Then a friend goes ahead and steals my thunder by posting the video, and now I'm posting as if to say, "Wait! Wait! I wanted to post on that one, you only barely beat me to the punch." I sent her a text message expressing my dismay at how inconsiderate she was to do so, but somehow I don't think she's penitent. I'll get over it.
I don't know their particular inspiration for the song (I've read speculation that it's inspired by the couple's recently attained parenthood), but listening to it, I find it calming and assuring. It carries themes of learning to navigate your course, and when it seems there are no more signs to direct you, you choose a direction and venture on. It speaks to me of realizing that no matter how fondly you may look back on a time or a place, or how comfortable it seems, you simply can't return to the past, so your ever-present choice is to move forward, knowing someone is always near, and to make a future to which you can one day look back fondly.
Can't Go Back Now, by The Weepies
Yesterday, when you were young,
Everything you needed done was done for you.
Now you do it on your own
But you find you're all alone,
What can you do?
You and me walk on
Cause you can't go back now.
You know there will be days when you're so tired that you can't take another step,
The night will have no stars and you'll think you've gone as far as you will ever get
But you and me walk on
Cause you can't go back now
And yeah, yeah, go where you want to go
Be what you want to be,
If you ever turn around, you'll see me.
I can't really say why everybody wishes they were somewhere else
But in the end, the only steps that matter are the ones you take all by yourself
And you and me walk on
Yeah you and me walk on
Cause you can't go back now
Walk on, walk on, walk on
You can't go back now
3 comments:
I didn't read your friend's post, so it was new to me. Either way, you bring a fresh perspective, so don't worry that someone else is stealing your thunder. Your thunder is too unique to steal ;)
That said, I'm really glad you wrote about this. I feel like I can relate to the song in ways you didn't mention though. I like the fact that this song openly acknowledges that tough times will come. And right now, it does feel (literally and figuratively) like there are no stars and this is as far as I'll ever get. And yet- at a time when it's easiest to give up or turn back, this song is consoling- it encourages us to "walk on", keep going, to find comfort in knowing someone's got our back... I like that.
Yeah, I also appreciate the tough times aspect (evidenced perhaps too subtly by my implication that longing for the "comfortable" past indicates an uncomfortable path ahead).
Tarantula-hunting epiphanies have reminded me, when feelings of despair begin to set in, to remember that my future (whether a relationship, profession, influence on the world, or whatever) is as bleak as I allow it to be by my actions and my attitudes. Trite maybe, but empowering at times.
It's only empowering insofar as you have the self-confidence and clarity of mind to take ownership of your own destiny. In times when those virtues are severely lacking, however, it is a blessing to have others (friends, family, significant others) who can be of comfort and help you move forward.
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