This week’s song choice is a dedication to a couple friends of mine who are making big, life-changing decisions. Good luck ladies!
Guster is one of my all-time favorite bands. I find their music funky, fun, inspiring and smart. Though I love so many of their songs, "Parachute" is at the top of that list. Not only is the music great, but the words are perfect. They fill me with strength and security.
Not only is Parachute the name of a song, it’s also the name of the album. Wikipedia states, “Parachute was the first album released by the band Guster. The album was mostly recorded in 1994…” The group was in college at the time, and they wrote these songs in their dorm rooms. For more information, go to wikipedia.org or Guster’s website at guster.com.
What do the words say to you? You may have to read them a few times–there’s so much there!
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Parachute by Guster
There we stand about to fly.
Peeking down over land
Parachute behind.
What was that moment for which we live?
Without a parachute about to dive
I find myself convincing.
Blindly falling faster
How easy!
Know the place I’m leaving
And the rest just is gone!
Oh the adoration!
But how much strength does it take?
For exploration?
For split decision?
Or are you stronger to remain?
I find myself convincing
Blindly falling faster
How easy!
Know the place I’m leaving
And the rest is just gone!
It crept up on me–
Ignored all my pleas
Begging to leave
No justice to name me.
Fell out of the sky
Cease it to be
Without a reply
Gravity fails me!
And when I awoke
I knew what was real.
Hope to convince you.
Lies they all torture me.
Opened the door
Knew what was me.
I finally realized
Parachute over me!
Parachute over me!
*Lyrics provided by www.azlyrics.com
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What/who is your parachute? Where do you feel comfort and support–is it a place, with a loved one, or doing something on your own? Do you remember a time in your life when things seemed scary? Or thrilling? Do you like the song?
This week’s challenge: Do something exciting! You don’t have to go sky diving, but try a new restaurant, or go on a road trip, or attempt a new sport. If you already have too much excitement going on in your life, then attempt to be someone else’s parachute this week.
To hear the song, click on the link from YouTube below:
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Stephanie
4 comments:
Great great song! I only knew of Guster until I met you, now, of course, I'm familiar with the band's music, and I find their music to be complex, well-written and uplifting. Parachute is no exception!
I think there are a few different ways to interpret this, to me though it's about finding your passion and having the courage to follow it. To go after that which you are passionate about—to leap and not worry about landing or whether you're wearing a parachute. And then to realize that when you're being true to yourself, and following your love or fighting for what you believe in, you'll find that you may not always land where you want but you'll always land on your feet.
That's why I think at the end of the song the songwriter(s) write that they opened the door, "knew what was me," and suddenly there's a parachute above me. I'm paraphrasing, but that last stanza to me was saying trust that the parachute's there, because when you're being true to yourself then you are your parachute.
Regardless of how people choose to interpret it, what I think is amazing is that such smart and mature lyrics were written by these guys when they were still in college!
Great choice honey, I love this song!
Oh and one other thing: For the exciting thing I'm going to do this week it's this—have one night where I do nothing! That or take you somewhere new for dinner. ;-)
Wow, I love this song, especially the lyrics...though the determination comes across in the music, and seems to build with the song. This song reminds me of Firefall or Boz Scaggs...easy to listen and sing to.
I agree with Seth that there are several ways to interpret the lyrics...love it when a writer allows our minds to flex.
I tend to relate the meaning to a fear of stepping out and taking a chance, or a risk if you will. Feeling a passion or drive to do something different - to take a new course; anticipating the change, yet feeling apprehensive at the same time.
Some have said that I have taken risks in with my work by changing positions a few times in the past five years. Though the changes have come with promotions, change itself can make one look less stable. It took a lot of determination to make a change after spending seventeen years in one position; some say they admire that I took the risk, and that they wish that they too could step out.
When all is said and done - there are days that I long for the previous environment (parachute) where I had confidence and "all the answers," yet I so enjoy the challenges that the new horizons provide. Jill
Yes, a great song. I don't remember hearing it before. Sean Lennon has one by the same title. I agree with what Artistic Mercenary said. I have been in that plane, ready to step out into nothing. Ready for the rush. And I have been in that position metaphorically with big decisions. I know someone always has my parachute. God. Family. Friends. It gives you strength and confidence knowing that. And I love your comment. Maybe if I don't need a parachute right now, I can still be one for someone else! That's the best.
I believe the writer of this song had a specific thing in mind. Something he/she had been through or was about to go through. A great song for anyone to listen to who has a leap of faith to take.
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