Happy Friday (a little early).....

[Railyn]

I've been spending a lot of time at church lately, as there have been a lot of activities that I have been involved in, or got talked in to. This weekend, our pastor becomes officially ordained, and we've been invited to the ceremony. I think it should prove to be fairly interesting.

So anyway, I guess indirectly I've been in a bit of a spiritual mood. I'm not one for Contemporary Christian - I have absolutely nothing against it, but it just doesn't appeal to me. I prefer to find the spirituality of popular music - and it's out there.

This song has always been a favorite of mine, but I've never really listened to the words until the other day, when I was concentrating, and it came on radionigel.com. I have no idea if they intended it to sound as it does, or if I'm reading more in to it. At least to me, I found it a perfect fit for my mood. I guarantee you most likely know this song, even if the title doesn't strike you. It's been in enough movies and commercials over the years. I've included a link to a clip:

SOLSBURY HILL
By: Peter Gabriel
Album: N/A - released as a single - 1977
Author: P. Gabriel?? (His website is very hard to navigate)

Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night
He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing stretching every nerve
Had to listen had no choice
I did not believe the information
(I) just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom boom boom
"Son," he said "Grab your things,
I've come to take you home."

To keepin' silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut
So I went from day to day
Tho' my life was in a rut
"Till I thought of what I'd say
Which connection I should cut
I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart going boom boom boom
"Hey" he said "Grab your things
I've come to take you home."
(Back home.)

When illusion spin her net
I'm never where I want to be
And liberty she pirouette
When I think that I am free
Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes but still can see
No on taught them etiquette
I will show another me
Today I don't need a replacement
I'll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart going boom boom boom
"Hey" I said "You can keep my things,
they've come to take me home."

My Opinion In A Nutshell: Whether it was intended to be a little on the spiritual side or not, I love the song, and the sound of it. Here's the link: www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000DZ3EA/qid=1118368668/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-0396422-6402416?v=glance&s=music

Favorite Line (sort of): the entire second verse

And I might as well dedicate this one to Pastor Jim, as he embarks on his journey this weekend. It kind of fits.


**Ok, I did a little digging, and the consensus out there is that this song at it's core is about Peter's decision to leave Genesis and go out on his own. However, it's crux is about making a life-changing personal decision, which goes back to what I said all along. Like a true songwriter, when asked, Peter has given a few different answers over the years, and they're always vague, but it's always been my belief that there's a personal story attached to many songs, but unless they're telling you the specific story, it's what you make of it.**

[heyabbott]

This is one of my favourite Peter Gabriel songs. It always seems to fill me with a peaceful sense when I hear it. Perhaps I am just interpreting a deeper meaning, but I absolutely love to hear it.

[Railyn]

heyabbott said:

This is one of my favourite Peter Gabriel songs. It always seems to fill me with a peaceful sense when I hear it. Perhaps I am just interpreting a deeper meaning, but I absolutely love to hear it.

You and I are on the same page. All through the interesting (and very hot - no a/c and several thousand people in a gym) ordination service, it kept running through my head. Then at this morning's (again hot - full house and a/c wasn't set properly) service, Pastor Jim tearfully talked about his decision to become a minister, and how people thought he was crazy, and some turned their back on him - it was eerie.

Like I said, personally, unless a songwriter relates a specific story to you, it's what you make of it. I'm not saying that Peter Gabriel intended this to be overly spiritual, but it's what I (and apparently you) made of it, and it works.