Shannon’s Pick: Ever the Same

“And I couldn't tell you, but I'm telling you now.”

Sorry folks, nothing sarcastic to see here.  Today’s song is about not only honoring a memory but also about honoring the way the lyrics of a song can morph over time...

The memory…

The year was 2005, the month was April, and a Rob Thomas solo album was being released.  There was a tour as well and on April 23, 2005, I saw the concert for this tour.  My aunt Charlene had never been to a concert, so she decided to treat herself, me and a friend of the family to this concert.  It was in a small venue in downtown Columbus, Ohio called Promo West.  Because it was such a small venue it was standing room only, which made me feel bad that my aunt had to stand so much but I would have been standing anyway, I’m sure.  The concert was a blast, and the album was inescapable that summer.  It is a short album with only 8 songs and a playtime of 33 minutes, and I truly do love all the songs on it, but when I had to pick a song from the album for this project there was no question which one it should be.

The lyrics and the song…

From the first time I heard this song I knew it was a Larry and Shannon song and it drew me in with its beautiful yet haunting lyrics.  It really spoke to me, and it felt like something Larry would say and probably did say to me early in our marriage.  For those who don’t know, not only was 1994 one of the best years of my life (marriage and the birth of my first child) it also ended with the first of three tragedies in my life.  The first being the loss of my aunt Charlene’s only child and my cousin Joey who was murdered on December 31,1994.  Within less than two years I also lost my grandmother in October of 1996 and less than 3 months after that I lost my brother Shane.  So, I totally felt the lyrics…

“Just let me hold you while you're falling apart
Just let me hold you and we'll both fall down”

….As if they were being sung by Larry, especially for me.

But in 2008 when Larry experienced the loss of his grandmother the tables had turned and I felt I was the one telling him...

“Fall on me, tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you
Forever in me
Ever the same”

And now it feels like the conversation between Larry and I about my health would have him telling me…

“You may need me there
To carry all your weight
But you're no burden, I assure”

And me telling him…

“You tide me over
With a warmth I'll not forget
But I can only give you love”

And after thirty years I think we would both agree…

“I'll be there for you and you'll be there for me
Forever it's you
Forever in me
Ever the same”

Larry’s Perspective:

This is not a Rob Thomas song that got a lot of "public" airplay in the Barnes household, so I wasn't really familiar with it.

Again, to set the stage, every night we are down in our home theater dancing while the songs play on Apple TV with lyrics when they are available.

Shannon specifically told me to read these lyrics while we were dancing; because usually when you're slow dancing, your eyes aren't open.

I could feel a lot of emotion through the song as well as Shannon. And as I listened and read I could sense the sadness in our past. And to some degree, tonight added a little more sadness. Sadness that over the years Shannon quietly listened to this song.

But apparently on our string of fate journey, it wasn't until April 23rd, 2024 that I was meant to truly hear it and for Shannon to share it with me.

And to me, that's the beauty of this journey we are on, celebrating our 30th Anniversary. We're still sharing and discovering things about one another.

I am eternally grateful to have found my best friend and soul mate...