OMG” moment when I realized that the lyrics were rather melancholy in contrast to the more upbeat melodies.
Though not written by David, another example to what you have above is the song Complain -
Have you ever believed
That it’s just not your day
Like the world is against you
You know we’ve all felt that way
So far away from my home
And everything that I love
But as long as I’m breathing
Baby, I can’t complain
I use to think of this song as “life is good, I can’t complain” but it is more “life could be worse, I can’t complain.” What’s the other side of breathing ???
As for BEGIN., though many referring to it as uplifint inspirational songs, I also view most of these songs as being rather melancholy. There are repeating themes of lonliness, feeling different, being in need, in search of something mixed in with isolated imagery from nature.
ArchieFanDoc-AFS(Quote)
I agree with you Doc, I can hardly say the songs are “uplifting” although I might call some of them inspirational.
janey(Quote)
Not sure if this is exactly what you mean but the radio M&G I went to, he did just with Mike and the guitar, no backtrack and the songs sounded different and SBL was one. I recorded them standing right in front of him but my camera at the time was kinda crappy. But you can kind of get the idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHNY2aW0f_U&list=UUN9vbxWOx3xF4Pv1z2J8NYQ&index=10&feature=plcp
fa3ryg1rl(Quote)
I love SBL!! So many people don’t but I have always loved the beat of the music with the words! I have also heard him sing it with Mike & the guitar and like the stripped down version too!!
sunny(Quote)
I omitted the song that should have led the discussion:
Who I Am
Out the window everybody’s on the phone
All the lights are on and they’re all in the zone
Gotta take a step back from my new ringtone
I don’t care if Jeff Fenster is calling
Days like these
It’s hard to breathe
I’m gonna take this moment that I’m in right now
Stop the craziness some how
Leave it all behind me
I know it’s gonna find me
I’ve got nothing to win, I’ve got nothing to lose
Just trying to walk in my own two shoes
Gotta take some time now
It’s time for me to find out who I am
janey(Quote)
HHHmmm…wow I honestly have never thought of this before. When I began to read over the lyrics from this post I began to think “Hhhm…Huh..” and reading the following comments, it seemed to click. For some reason the lyrics made me think of how David felt about being under Jive Records and trying to find his own voice in a music industry that only focuses on hits and not meaning. Maybe that’s why I didn’t like Look Around because of the sound when I did like the lyrics. I do agree on the loneliness and feeling different and in need being seen through the words. I mean of course there’s nothing wrong with the album because it got me into him more and changed my thinking on things, but now this is pretty interesting. Interesting post. Thanks for sharing!
Kristin(Quote)