Four years ago, I spent more than a few hours listening to ‘Stereo’ through my headphones in the back yard, usually around dusk, drinking Johnny
I’ve been epically wrong at times as to understanding just what some of
Yes. Yes. And, yes.
Who knew that parties and social events could change from being life-sustaining to annoying as hell, that nine o’clock on a Friday night would be a great time to be on your couch, that a nap on a quiet afternoon could be positively delicious? With each passing year, your expectations get lower but the simple joys grow higher. The reality of life settles on you, and your plans to set the world on fire (if I can crib from another album) are revealed to be little but youthful idealism. And you realize that all of that is . . . okay. Tripping outside to ‘play’ with my wife is about as high as my ambitions get nowadays.
Maybe I’m way off base about the song. Maybe you think I need to go to work for Hallmark. But these days I’m content to be boring. And when I glance in the mirror? I still look a little afraid.
That song has been true for me since the first time I heard it. I don’t whether to laugh or cry aout it. Laugh probably. I’ll be 48 in 2 days and I won’t cry about that either.
It is a worthy song but I dig how it could also be an ode to suburb complacency and depression. “No longer lead, you just let things happen.” What’s always interesting about PW’s songwriting is his ability to load a lovely melody with these unsettling lines.
funny, that is the ONE song on stereo/mono that i nearly always skip. there is something about it… maybe i’m scared of it…
Great piece of writing, PZP. I’m about to turn 32, and I agree with just about everything you said wholeheartedly.