'Wings For Wheels' - An Escape Down Thunder Road

'Wings For Wheels'

-An Escape Down Thunder Road-

So me and a friend were discussing great songs the other day. By great songs i mean the best, like the top level, we were looking at songs which stood out from the crowd. Be it through interesting lyrics, brillinat music, or even cultural significance. Of course the usual suspects came up in discussion, 'American Pie' (Don Mclean), 'November Rain' (Guns N' Roses), 'Born To Run' (Bruce Springsteen), 'Hallelujah' (Jeff Buckley), 'Free Fallin' (Tom Petty) and numerous others. However, for me one song was standing out that isn't often mentioned on these kinda lists, a song that despite it's sheer brilliance is largely unknown to the general public. The song is in my opinion a piece of genius. That songs is of course, 'Thunder Road'.

Originally written in 1975, the songs was first performed under title 'Wings For Wheels' (a phrase which eventually made it's way into the lyrics of the song) but eventually evolved into the songs 'thunder Road'. Springsteen placed the song as the opening track on his '75 breakthrough album, titled 'Born To Run' (Another classic song found on an album full of recognisable tracks: 'Jungleland', 'Backstreets', etc...) Springsteen went through numerous treatments of the song before settling on the eventual product. There were lyrical changes, musical differances and just slight changes to the overall compsition of the song. Perhaps most significantly the name of the main female character in the narrative changed several times, going from, Angelina to Christina, before settling on Mary. Also the iconic ending line of the song: 'It's a town full of losers, and i'm pulling out of here to win' was initially something totally differant, instead being sung: 'It's a town full of losers baby, and i'm pulling out of here to win.'

The song doesn't bother with the traditional verse-chorus structure, instead going on a storytelling narrative arc, that gradually builds up, and increases in both tempo and intensity. Interestingly the song's title 'Thunder Road' is used sparingly throughout, only making it's first appearence mid-way through the song. The themes of the song, young love, love of cars, escape, entrapment, and excitement for the future are similar to themes of anothe Springseen classic 'Born To Run'. This allows the two songs to be heard as companion peices to each other, with 'Thunder Road' giving a more bleak outlook as opposed to the fast paced, rock song that is 'Born to run'.

But what is 'Thunder Road' actually all about ? Well, there lies the beauty of the track. It can be about differant things to differant people. To take it at face value the song is simply a love story, a boy and a girl wanting to move away together, leaving their past behind. However, upon further investigation and a more inquisitive ear you begin to notice there is more then that going on. The girl Mary isn't as pure and innocent as the heroines of love songs often are. Instead she is said to have almost grown out of her small town, 'There were ghosts in the eye's of all the boys you sent away'. Meeaning that she had experienced enough small town boys with small town mentality. She saw the new man as her last chance of escape as he too shares her want to escape and live in a new and exciting world. The young man himself is shown to be ready to leave. 'It's a town full of losers, and i'm pulling out of here to win'. The impression givin of him is that he is a musician who's ability as a guitar player ('Well i got this guitar, and i learned how to make it talk') are what is going to see him a success. Of course whether his dreams do come true and him and 'Mary' reach their big city lives and escape the shackles of small town American is unknown, and it'll never be known, but her elies the appeal of the song. It could all end in failure. Like real life, it is understood that no amount of planning and hope can get you were you want to be, the city can smallow up and chew out young couples trying to make their move from the country, and only exceeptional talents or luck will see a musician make it, and stand out from the crowd.

Whether or not Springsteen's hero and his lover ever made it is a great mystery, we hope they do, but in the sad event that it failed, that they didn't achieve what they set out to do, and they returned to their old town, atleast we know they tried. They gave it their best effor. And in doing so, gave us one o the best songs ever written. A modern masterpiece, that will hopefully one day recieve the recognition that it so deserves.

