Week Thirty-Six: The Lightning Seeds - "All I Want" - Cloudcuckooland

First and foremost, I should mention to you that the video version of this song is way different than the version that is on the CD, but I cannot definitively decide which one I prefer more.

What I absolutely know that I love about this song is the focus on listening. Do people even really listen to or hear one another anymore? It seems like everyone is so occupied with all of their gadgets these days, and I witness so many "uh-huhs" & "mmhmmms" & "yeahs" when people are having so-called conversations while pecking at their electronics. It's like everyone is too busy or too socially-engaged to pay sincere attention anymore. It's really sad to me when I think about it!!!

Even though I did not end up pursuing a career in substance abuse counseling, one thing that I did learn from all of those courses that I took was how to really listen and to really hear a person. Being listened to and being heard is one of the kindest and most validating acts a human being can do for another human being. Don't get me wrong, I love my iPhone as much as the next person, but I also know when to shut the silly thing off and have a meaningful conversation with the individual in my presence.

I can't ignore or hide away

Can't escape from the things that line our way

Take it, leave it, break it

Anyway, you can't get back to yesterday

All I want, all I want to do

You better listen from now on

Stop what's going on, stop what's going wrong

You better listen from now on

Confidence, coincidence, call it a sin

It's just like people say

Tomorrow's here open up your eyes

Never hesitate

All I want, all I want to do

You better listen from now on

Stop what's going on, stop what's going wrong

You better listen from now on

It makes me want to give you everything

Pick you up and take you home again

Hold you tight and think that now is then

All I want to do

All I want to do

You better listen from now on

Stop what's going on, stop what's going wrong

You better listen from now on

Cardboard men are strong but paper can be torn

Oh, you better listen from now on

All I want to say

All I want to do

You better listen from now on

That's all I want to say

Week Thirty-Six: The Lightning Seeds - "Pure" - Cloudcuckooland

When I was reading up about this song on Wikipedia, I had to laugh a bit because, as I mentioned in yesterday's post, Ian Broudie worked with Echo & The Bunnymen, and if you read my "Killing Moon" post, you might remember the quote that I included from Ian McCulloch about his own feelings towards that song. 

Well, it appears that Ian Broudie did not posses the same level of self-assurance as Ian McCulloch because Wikipedia mentioned that Ian Broudie wasn't even certain that he should release his own material:

He was originally apprehensive:

"I didn’t think that many people would be interested if I’m going to be honest, I suppose I didn’t have the confidence really and I wasn’t in a band but I did want to put my music out and get it heard." - Ian Broudie

I'm glad he found that confidence to release this tune and all of the others, as well, because I think this song is amazing and so incredibly sweet and loving. Ian Broudie seems like such a kind and gentle soul just based on what I've read about him and on his lyrics alone... The imagery he uses is unbelievable, and he has an amazing talent for painting vivid pictures through his word choice!!!

Nighttime slows

Raindrops splash rainbows

Perhaps someone you know 

Could sparkle and shine

As daydreams slide 

To colour from shadow

Picture the moonglow 

That dazzles my eyes

And I love you

Just lying smiling in the dark

Shooting stars around your heart

Dreams come bouncing in your head

Pure and simple every time

Now you're crying in your sleep

I wish you'd never learnt to weep

Don't sell the dreams you should be keeping

Pure and simple every time

Dream of sights

Of sleigh rides in seasons

Where feelings not reasons

Can make you decide

As leaves pour down

Splash Autumn on gardens

As colder nights harden

Their moonlit delights

And I love you

Just lying smiling in the dark

Shooting stars around your heart

Dreams come bouncing in your head

Pure and simple every time

Now you're crying in your sleep

I wish you'd never learnt to weep

Don't sell the dreams you should be keeping

Pure and simple every time

Look at me with starry eyes

Push me up to starry skies

There's stardust in my head

Pure and simple every time

Fresh and deep as oceans new

Shiver at the sight of you

I'll sing a softer tune

Pure and simple over you

If love's the truth then look no lies

And let me swim around your eyes

I've found a place I'll never leave

Shut my mouth and just believe

Love is the truth I realize

Not a stream of pretty lies

To use us up

And waste our time

Lying smiling in the dark

Shooting stars around your heart

Dreams come bouncing in your head

Pure and simple every time

Now you're crying in your sleep

I wish you'd never learnt to weep

Don't sell the dreams you should be keeping

Pure and simple every time

Look at me with starry eyes

Push me up to starry skies

There's stardust in my head

Pure and simple every time

Fresh and deep as oceans new

Shiver at the sight of you

I'll sing a softer tune

Pure and simple over you

Pure and simple just for you

Week Thirty-Six: The Lightning Seeds - "Life of Riley" - Sense

The Lightning Seeds also have the ability to lift my spirits on any occasion, and I need that today, especially since I have to return to work... ick... blah!!! I should also mention that Ian Broudie, who is the primary contributor to this band's material, produced many of the Echo & The Bunnymen albums.

I was never really sure what this song was actually about; so of course, I looked it up. It turns out that Ian Broudie wrote this tune for his son, Riley. How effin' cool is that? So I guess since Riley is what like 20-years-old now, when he wants to impress the ladies, he probably pops this song in and says to his latest swooning young female: "Yeah, my dad wrote this about me...."  :-D

Actually though, when I was looking up some current pictures of The Lightning Seeds, I saw that Riley plays in the band with his dad now sometimes... he's almost the spitting image of Ian Broudie.

I really dig the advice that Ian imparts to Riley in the song too --- such as: "but it's certain nothing's certain" and "oh, this world is a crazy ride, so take your seat and hold on tight".

What an amazingly cool video he created to accompany the song, as well!

Lost in the Milky Way,

smile at the empty sky and wait for

the moment a million chances may all collide.

I'll be the guiding light,

swim to me through stars that shine down,

and call to the sleeping World as they fall to Earth.

So here's your life,

we'll find our way,

we're sailing blind,

but it's certain nothing's certain.

I don't mind,

I get the feeling

you'll be fine,

I still believe 

that in this World,

we've got to find the time...

for the Life of Riley.

From cradles and sleepless nights,

you breathe in life forever,

and stare at the World from deep under eiderdown.

So here's your life,

we'll find our way,

we're sailing blind,

but it's certain nothing's certain.

I don't mind,

I get the feeling

you'll be fine,

I still believe 

that in this World,

we've got to find the time...

for the first time...

Oh, this World is a crazy ride,

so take your seat and hold on tight.