The opening synth salvo of the theme from ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ blares over the stereo. The remnants of salty, wet dirt are trampled by tires and kicked back up behind the car. Already soiled from winter, the roads are messy but not yet destroyed. The video from Alanis Morisette’s ‘Ironic’ comes to mind, but that’s a different song. This goes further back than that, all the way to the 80’s.
GROWING UP, YOU DON’T SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL
PASSING BY, MOVING STRAIGHT AHEAD YOU KNEW IT ALL
BUT MAYBE SOMETIME IF YOU FEEL THE PAIN
YOU’LL FIND YOU’RE ALL ALONE, EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED…
PLAY THE GAME, YOU KNOW YOU CAN’T QUIT UNTIL IT’S WON
SOLDIER ON, ONLY YOU CAN DO WHAT MUST BE DONE
YOU KNOW IN SOME WAY YOU’RE A LOT LIKE ME
YOU’RE JUST A PRISONER AND YOU’RE TRYING TO BREAK FREE.
It’s a theme of empowerment, an anthem of self-belief.
It embodies a destiny defined by determination and drive.
It’s one of those songs that comes on and changes the air, that lifts you up and allows you to feel like a hero, even if it’s just for a moment.
And it’s as catchy as it is cheesy. The ultimate in 80’s excess.
BURNING UP, DON’T KNOW JUST HOW FAR THAT I CAN GO
SOON BE HOME, ONLY JUST A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD
I CAN MAKE IT, I KNOW I CAN
YOU BROKE THE BOY IN ME, BUT YOU WON’T BREAK THE MAN.
I don’t have any specific memories attached to this song, at least not when it first came out. I was a bit too young to recall the initial splash it made, but I remember how it made for a great road song. My tour resumes today and I’m itching to head out again. This is the sort of music that’s best for such an endeavor. A little dramatic, a little over-the-top, and a little boost for getting my sea legs again. This weekend, we ride…
JUST ONCE IN HIS LIFE
I’M COMING ALIVE…
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