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David Wilhite is a part-time writer of fiction, humor, satire, and editorials;
and a full-time political critic. The content of this web site represents his views,
and his alone. Friends and family will, no doubt, keep their distance from
any sentiment expressed here.
— Lyrics —
I like music. Sometimes I find the lyrics to be especially
meaningful, and want to point them out.
Title: Deacon Blues
Author: Steely Dan
Category: Lyrics Article: lyrics/006-DeaconBlues
Posted Date: 19-Apr-2008 Created Date: 1977
David's Comments: Have I ever mentioned that I really, really like the lyrics of Steely Dan? :) I'm feeling these lyrics right now. They're from the Aja album.
Reader Comments: none
Author: Steely Dan
Category: Lyrics Article: lyrics/006-DeaconBlues
Posted Date: 19-Apr-2008 Created Date: 1977
David's Comments: Have I ever mentioned that I really, really like the lyrics of Steely Dan? :) I'm feeling these lyrics right now. They're from the Aja album.
Reader Comments: none
Add your comments via e-mail: comments@DavidWilhite.com
Deacon Blues
Steely Dan, 1977
This is the day
of the expanding man.
That shape is my shade,
there where I used to stand.
It seems like only yesterday
I gazed through the glass
at ramblers,
wild gamblers.
That's all in the past.
You call me a fool;
you say it's a crazy scheme.
This one's for real;
I already bought the dream.
So useless to ask me why.
Throw a kiss and say goodbye.
I'll make it this time.
I'm ready to cross that fine line.
CHORUS:
(I'll) learn to work the saxophone,
I'll play just what I feel.
Drink Scotch whiskey all night long,
and die behind the wheel.
They got a name for the winners in the world;
I want a name when I lose.
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide;
call me Deacon Blues.
My back to the wall,
a victim of laughing chance.
This is for me:
the essence of true romance.
Sharing the things we know and love
with those of my kind:
libations,
sensations
that stagger the mind.
I crawl like a viper
through these suburban streets,
make love to these women,
languid and bittersweet.
I'll rise when the sun goes down,
cover every game in town.
A world of my own:
I'll make it my home sweet home.
[chorus]
This is the night
of the expanding man.
I take one last drag
as I approach the stand.
I cried when I wrote this song;
sue me if I play too long.
This brother is free.
I'll be what I want to be.
[chorus]
Title: Spinning Wheel
Author: Blood, Sweat and Tears
Category: Lyrics Article: lyrics/005-SpinningWheel
Posted Date: 11-Jan-2007 Created Date: 1969
David's Comments: Positive developments in my life have brought answers to some of my cynical questions.
Reader Comments: none
Author: Blood, Sweat and Tears
Category: Lyrics Article: lyrics/005-SpinningWheel
Posted Date: 11-Jan-2007 Created Date: 1969
David's Comments: Positive developments in my life have brought answers to some of my cynical questions.
Reader Comments: none
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I think I finally got the message:
On a spinning wheel, what goes up must come down. But by the nature of the
circle, what has gone down also comes back up. I'm still learning the
lesson: stay on the spinning wheel ride; you can't just sit, it requires
effort to stay on; enjoy the good stuff while it lasts, even knowing that it
won't last forever; and don't sweat the bad stuff because it won't last
forever either.
Spinning Wheel by Blood, Sweat & Tears:
What goes up must come down.
Spinning wheel got to go 'round.
Talkin' 'bout your troubles, it's a cryin' sin.
Ride a painted pony; let the spinning wheel spin.
You got no money and you ... you got no home.
Spinning wheel all alone.
Talkin' 'bout your troubles and you ... you never learn.
Ride a painted pony; let the spinning wheel turn.
Did you find a directing sign on the straight and narrow highway?
Would you mind a reflecting sign?
Just let it shine within your mind,
and show you the colors that are real.
and show you the colors that are real.
Someone is waiting just for you.
Spinning wheel spinning true.
Drop all your troubles by the riverside.
Catch a painted pony on the spinning wheel ride.
[instrumental]
Someone's waiting just for you.
Spinning wheel spinning true.
Drop all your troubles by the riverside.
Ride a painted pony; let the spinning wheel fly.