I'll be talkin to ya xxx

'Wings For Wheels' - An Escape Down Thunder Road

'Wings For Wheels'

-An Escape Down Thunder Road-

So me and a friend were discussing great songs the other day. By great songs i mean the best, like the top level, we were looking at songs which stood out from the crowd. Be it through interesting lyrics, brillinat music, or even cultural significance. Of course the usual suspects came up in discussion, 'American Pie' (Don Mclean), 'November Rain' (Guns N' Roses), 'Born To Run' (Bruce Springsteen), 'Hallelujah' (Jeff Buckley), 'Free Fallin' (Tom Petty) and numerous others. However, for me one song was standing out that isn't often mentioned on these kinda lists, a song that despite it's sheer brilliance is largely unknown to the general public. The song is in my opinion a piece of genius. That songs is of course, 'Thunder Road'.

Originally written in 1975, the songs was first performed under title 'Wings For Wheels' (a phrase which eventually made it's way into the lyrics of the song) but eventually evolved into the songs 'thunder Road'. Springsteen placed the song as the opening track on his '75 breakthrough album, titled 'Born To Run' (Another classic song found on an album full of recognisable tracks: 'Jungleland', 'Backstreets', etc...) Springsteen went through numerous treatments of the song before settling on the eventual product. There were lyrical changes, musical differances and just slight changes to the overall compsition of the song. Perhaps most significantly the name of the main female character in the narrative changed several times, going from, Angelina to Christina, before settling on Mary. Also the iconic ending line of the song: 'It's a town full of losers, and i'm pulling out of here to win' was initially something totally differant, instead being sung: 'It's a town full of losers baby, and i'm pulling out of here to win.'

The song doesn't bother with the traditional verse-chorus structure, instead going on a storytelling narrative arc, that gradually builds up, and increases in both tempo and intensity. Interestingly the song's title 'Thunder Road' is used sparingly throughout, only making it's first appearence mid-way through the song. The themes of the song, young love, love of cars, escape, entrapment, and excitement for the future are similar to themes of anothe Springseen classic 'Born To Run'. This allows the two songs to be heard as companion peices to each other, with 'Thunder Road' giving a more bleak outlook as opposed to the fast paced, rock song that is 'Born to run'.

But what is 'Thunder Road' actually all about ? Well, there lies the beauty of the track. It can be about differant things to differant people. To take it at face value the song is simply a love story, a boy and a girl wanting to move away together, leaving their past behind. However, upon further investigation and a more inquisitive ear you begin to notice there is more then that going on. The girl Mary isn't as pure and innocent as the heroines of love songs often are. Instead she is said to have almost grown out of her small town, 'There were ghosts in the eye's of all the boys you sent away'. Meeaning that she had experienced enough small town boys with small town mentality. She saw the new man as her last chance of escape as he too shares her want to escape and live in a new and exciting world. The young man himself is shown to be ready to leave. 'It's a town full of losers, and i'm pulling out of here to win'. The impression givin of him is that he is a musician who's ability as a guitar player ('Well i got this guitar, and i learned how to make it talk') are what is going to see him a success. Of course whether his dreams do come true and him and 'Mary' reach their big city lives and escape the shackles of small town American is unknown, and it'll never be known, but her elies the appeal of the song. It could all end in failure. Like real life, it is understood that no amount of planning and hope can get you were you want to be, the city can smallow up and chew out young couples trying to make their move from the country, and only exceeptional talents or luck will see a musician make it, and stand out from the crowd.

Whether or not Springsteen's hero and his lover ever made it is a great mystery, we hope they do, but in the sad event that it failed, that they didn't achieve what they set out to do, and they returned to their old town, atleast we know they tried. They gave it their best effor. And in doing so, gave us one o the best songs ever written. A modern masterpiece, that will hopefully one day recieve the recognition that it so deserves.

I'll be talkin to ya xxx

Cryin'

'There was a time
When I was so brokenhearted
Love wasn't much of a friend of mine
The tables have turned - yeah
'Cause me and them ways have parted
That kinda love was the killin' kind
(so listen)

All I want is someone I can't resist
I know - all I - need to know
By the way that I got kissed

I was Cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet misery
I was Cryin' just to get you
Now I'm dyin' 'cause I let you
Do what you do down on me

Now there's not even breathing room
Between pleasure and pain
Yeah you cry when we're makin' love
Must be one and the same

It's down on me
Yeah, I got to tell you one thing
It's been on my mind, girl I gotta say
We're partners in crime
You got that certain something
What you do to me takes my breath away

