Friday, November 6, 2009

Visions of You: Motorcycle Drive By


I know I don't write on here enough. I know that. I know it because my head is swimming. Writing is what gives me peace. When elements of my life are not shared, it is like they are floating wildly in my head and the only way to calm myself is to pin them down with words. I lay in bed at night and think, I should write about this... but I fall asleep before I can coax myself out of bed and to a computer. While I sleep the thoughts that I have carefully collected escape into the night. And I have to start chasing them around all over again.

It is Friday. My boss left early today. That is always nice. The office is quiet and everyone is content. I am listening to music as I work. Usually music allows me to move quickly through my tasks and serves as more of a beat to type to than a distraction. There are songs though that are serious exceptions to that rule. There are songs that are so paralyzing that work, or really anything other than a complete stop, is impossible.

Summer time and the wind is blowing outside
in lower Chelsea
And I don't know what I'm doing
in this city
The sun is always in my eyes
It crashes through the windows

Motorcycle Drive By is one of those songs. If you do not know that song, you should. But it may not mean as much to you as it does me. And that is okay. If you are a music person in any sense of the word, you probably have a song like that as well.

No matter where you are when you here it, you stop and it takes you in. I actually get butterflies when I hear it. The kind of butterflies that move about not only in my stomach but on the right day spread to my chest, my throat, and even cause my hands to shake.


Today is one of those days.

This song connects me to my memories, my friends, my adventures, and possibly my future. Music in a way that nothing else can, draws me closer to those places. Music brings up memories that you forgot to remember. Music shakes up your soul. And knowing all of that, how could I possibly do anything else when a songs like that is playing in my ears.

And I never been so alone
And I've never been so alive

(*The italics are lyrics from Motorcycle Drive By by Third Eye Blind. It was written by Stephan Jenkins and appears on the bands first album. I had the amazing fortune to meet him a few months ago. Please ignore my weird expression. I was beyond happy in this moment.)