Title: In The Stone
Author: Earth, Wind & Fire
Category: Lyrics Article: lyrics/004-InTheStone
Posted Date: 23-Jul-2006 Created Date: 1979
David's Comments: Despite my best attempts at pessimism and gloom, hope truly does spring eternal from somewhere inside me. My chronic optimism keeps returning me to some upbeat music favorites. Earth, Wind & Fire has a lot of sunny tunes and lyrics. In The Stone is one of the best.
Reader Comments: none
Author: Earth, Wind & Fire
Category: Lyrics Article: lyrics/004-InTheStone
Posted Date: 23-Jul-2006 Created Date: 1979
David's Comments: Despite my best attempts at pessimism and gloom, hope truly does spring eternal from somewhere inside me. My chronic optimism keeps returning me to some upbeat music favorites. Earth, Wind & Fire has a lot of sunny tunes and lyrics. In The Stone is one of the best.
Reader Comments: none
Add your comments via e-mail: comments@DavidWilhite.com
From In The Stone on the I Am album, by Earth, Wind & Fire:
Do you believe, my friend, in what you claim:
people of the world all doubt the same,
bringing questions of their own.
people of the world all doubt the same,
bringing questions of their own.
Truth is written in the stone.
In the stone you'll find the meaning,
you're not standing tall.
you're not standing tall.
In the stone the light is shining,
ever touching all.
ever touching all.
[...]
Deep inside your heart, you're to keep,
lies a spark of light that never sleeps,
the greatest love you've ever known.
lies a spark of light that never sleeps,
the greatest love you've ever known.
Love is written in the stone.
The full lyrics:
I found that love provides the key,
unlocks the heart and souls of you and me.
unlocks the heart and souls of you and me.
Love will learn to sing your song.
Love is written in the stone.
Every man I meet is walking time,
free to wonder, past his conscious mind.
free to wonder, past his conscious mind.
Love will come, and take you home.
Love is written in the stone.
Do you believe, my friend, in what you claim:
people of the world all doubt the same,
bringing questions of their own.
people of the world all doubt the same,
bringing questions of their own.
Truth is written in the stone.
In the stone you'll find the meaning,
you're not standing tall.
you're not standing tall.
In the stone the light is shining,
ever touching all.
ever touching all.
Life experience a passing day.
Time will witness what those old folks say.
Getting stronger every day.
Strength is written in the stone.
Deep inside your heart, you're to keep,
lies a spark of light that never sleeps,
the greatest love you've ever known.
lies a spark of light that never sleeps,
the greatest love you've ever known.
Love is written in the stone.
In the stone you'll find the meaning,
you're not standing tall.
you're not standing tall.
In the stone the light is shining,
ever touching all.
ever touching all.
Never, never my darling,
never you'll be alone.
never you'll be alone.
Ever, forever my darling,
true love is written in the stone.
true love is written in the stone.
Title: Your Gold Teeth II
Author: Steely Dan
Category: Lyrics Article: lyrics/003-YourGoldTeethII
Posted Date: 07-Jul-2006 Created Date: 1975
David's Comments: Here are some more poetic lyrics brimming with imagery, from Steely Dan's Katy Lied album.
Reader Comments: none
Author: Steely Dan
Category: Lyrics Article: lyrics/003-YourGoldTeethII
Posted Date: 07-Jul-2006 Created Date: 1975
David's Comments: Here are some more poetic lyrics brimming with imagery, from Steely Dan's Katy Lied album.
Reader Comments: none
Add your comments via e-mail: comments@DavidWilhite.com
Your Gold Teeth II
Steely Dan, 1975
Who are these children who scheme and run wild?
... who speak with their wings and the way that they smile?
What are the secrets they trace in the sky?
And why do you tremble each time they ride by?
Throw out your gold teeth and see how they roll.
The answer they reveal: life is unreal.
Who are these strangers who pass through the door?
... who cover your action and go you one more?
If you're feeling lucky, you best not refuse.
It's your game, the rules are your own, win or lose.
Throw out your gold teeth and see how they roll.
The answer they reveal: life is unreal.
[instrumental]
Throw out your gold teeth and see how they roll.
The answer they reveal: life is unreal.
Title: Wish You Were Here
Author: Pink Floyd
Category: Lyrics Article: lyrics/002-WishYouWereHere
Posted Date: 24-Jun-2006 Created Date: unknown
David's Comments: I am Olympian calibre in the sport of Second Guessing. Why do bad things happen to good people? Perhaps the same reason that growth is often painful.