Now the word out on the street
Is the devil's in your kiss
If our love goes up in flames
It's a fire I can't resist

I was Cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet misery
I was Cryin' just to get you
Now I'm dyin' 'cause I let you
Do what you do to me

'Cause what you got inside
Ain't where your love should stay
Yeah, our love, sweet love, ain't love
'Til you give your heart away

I was Cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet misery
I was Cryin' just to get you
Now I'm DYYYIIIIINNNN' to let you
Do what you do, what you do down on me
Baby, baby, baby


I was Cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet misery
I was Cryin' when I met you
Now I'm dyin' 'cause I let you
Do what you do down to, down to, down to

I was cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet misery'

- Aerosmith

I'll Be Talkin To Ya xx

Cryin'

'There was a time
When I was so brokenhearted
Love wasn't much of a friend of mine
The tables have turned - yeah
'Cause me and them ways have parted
That kinda love was the killin' kind
(so listen)

All I want is someone I can't resist
I know - all I - need to know
By the way that I got kissed

I was Cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet misery
I was Cryin' just to get you
Now I'm dyin' 'cause I let you
Do what you do down on me

Now there's not even breathing room
Between pleasure and pain
Yeah you cry when we're makin' love
Must be one and the same

It's down on me
Yeah, I got to tell you one thing
It's been on my mind, girl I gotta say
We're partners in crime
You got that certain something
What you do to me takes my breath away

Now the word out on the street
Is the devil's in your kiss
If our love goes up in flames
It's a fire I can't resist

I was Cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet misery
I was Cryin' just to get you
Now I'm dyin' 'cause I let you
Do what you do to me

'Cause what you got inside
Ain't where your love should stay
Yeah, our love, sweet love, ain't love
'Til you give your heart away

I was Cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet misery
I was Cryin' just to get you
Now I'm DYYYIIIIINNNN' to let you
Do what you do, what you do down on me
Baby, baby, baby


I was Cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet misery
I was Cryin' when I met you
Now I'm dyin' 'cause I let you
Do what you do down to, down to, down to

I was cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet misery'

- Aerosmith

I'll Be Talkin To Ya xx

Dancing With Myself

It's a funny thing this, but i'd go with it being completely true. That old sayin y'know, wait long enough for something then a whole bunch come at once. This is mostly used in regards to buses but let's look past that for just a moment shall we. It's like everytime is the same. There is a lull, a little down period, when my options are pretty much non-existant, and yeah sure that's really shitty, but it doesn't bother me to much becuase i'm not really thinking about it, you just get on with things. But then suddenly out of nowere you find yourself surrounded by potential and that is great, yeah sure, but it's also extremelly difficult.

So at this point in time, i'm not entirely sure were my heads at, the last two weeks have been strange, i've been feeling like crap basicly and to lift myself out of that i've done my usual and put on the act and tried to pretend i'm not caring. That is a lie. But during this period of time i've learned a few things, which i'm kinda surprised about, and make me feel prety good to be truthful. As it turns out now is one of those time, there are more than a few buses i could catch, it's all just a question of which one. And that's the tricky part.

Some would require some work on my part, basicly in terms of just building up something cause theirs isn't any real history, just a a notion and one event, others are fucked before it can even begin, some would be possible but maybe not a priority, it's confusing ! Most importantly here i think is what do i want exactly. I need to work that out first and foremost. Because i need to be sure i'm not gettign into something that i'm not comfortable with. It's not the catching the bus that i find hard y'see, that's never been an issue, it's staying on the bus, and not making a total mess of it. See i'm now back to a point were i actually think i could go for something proper. I'm aware that it'll take time but i'm positive, i just need to know if anybody is willing. What's most weird is the fact that one night/morning has thrown all my plans into complete dissaray, as my priorities could well have changed, but i'm not sure, it'll not be as easy as it seems in my head.

