Song #40: (Stay In Your) Embrace

"Millions and millions of years would still not give me half enough time to describe that tiny instant of all eternity when you put your arms around me and I put my arms around you."
[Jacques Prévert, poet/screenwriter]

As Mr. Prévert says, there is nothing quite like the closeness and intimacy found in lingering in timeless, affectionate embraces. Still, at some point you've gotta get up and get back to living. This song suggests the romantic notion that even though apart, you're still held in that person's embrace.

The lyrics this week were co-written by writer/actor/artist (and good friend) Benjamin Madrid, whose poem (Stay In Your Embrace) provided the inspiration - and many of the lines - for this song.

Musically this track is a throw-back to the 80's radio pop ballads that many of us grew up with (a la Genesis / Phil Collins / Peter Gabriel). It just might transport you back to 1986 if you're not careful...

PLAY:

LYRICS:

Sometimes in your embrace
I leave my body and walk outside,
Peer in the window, watch us lying face to face
Faded lines remain where the tears have dried

I could take that scene anywhere
The room could change all over
the outside of it too
Another house, another city, it doesn't matter, there's you
The distances between are only lies

Let's get to dancing
We can't always lay around
But now that I know what I have found
I'll walk the wire and not look down
As long as I can still
Stay in your embrace

We can let the aging take it's toll
Watch my hair turn grey, I'll watch your skin turn old
Another time, another setting, it doesn't matter I'm told
When you're hanging on so tight you can't let go

Song #38: Known

"Known" is a simple little song juxtaposing the desire to be loved with the desire to give love. Because of its atypical form you could maybe say it's more of a short tone poem than a pop song.

LYRICS:

to be known
to be loved
to be cherished
to be witnessed
to have someone
that knows your soul
knows your weakness
knows your deepness
to be understood
to know you count
to be lost
and then be found
to be held close
to be let go
to be known

to be the one that knows
to be love
and to cherish
and to witness
to have someone
whose mind you blow
despite their weakness
and from your deepness
to understand
to show they count
and when they're lost
search 'till they're found
to know when to hold
when to let go
to be the one that knows

Song #3: Behind the Scenes

Intimacy is nakedness. Letting someone in to see our true, unpolished selves takes trust and transparency. It's a beautiful thing indeed when in that vulnerability we find ourselves accepted, flaws and all.

"Behind the Scenes" was inspired by a conversation I had with a good friend. The first stanza is based on an analogy he mentioned in passing. I was inspired, took it from there and ran with it.

Make sure you let it play through the bridge [2:45]: that's where things really pick up!

PLAY:

CLICK HERE to download this song for free

LYRICS:

there is a stage and there is a curtain
outside's the show, but hey don't you know:
that behind the scenes things ain't what they seem
the cards are all shown, the tricks are exposed

we do our dance, we put the act on
out under bright lights, out on the stage
but all that's the show, there's something secret
behind the scenes, come back with me

when the lights go down 
and the walls come down
and there is an ending to all the pretending
I'll let you in
come see my sin
where all is uncovered is where the true lovers live

let's take it off, take off the makeup
take off our clothes, 'til all is exposed
I'll show you mine, if you show me yours
back behind the scenes, where it's just you and me

when the lights go down  
and the walls come down 
and there is an ending to all the pretending 
I'll let you in 
come see my sin 
where all is uncovered is where the true lovers live

a place of refuge where naught is forbidden
where trust is drunk freely and nothing is hidden
where you can be you without bullshit pretension
where baggage is welcome and girl did I mention
that behind the curtain there's no condescension
we'll reveal more than a stripper convention
and no matter what you still get my attention
I guess that's what love's all about 

when the lights go down  
and the walls come down 
there is an ending to all the pretending 
I'll let you in 
come see my sin 
where all is uncovered is where the true lovers live