By: Jay Minkin
Date: 01/13/2009

If we were to sit and discuss life and lyrics at my favorite watering hole, Bobby Dylan’s closing words from “My Back Pages” would be the first song I’d quote and pay respects to.

 As I approach one of those milestone birthdays, there are a few songs that keep me company on the journey along life’s path. Sometimes you have to dream and take chances as Bruce Springsteen describes in “Thunder Road” with “Hey, what else can we do now? Except roll down the window and let the wind blow back your hair. Well the night’s busting open, these two lanes will take us anywhere.” 

When I look at photos, they’re usually of happy times and memorable moments. Although Chrissie Hynde’s “Back on the Chain Gang” was written after the death of two band mates, her opening line, “I found a picture of you, those were the happiest days of my life,” not only reminds me of some of those better days, but is my cell phone ringtone of choice when my daughters call.

When days are not so good, Chrissie again seems to express it in “I’ll Stand By You” with “When you’re standing at the crossroads and don’t know which path to choose, let me come along, ‘cause even if you’re wrong, I’ll stand by you.” 

 When friends ask me where I might end up, my usual response is a big house out west where we’re ALL going to live. Alex Bevan’s “Rodeo Rider” states, “He’ll end up his days riding fence in Montana. On the high ground his dreamin’ gets done.” (Sigh) I really need to get out to the barn and practice my horsemanship.

So Mimi readers, what are some lyrics that stir your soul?  Reach Jay at blues4bird@aol.com