Take This Tune

Posted: Monday, March 01, 2010 by Travis Cody in
11



Take This Tune is a feature hosted by my pal Jamie at Duward Discussion. Jamie puts up a video prompt complete with lyrics to the song, and the task is to write something inspired by the title of the song or something in the lyrics.

I really enjoy participating in Jamie's feature because of where the prompts take my thoughts and emotions. This week's prompt is the theme song from the program Saving Grace, airing on TNT.

The music of the Beach Boys is some of my all time favorite. Most people know their early surfing tunes, and I certainly like those. But I sometimes prefer the less commercially successful work the band did. The song that came to mind for this week's prompt is Long Promised Road. It was written by Carl Wilson with Jack Rieley, initially released as a single in May 1971 and also appeared on the album Surf's Up.

The message in the lyric is that facing life's challenges takes dedication and focus. Things get difficult for everyone at one time or another, and things aren't always going to go our way. But we can make progress if we hang in and keep working.



So hard to answer future's riddle
When ahead is seeming so far behind
So hard to laugh a child-like giggle
When the tears start to torture my mind
So hard to shed the life of before
To let my soul automatically soar

But I hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roaddblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down

Sew up the wounds of evolution
And the now starts to get in my way
So what if life's a revelation
If the mind speaks of only today
So real, the pain growing in my soul
Of climbing up to reality's goal

But I hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roaddblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down

Long promised road
Trail starts at dawn
Carries on to the season's ending
Long promised road
Flows to the source, gentle force, never ending, never ending

So hard to lift the jeweled sceptre
When the weight turns a smile to a frown
So hard to drink of passion nectar
When the taste of life's holding me down
So hard to plant the seed of reform
To set my sights on defeating the storm

So I hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roaddblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down

Oh, yeah-eah-eah-eah

Hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roaddblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down

Oh, yeah-eah-eah-eah

Hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roaddblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down

I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you

11 comments:

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  1. Akelamalu says:

    Oh the Beach Boys bring back so many memories of my youth! My all time favourite track is Cotton Fields. :)

  1. I remember first listening to the Beach Boys on an 8 track tape.

  1. That was a truly powerful song and one I hadn't heard before. Thank you for adding your wonderful ideas to Take This Tune.

  1. Inspirational lyrics I needed to hear today. Thank you!

  1. Oh Lord. Charles has mentioned 8 track tapes. Now I know I am old.

  1. You know Travis, I so agree that the little know songs from this talented group of writers and musicians are some of the best. It can't all be about little duece coupes.

  1. Akelamalu: I like that your favorite is a non-standard tune!

    Charles: I'm fairly certain I had a few Beach Boys 8 tracks myself.

    Jamie: The collection of songs on Surf's Up is full of power and beauty.

    Mimi: Not old...well seasoned.

    V: There was some real friction within the band about the direction to take...whether to stay with those tried & true tunes or to expand creatively. The rifts contributed to Brian's psychological problems in the 70's. I love the old stuff from the 60's, but the alternative music is fantastic.

  1. So are you weirded out a little bit by the dancers they announced? I think that I might have to watch it just to see how they interact with each other!

  1. I've cut a rug or two dancing to the Beach Boys!
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