Reader Comments: none
Author: Pink Floyd
Category: Lyrics Article: lyrics/002-WishYouWereHere
Posted Date: 24-Jun-2006 Created Date: unknown
David's Comments: I am Olympian calibre in the sport of Second Guessing. Why do bad things happen to good people? Perhaps the same reason that growth is often painful.
Reader Comments: none
Add your comments via e-mail: comments@DavidWilhite.com
From the title cut off the Wish You Were Here album:
Did you exchange
a walk-on part in the war
for a lead role in a cage?
The full lyrics:
So ...
So you think you can tell
heaven from hell,
blue skys from pain.
Can you tell a green field
from a cold steel rail?
a smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
Did they get you to trade
your heros for ghosts?
hot ashes for trees?
hot air for a cool breeze?
cold comfort for change?
Did you exchange
a walk on part in the war
for a lead role in a cage?
How I wish ...
How I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl,
year after year.
Running over the same old ground.
And have we found the same old fears?
Wish you were here.
The Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part I-V) cut of the same album is a source of dark optimism:
Remember when you were young,
you shone like the sun.
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
Now there’s a look in your eyes,
like black holes in the sky.
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
You were caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom,
blown on the Steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter.
Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon,
you tried for the moon.
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
Threatened by shadows at night,
and exposed in the light.
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your welcome with random precision,
rode on the Steel breeze.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!
It continues in Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part VI-IX):
Nobody knows where you are,
how near or how far.
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
Pile on many more layers,
and I'll be joining you there.
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
And we'll bask in the shadow of yesterday's triumph,
sail on the steel breeze.
Come on you boy child, you winner and loser.
Come on you miner for truth and delusion, and shine!
# # #
Did you exchange
a walk-on part in the war
for a lead role in a cage?
The full lyrics:
So ...
So you think you can tell
heaven from hell,
blue skys from pain.
Can you tell a green field
from a cold steel rail?
a smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
Did they get you to trade
your heros for ghosts?
hot ashes for trees?
hot air for a cool breeze?
cold comfort for change?
Did you exchange
a walk on part in the war
for a lead role in a cage?
How I wish ...
How I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl,
year after year.
Running over the same old ground.
And have we found the same old fears?
Wish you were here.
The Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part I-V) cut of the same album is a source of dark optimism:
Remember when you were young,
you shone like the sun.
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
Now there’s a look in your eyes,
like black holes in the sky.
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
You were caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom,
blown on the Steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter.
Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon,
you tried for the moon.
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
Threatened by shadows at night,
and exposed in the light.
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your welcome with random precision,
rode on the Steel breeze.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!
It continues in Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part VI-IX):
Nobody knows where you are,
how near or how far.
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
Pile on many more layers,
and I'll be joining you there.
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
And we'll bask in the shadow of yesterday's triumph,
sail on the steel breeze.
Come on you boy child, you winner and loser.
Come on you miner for truth and delusion, and shine!
Title: Black Friday
Author: Steely Dan
Category: Lyrics Article: lyrics/001-BlackFriday
Posted Date: 23-May-2006 Created Date: 1975
David's Comments: Steely Dan is one of my favorite musical groups. I like the musical style, and I love the poetry of the lyrics. This is just the first little stanza of Black Friday from the Katy Lied album. There is almost as much to read between the lines as in them.
Reader Comments: none
Author: Steely Dan
Category: Lyrics Article: lyrics/001-BlackFriday
Posted Date: 23-May-2006 Created Date: 1975
David's Comments: Steely Dan is one of my favorite musical groups. I like the musical style, and I love the poetry of the lyrics. This is just the first little stanza of Black Friday from the Katy Lied album. There is almost as much to read between the lines as in them.
Reader Comments: none
Add your comments via e-mail: comments@DavidWilhite.com
When Black Friday comes,
I'll stand down by the door
and catch the grey men when they
dive from the fourteenth floor.
I'll stand down by the door
and catch the grey men when they
dive from the fourteenth floor.
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Pages on this website have been read 100441* times, by 44936* individuals.
This page has been read 1618* times, by 961* individuals.
Readership During Jan 2009:
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This page was read 70* times, by 56* individuals.
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