The Lyrics I Remember Are the Milestones Marking the Journey of My Life
By: Gary Niemen
Tags: Philosophy, Life Lessons, Songs, Lyrics, Life

I wanted to write something a bit different. So I had the idea to write out the song lyrics of my life. The snippets of songs that have — without me knowing why — just stuck in my head. It would be my signature in lyrics. A lyric print. A unique identifier of this here human. And, of course, no two humans would ever have the same lyric print.

So I was toying with this idea — whether to do it or not. And, weirdly, while scrolling through the International edition of the Guardian newspaper, I spotted an article entitled:

Clive James: “The poems I remember are the milestones marking the journey of my life.”

The article is an extract from the late Australian critic, journalist, broadcaster, and writer Clive James’ final book The Fire of Joy.

In the article (and the book), he says:

In fact, I believe, that is the true mark of poetry: you remember it despite yourself.

Poems. Lyrics. It’s a clear sign from the Universe. The lyric idea is on. Let’s do it. I declare that a lyric print consists of a maximum of 14 lyric snippets. Here’s mine in no particular order. I’ll use my full quota. For each one, I share the associated insight, longing, memory — the milestone from this life journey.

Your Song, Elton John

I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss

Well, a few of the verses, well, they’ve got me quite cross

But the sun’s been quite kind while I wrote this song

It’s for people like you that keep it turned on…

To sit on a roof and kick off moss with somebody. What a longing these lyrics and this song created in the young me.

This Charming Man, The Smiths

I would go out tonight

But I haven’t got a stitch to wear

This man said “it’s gruesome

That someone so handsome should care”

The lead singer Morrissey was camp and gay. One of my best friends at Uni was just as camp — but, I think, not yet sure. What about me? Who was I? This song reminds me of my exploration into my sexuality.

Somebody, Depeche Mode

I want somebody to share, share the rest of my life

Share my innermost thoughts, know my intimate details

Someone who’ll stand by my side and give me support

And in return, she’ll get my support

Depeche Mode were kind of synth-pop, new wave, electronic rock — and then they came out with this deep, heartfelt, evocative, almost spoken poem. What Dave Gahan wanted, I wanted too. I wanted somebody.

Once in A Lifetime, Talking Heads

And you may find yourself

Living in a shotgun shack

And you may find yourself

In another part of the world

And you may find yourself

Behind the wheel of a large automobile

And you may find yourself in a beautiful house

With a beautiful wife

And you may ask yourself, well

How did I get here?

This song has haunted me my whole life. Better not let “days go by”. Better be true to myself. Better not waste my days. Better live intentionally and fully. Don’t stagnate, expand.

Go Your Own Way, Fleetwood Mac

You can go your own way

Go your own way

You can call it

Another lonely day

You can go your own way

Go your own way

It’s always been my way — to go my own way. This song often rings in the back of my mind. It’s served me well.

Lay Lady Lay, Bob Dylan

His clothes are dirty but his, his hands are clean

And you are the best thing that he’s ever seen

This song has been in my mind for as long as I can remember. And for all these years I didn’t even know what it was called or who sang it. I just knew it was probably the most sexy and sensual song I had ever heard. And then one day — when I met my beloved — she played it for me.

Both Sides Now, Joni Mitchell

I’ve looked at love from both sides now

From give and take and still somehow

It’s love’s illusions that I recall

I really don’t know love at all

So profound. I have this theory that we always get to experience the opposite side of the impact we have on others. It’s like the Universe balancing itself. This song, these lyrics, express that truth I think. Wise woman is Joni.

Changes, David Bowie

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Turn and face the strange

Ch-ch-changes

Don’t want to be a richer man

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Turn and face the strange

Ch-ch-changes

There’s gonna have to be a different man

Time may change me

But I can’t trace time

It’s these lyrics, it’s the whole song, it’s the whole album Changes, and it’s that picture on the cover. I listened to it all hundreds of times. But this one sticks out. Life is change. That’s pretty much all we can know for sure. Better get used to it.

Feel, Robbie Williams

I just wanna feel

Real love feel the home that I live in

’Cause I got too much life

Running through my veins

Going to waste

I don’t wanna die

But I ain’t keen on living either

Before I fall in love

I’m preparing to leave her

There was a time in my life when I didn’t know what I was feeling. I was too scared to feel. This song reflected that back and gave me hope and desire to change that round.

Earth Song, Michael Jackson

Did you ever stop to notice

All the children dead from war

Did you ever stop to notice

This crying earth, these weeping shores

I bawled my eyes out when I first heard this song. “What have we done to the world. Look what we’ve done.”

Let It Be, Beatles

Let it be, let it be

Let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

I am not so into the Mother Mary reference, but truth be told “let it be” is like a mantra for me. I have used it many times to calm down and gain some perspective. It is a wise message. At least stop and pause for a while. At least, let it be for a while.

True Faith, New Order

I used to think that the day would never come

I’d see delight in the shade of the morning sun

My morning sun is the drug that brings me near

To the childhood I lost, replaced by fear

I used to think that the day would never come

That my life would depend on the morning sun

To be honest, I don’t really know what these lyrics or this song is about, but it doesn’t matter. What it evokes in me is a recovery. Some kind of waking up out of the darkness. It is something I can relate to very much.

River, Joni Mitchell

He tried hard to help me

You know, he put me at ease

And he loved me so naughty

Made me weak in the knees

Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

Joni again. How can you say so much with just those two lines: And he loved me so naughty, made me weak in the knees. I wanted to be that man. I wanted to be able to love like that. And be with a woman who received me like that. Oh such bliss.

Bird on the Wire, Leonard Cohen

Like a bird on the wire

Like a drunk in a midnight choir

I have tried in my way to be free

Like a worm on a hook

Like a knight from some old-fashioned book

I have saved all my ribbons for thee

If I, if I have been unkind

I hope that you can just let it go by

If I, if I have been untrue

I hope you know it was never to you

For like a baby, stillborn

Like a beast with his horn

I have torn everyone who reached out for me

But I swear by this song

And by all that I have done wrong

I will make it all up to thee

Okay, I admit that these lyrics are not all ingrained into my brain — but what a collection of similes (yes they are similes, not metaphors) and what a song. A poem more than a song — but Leonard Cohen was a poet first I believe. What a declaration of love.

And this is a perfect place to end this collection of lyrics. The lyric print of my life.