Soundtrack of My Life

Song: All Uncovered
Artists: The Watchmen
Album: In The Trees (1994)

You know when you're flipping through your CD collection and you come across a random disc by a band you had long since forgotten? That's me with The Watchmen.

They're never a band that remains at the forefront of my memory, but every time I see their disc in my CD collection, I instantly grab it and throw on this track because I absolutely love it.

I actually stole this CD. Well, maybe borrowed is a better word, as it was the property of my friend Thom Loik back in university and he lent it to me so I could listen to this song (on repeat for days on end at one time) and then he never asked for it back. Or I never gave it to him. Whatever.

The point is, this song was awesome to me back when it came out and every time I end up putting it on I remember how awesome it is. It's melodic, has lead singer Daniel Greaves playing harmonica and is an interesting song lyrically.

For me, the song is about life changing and people not wanting to accept that. It's easier to go along with the life you don't want to really be living because change appears harder:

Driving in style with a smile on
I wish the light could turn red on me now
The day's been so damn hard already
So buckle me in on the highway of sin
'Cause that's just the way that I wanna be

The Watchmen, who are in fact named after the graphic novel that has been made into a movie that is coming soon to a theatre near you, never really grabbed me with any of their other material following this album, so maybe that's why I always forget about them.

Regardless, I always end up rediscovering them and this song in particular. Now I pass them along to you...

Enjoy!

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Soundtrack of My Life

Song: I'll Be
Artist: Edwin McCain
Album: Misguided Roses (1998)

I loved this song the instant I heard it.

Driving around while working construction in St. Catharines during the summers between going to University, I spent a lot of time listening to the radio. In the summer of 1998, this track was all over the Top 40 radio station I listened to out of Buffalo, New York and with good reason.

It's a ballad without being too syrupy. There is power and volume and strength to the song just as equally as there is softness and sincerity and truth.

The scattered horns both at the beginning and end of the song give it an easy introduction and conclusion. The song doesn't just start or finish; rather it glides into the first verse and slides out to an ending, unlike so many song today that are abrupt, starting and ending before you know it.

Edwin McCain was never a big household name, but there aren't many people who don't know this song, which is a testament to how good it really is. The only other song of McCain's that you might now - or should know - is "I Could Not Ask for More," a song in a similar vein as this one that was also covered by country artist Sara Evans.

While so many ballads and love song fake sincerity and offer up cliched lyrics, this song is genuine and original. My favorite line has always been "I'll be better when I'm older" because in truth, that is the case for many of us. We grow into being the best we can be, it doesn't just happen instantly or overnight. I know that has been the case with me and most certainly with my relationship with Sarah.

Sit back and take a listen. This one is a dark horse contender for our wedding song.

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Soundtrack of My Life

Song: Yellow Ledbetter
Artist: Pearl Jam
Album: B-Side to Jeremy (1992)

I don't have the foggiest idea what Eddie Vedder is actually saying for a minute in the song, but I've always loved it. It's one of those songs that mellows me out and I could use a little mellowing out...

It's not very often that you get to be around for the entire lifespan of a band like Pearl Jam. Lots of bands have come and gone from the time Ten came out until now and many more will before the boys call it quits, I'm sure.

While my interest and support of Pearl Jam has ebbed and flowed over the years - from complete adoration during the Ten / Vs. / Vitalogy years to just a general appreciation since - there is no denying the impact they have had on the music industry, other artists and millions of kids who were in the mid-teens like me when they dropped into our laps.

They are the last true survivors of the Grunge Explosion and the Seattle scene and don't really show any signs of stopping. They've slowed down, but the band formerly known as Mookie Blaylock will be be around for a while still and even when they're gone, we'll have completely indecipherable tracks like this one to remind us of them...

Just for fun, today's link is the Misheard Lyrics video and it's pretty entertaining.

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