by C.J. Cain
Aaaahhhhhhhh, youth. As the harmonica intro began, I found myself appreciating the slower tempo, as it lent itself to the poignant message of the song. And the lyrics! I have never heard more gut-wrenching words put to music! Strangely, I remembered most of the words, and I found myself singing along. The singing did not last for long, however, as a lump inched its way into my throat - I had been there. I listened intently to each carefully played and placed chord and note, without feeling the need to bang my head or strap on the trusty air guitar. I didn't just hear the music - I LISTENED to it - again and again and again.
I now have children who are roughly the same age I was when I got the first taste of how important music would become to my life. What used to be a lifestyle of sex, drugs and rock-n-roll has evolved into a life of marriage, Ibuprofen for 40-year-old aches, and STILL rock-n-roll. "The song remains the same," but your perspective may change - I encourage you to go back often and revisit groups and songs you dismissed on the first go around, because I'd hate for you to miss anything!