The Monday Movement- “Someday”
Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, and John Mellencamp; these guys ARE American rock and roll. They represent running down your dream, the blue collar working man, hard-nosed grit and determination, and Midwestern small towns. They are gifted singer-songwriters who write about love, women, pride, loyalty, overcoming adversity, values, commitment, dedication, and staying the course.
Or as I like to think of it, these guys write about life; what happens throughout it, how to navigate it, how to combat challenges, break through roadblocks, deal with parents, cope with the loss of relationships, what to do when you’re outnumbered (but you know you’re right), and how to talk yourself through doubt, whether it be coming from within or from all of the haters. And they do this wearing leather jackets and smoking cigarettes while rebelling against authority. Point blank (pun intended), these guys are inspiring.
We identify with their stories because we ourselves are experiencing them; in our own variations of course, but we are living the day to day songs they are singing about. They are real, they are human, they feel pain the same way we do, they feel joy the same way we do, they know what it’s like to have to “grind it out” the same way we do. They give us hope, they inspire us, and most importantly, they help us believe in ourselves.
So Steve Earle…..I’ll be totally honest, I don’t know much of his stuff. I know I’ve seen him in numerous movies, read about him in a few magazine articles/online blogs, and have seen him interviewed in documentaries, commenting on musicians and their work, but truthfully I can’t name four songs of his. But when my father showed me this song, “Someday” of his three days ago, I was hooked. Actually it’s more than hooked, I was so deeply drawn into the sound and the lyrics, entranced maybe. There is a feel good and a strong power in this song. I haven’t stopped listening to it since. This one impacts me way down deep inside, the same way the other musicians mentioned above do.
“Someday I’m finally gonna let go, cuz I know there’s a better way. And I wanna know what’s over that rainbow, I’m gonna get out of here someday.”
This song strikes a chord with me, in the way “Running Down a Dream” does, or “Hungry Heart”, or “Roll Me Away” or “I Need a Lover.” Really I could keep going with these guys’ songs and how they capture the human spirit, but I don’t know if and when I’d ever stop. “Someday” carries a similar feeling to Petty’s knowing about his dream in that he must run it down, because it sure as hell isn’t just going to come to him.
You have to go out and make it happen! Face your fears head on! You can hear Steve Earle working up the courage in this song to “get out of here someday.” He has a desire to get out of this small town and explore what else is out there for him; and from the sound of it, he’s KNOWS that it’s out there, for his taking. You can hear his yearning for a chance, for an opportunity to prove himself outside of this town. He’s going after it because he knows in his heart it’s what he’s supposed to do, what he’s meant to do. The confidence is there, and now he must go out and make the dream come true.
“You go to school and you learn to read and write, So you can walk into the county bank and sign away your life.”
I love this line here in the song. It’s fitting to the personality in the sense that he’s not just going to be another chump that “follows the script” and develops a lifestyle that one is “supposed to.” And oh by the way, neither were any of the other guys I mentioned earlier. Nobody was going to hold them back! Steve Earle’s individuality pours through in this song. It’s a testament to the strong character who questions things in life, isn’t afraid to voice a “different” thought or idea because of the fear of what others might think about them, and believes in their own ability to create the life they want for themselves. These are truly special characteristics and beliefs that everyone who is working towards accomplishing their goals possesses.
During a visit recently with my great friend and fellow comrade, I heard them say, “set a goal so big that you can’t achieve it until you grow into the person who can.” I absolutely loved it. Because the words themselves are a metaphor for life. We don’t simply set a goal, do what needs to be done to reach it, accomplish the goal itself, and then just stop. We proceed to move forward, towards another goal, perhaps something new or different. But we are drawn to it, just as we were to our previous goal. We are following an inner voice or intuition. We are, ourselves, continuously works in progress.
Throughout our journeys we are constantly encountering obstacles and new challenges; and that’s just what they are, obstacles and challenges. They are not necessarily problems, unless we allow them to be. Our enthusiasm, hope, willingness, and readiness are all affected based on perception; “is this a problem for me? Something I cannot get past or get over?” Or is this an opportunity? For growth and for change?” Are we allowing ourselves to be open to new possibilities, or are we super-focused on controlling every aspect of our lives determined to stay the same and remain comfortable? Whichever way we look at it, it ultimately impacts our lives and our dreams.
So crank this one way up loud and feel it reach way down deep. With the new year around the corner, regain that openness and excitement; allow yourself to activate it once again. Feel good about yourself and where you are going as you “put that 67 Chevy on that interstate and never look back!” Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
- DS
