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Not so much a song as a complete guide to life

David Hepworth's picture

We had "High Wide and Handsome" by Loudon Wainwright on a recent "Now Hear This" CD. Just this last week I find myself playing it all the time - usually rather loud. One of the things I like about it is the way it boldly lays out a complete recipe for life. "High wide and handsome - they're the way life should be....Let's live it up...might as well we're all dying..." etc etc. And it's a philosophy that's meant to be declared from the highest rooftops. It's bracingly bold. Here's Loudon doing it:


Any other songs that sum up the way we should look at life?

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Positive songs about life = awful?

Loudon's song is almost defiant in it's positive take on life - but in general I find postive, life-affirming songs deeply troubling:

"The Only Way is Up"
"Things Can Only Get Better"
"Don't Worry, Be Happy"
"Search for the Hero"

...all want me to go back to bed and close the curtains.

An exception is this one (Des'ree) - it just seems to have a bit of class.

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Austin | 29 January 2010 - 7:03pm

Probably get short shrift round these parts, but ...

...Rod's moving tribute to an old friend has always affected me. The last verse expresses a simple yet utterly convincing sentiment. It always makes me think when I hear it.

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Martin | 29 January 2010 - 7:03pm

"Never Any Good" by Martin Simpson

I always seem to be banging on about this song, but then it is one of the best of the last twenty years.
In "Never Any Good", Martin Simpson presents a loving, detailed portrait of his late father, starting with his estranged mother's dismissive comment that he was "never any good with money".
Simpson Snr fought in two world wars, but in peace time he sought life's simple pleasures - finding a nightjar's nest, riding his Norton, singing the part of the Pirate King.
His influence on Simpson Jr - in contrast to those who tutted at his perceived idleness and selfishness - was profound, and in describing it the song presents a complete and inspirational biography of a rat race escapee.

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Nick White | 29 January 2010 - 7:45pm

Thanks Nick!

The beautiful wording of your post led me to actually listen to the song and it was gorgeous. Cheers.

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Vorgongod | 29 January 2010 - 8:40pm

Enjoy Yourself!


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ChaosandMorphine | 29 January 2010 - 8:02pm
Mr Fade | 29 January 2010 - 8:11pm

Reaching Out On All Sides

Warning - contains music defined as jazz-rock.

Blimey! 40 years old, it had a profound effect on a naive 15 year-old at the time...and still does.

"I want it said when I am gone, I moved the world just one step on."

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Beany | 29 January 2010 - 8:13pm

I heard this on the radio the other day

and I was sufficiently impressed to paste it here.


Don't know if it will reach it's target but I quite like it.

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phlanth | 29 January 2010 - 9:31pm

That's a terrific record

Oh yes

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David Hepworth | 29 January 2010 - 10:38pm

Now I know this lot

aren't very popular around here but this is such an accurate portrayal of a dark period of time in my life that even my young boys nod their heads sagely when they listen to it in recognition of the
lyrics

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Dave Amitri | 29 January 2010 - 11:36pm
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