But yeah, it's unusual but at this very moment i'm feeling generally good about things, i'm just really gonna try hard to not be a dick and i'm hoping that something worthwihle might come from it. Something that i'm pretty sure i'm now ready for. I hope. It's funny that all it takes is one thing to completely lift me again, i'm feeling better now than in a long, long time. And i like that ! So i suppose in a weird way, even if it's never more then the nothing that it probably was, someone has really helped me, and i just wish i could thank them for it, but they'll never know, as i've not got the bottle to say, and i suppose it wouldn't make a differance, but it's good, i'm good. And i'm rather pleased with it all. Now i've just got to make a few little decisions. This is bound to be a laugh, watch this space...

I'll be talkin to ya xx

Dancing With Myself

It's a funny thing this, but i'd go with it being completely true. That old sayin y'know, wait long enough for something then a whole bunch come at once. This is mostly used in regards to buses but let's look past that for just a moment shall we. It's like everytime is the same. There is a lull, a little down period, when my options are pretty much non-existant, and yeah sure that's really shitty, but it doesn't bother me to much becuase i'm not really thinking about it, you just get on with things. But then suddenly out of nowere you find yourself surrounded by potential and that is great, yeah sure, but it's also extremelly difficult.

So at this point in time, i'm not entirely sure were my heads at, the last two weeks have been strange, i've been feeling like crap basicly and to lift myself out of that i've done my usual and put on the act and tried to pretend i'm not caring. That is a lie. But during this period of time i've learned a few things, which i'm kinda surprised about, and make me feel prety good to be truthful. As it turns out now is one of those time, there are more than a few buses i could catch, it's all just a question of which one. And that's the tricky part.

Some would require some work on my part, basicly in terms of just building up something cause theirs isn't any real history, just a a notion and one event, others are fucked before it can even begin, some would be possible but maybe not a priority, it's confusing ! Most importantly here i think is what do i want exactly. I need to work that out first and foremost. Because i need to be sure i'm not gettign into something that i'm not comfortable with. It's not the catching the bus that i find hard y'see, that's never been an issue, it's staying on the bus, and not making a total mess of it. See i'm now back to a point were i actually think i could go for something proper. I'm aware that it'll take time but i'm positive, i just need to know if anybody is willing. What's most weird is the fact that one night/morning has thrown all my plans into complete dissaray, as my priorities could well have changed, but i'm not sure, it'll not be as easy as it seems in my head.

But yeah, it's unusual but at this very moment i'm feeling generally good about things, i'm just really gonna try hard to not be a dick and i'm hoping that something worthwihle might come from it. Something that i'm pretty sure i'm now ready for. I hope. It's funny that all it takes is one thing to completely lift me again, i'm feeling better now than in a long, long time. And i like that ! So i suppose in a weird way, even if it's never more then the nothing that it probably was, someone has really helped me, and i just wish i could thank them for it, but they'll never know, as i've not got the bottle to say, and i suppose it wouldn't make a differance, but it's good, i'm good. And i'm rather pleased with it all. Now i've just got to make a few little decisions. This is bound to be a laugh, watch this space...

I'll be talkin to ya xx

November Rain

When I look into your eyes
I can see a love restrained
But darlin' when I hold you
Don't you know I feel the same
'Cause nothin' lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain
We've been through this such a long long time
Just tryin' to kill the pain
But lovers always come and lovers always go
An no one's really sure who's lettin' go today
Walking away
If we could take the time to lay it on the line
I could rest my head
Just knowin' that you were mine
All mine
So if you want to love me
then darlin' don't refrain
Or I'll just end up walkin'
In the cold November rain

Do you need some time...on your own
Do you need some time...all alone
Everybody needs some time...on their own
Don't you know you need some time...all alone
I know it's hard to keep an open heart
When even friends seem out to harm you
But if you could heal a broken heart
Wouldn't time be out to charm you

Sometimes I need some time...on my
own Sometimes I need some time...all alone
Everybody needs some time...on their own
Don't you know you need some time...all alone

And when your fears subside
And shadows still remain, ohhh yeahhh
I know that you can love me
When there's no one left to blame
So never mind the darkness
We still can find a way
'Cause nothin' lasts forever
Even cold November rain


Don't ya think that you need somebody
Don't ya think that you need someone
Everybody needs somebody
You're not the only one
You're not the only one


One of the most epic songs ever writtten. Stunning...

I'll Be Talkin To Yaa xx