Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Music That Encourages – Styx

October 8, 2014

Before I start today’s post, I do want to mention that I found out that Mick Tucker – the drummer for Sweet – died in 2002 after a battle with leukemia at age 54. So only Steve Priest and Andy Scott remain of the original four. Rest in peace Mick.

Today, I have two selections of encouraging music and both by Styx. The first one is Crystal Ball and it’s more of an introspection – being at a crossroads – and wondering where to go now. And it’s not just young people who ask those questions but many of us come around to that same point when we are older. I still think it fits in the encouraging because we have all been at this point at one time or another in our lives and it helps that someone put those feelings down in a song to share that yes, I’ve been there too. Oh, and this is also one of my favorite Styx songs as well. Have a listen:

I used to like to walk the straight and narrow line
I used to think that everything was fine
Sometimes I’d like to sit and gaze for days through sleepless dreams
All alone and trapped in time
All alone and trapped in time

I wonder what tomorrow has in mind for me
Or am I even in it’s mind at all
Perhaps I’ll get a chance to look ahead and see
Soon as I find myself a crystal ball
Soon as I find myself a crystal ball

Tell me, tell me where I’m going
I don’t know where I’ve been
Tell me, tell me, won’t you tell me
And then tell me again
My heart is breaking, my body’s aching
And I don’t know where to go
Tell me, tell me, won’t you tell me
I’ve just got to know

Crystal ball
There’s so many things I need to know
Crystal ball
There’s so many things I’ve got to know
Crystal ball

The second song is Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) by Styx and it is a song of encouragement. I found this on Wikipedia and thought it interesting:

The song was written by guitarist Tommy Shaw. It was originally based on Shaw’s initial perception of Styx keyboardist Dennis DeYoung — an “angry young man” who viewed the group’s successes with a wary eye and grew angry or depressed with every setback. It was only in later years that Shaw began to see himself in the lyrics, and the song took on a more personal meaning to him.

I think life is like that though – songs have meanings when we’re younger, but then when we get older we find the words are richer and we find new meaning in them as we grow through life and gain deeper insights. Anyway – again – I’ll let the song speak. I like these simple songs which are straight to the point with no deciphering involved. :-)

You see the world through your cynical eyes
You’re a troubled young man I can tell
You’ve got it all in the palm of your hand
But your hand’s wet with sweat and your head needs a rest
And you’re fooling yourself if you don’t believe it
You’re killing yourself if you don’t believe it

Why must you be such an angry young man
When your future looks quite bright to me
And how can there be such a sinister plan
That could hide such a lamb, such a caring young man
And you’re fooling yourself if you don’t believe it
You’re killing yourself if you don’t believe it

Get up, get back on your feet
You’re the one they can’t beat and you know it
Come on, let’s see what you’ve got
Just take your best shot and don’t blow it

Keep coming back for more as Music Month on Oh Crap continues.

2 comments
Comments

On October 8, 2014 at 9:21 PM, Matt said:

At first, I thought I'd never even heard of Crystal Ball. But, as it turns out, I've just never paid attention to the lyrics... except for "tell me, tell me". If it was called that, I would have known immediately.
Honestly, pretty typical of me, since I judge the worth of a song on its melodic properties over lyrical ones.
Back to the original point (I'm listening to the song as I type), they're actually saying "crystal ball" during the chorus as opposed to the "this-oo whoooaaaaaooooo" I'd thought all these years. My mind is kind of blown.

On October 9, 2014 at 2:07 PM, java_queen said:

Yeah, you really should spend more time on the lyrics Matt. :-) That said, misheard lyrics by yours truly on songs like "Killer Queen" back when I was younger are even worse. At least NOW I know the correct words. It's why I always like to buy cd's if I can because most have the liner notes like the albums did which often have the words to the songs. Interpretation however is a totally different thing.

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» Music That Encourages – Styx » Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Music That Encourages – Styx

October 8, 2014

Comments

On October 8, 2014 at 9:21 PM, Matt said:

On October 9, 2014 at 2:07 PM, java_queen said:

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