Ride

Sometimes it doesn't matter
Whether you like it or not
Stuck there on the back burner
Watching someone else get hot
Standing in the shadows
Where the spotlight doesn't shine
Doing nothing
Just there doing time

Sometimes it makes no difference
If you're ready to go on
Dressed up like a monkey
With your dignity half gone
Standing in the spotlight
No one else there by your side
Nothing doing
Nothing to decide

You just gotta ride
Ride and keep your hands and arms inside
You just gotta ride
It's the only way to get to the other side

Sometimes it seems so crazy
Like you've plumb run out of sense
Stuck there in the middle
Wonderin' which side of the fence
Leaning to the future
Sitting on experience
Doing nothing
Living life past tense

Sometimes it makes no difference
Doesn't matter how you choose
Either way is trouble,
You might be singing the blues
Standing at the crossroads
becoming yesterday's news
Nothing doing
It's past time to cruise

You just gotta ride
Ride and keep your hands and arms inside
You just gotta ride
Keep moving if you still want to survive

Yes, it's true the road can go both ways
What leads in, leads out, and nothing stays;
No use thinking that you'll never move;
you'll be on the road one of these days.

You just gotta ride
Ride and keep your hands and arms inside
You just gotta ride
If you want to get to the other side
If you want come along, you'd better decide
Hold on tight, and just enjoy
the ride.

27 DEC 2006

I've been listening to The Band almost non-stop today, digging the groove on "Chest Fever" from their first album, and hearing drum beats that sounds like a cross between Levon Helm and John Bonham. Also, thinking of that Sheryl Crow song "Steve McQueen". The chorus is pure groove and singalong, while the verses pull you back, with a stop-step.

The line "stuck on the back burner, watching someone else get hot" really was the impetus for the rest of it; that and a couple of fruitless hours bitching to myself about the possibilities in this here small town for any real musical adventure, philosophical or otherwise. What's the use? Shut up and ride. Life is (and I think some of you older folk can relate, because they don't rate 'em like this anymore) an E Ticket attraction; hence, the admonition to keep your appendages inside the ride at all times. Or, to quote stardances: don't wiggle or jiggle the baby; the baby might throw up.