Well folks, we're nearing the end. Not long now until the final entry on February 19th, 2025. The last major theme to close us out revolves around the Passing of Time. If the first few months of this project were tough, they're actually a cakewalk compared to what we're about to go through. We're getting old and life perspectives are changing as they should - AKA we're closer to dying than when we were born. Some of these songs represent the heaviest weights that we've carried since knowing them. Some are as recent as 2023 and 2024, but I know in my heart of hearts that even if they came out in 1989 they would have made this list - they are that profound to me.
So if you're an artist that made this project from here on out you should feel humble and proud...you achieved what you set out to do...make music that people feel and love...thank you.
Disclaimer: This song along with several others at the end of this project were released on November 1st, 2024 just as this project was entering the final few months. This album, Songs of a Lost World, has been one of my most anticipated releases given the facts that the last Cure album was released in 2008 and Robert Smith kept teasing over the years that he was working on it. It did not disappoint in several ways.
First, the Godfather of Emo, depressing music has released his Swan Song, much like Clockwork Angels is to Rush. I'm not saying it's their last release, but I can't imagine anything better.
Second, it's just another reminder of my own life's journey. The Cure has been a part of my musical tapestry for a long, long time. If the border of that tapestry is my string of fate with Shannon, each band on this project is woven into it - some more than others.
Third, where yes, most Cure songs are somewhat depressing and somewhat personal (one exception being Cut Here which is extremely depressing and extremely personal), this entire album is very personal and very raw. He has lost his parents. His brother passed away and it has affected him deeply. I believe he only has his sister left. Listening to this album you can feel this statement Shannon has shared with me over the years:
"One sibling will attend every sibling's funeral and one sibling won't attend any"
So all that being said, there are five songs featured on this project at the end. Reminder - they just came out three and a half months ago. Shannon fulfilled her role of editor / producer and repeatedly quizzed me "Are you sure?"
I'm sure. If they had come out in 1989 and I had listened to them for the past 30 years, they would have made this project somewhere.
In all my music loving life, there aren't many songs that drive such a deep, sad, helpless reaction for not only something personal in my life, but also knowing the artist who wrote it suffered a tremendous loss and then has the strength to create something so beautiful.
If you can't quiet yourself enough to feel this song, I don't know what to say.
For Robert and Shannon it's their brother, for you it could be anyone you've lost. But I have to believe everyone has the ability to feel this song; it's whether you choose to or not.
I don't need to explain anything about this song - it's all right there.
I don't need to explain anything about Shannon and Shane - one only needs to revisit these posts - it's all right there...
Ordinary World
Unwell
The Impression That I Get
It's Not My Time
One Headlight
Going Back / Countdown
Promises
Ever the Same
Emotion Detector
ONE MORE TIME
Joey
Brothers In Arms
Regarding Steven
Worried
Don't Bring Me Down / All the Gold In California
Can't Help Falling In Love
Pieces
Runaway
Red Barchetta
Open Secrets
Pictures of You
Mission
Headlong Flight
Let's Go All The Way (2/16/25 upcoming entry)
Shannon’s Perspective:
Something wicked this way comes
To steal away my brother's life
First and foremost, this song breaks my heart. It breaks for Robert Smith and his remaining siblings. It breaks for my friends and family who have lost their own brothers/sisters. And yes, it even breaks all over again for me and my remaining siblings. I have a very close friend who just lost a sibling less than six months ago and watching her and her remaining siblings process their loss hits very close to home. I just want to fix it for her but I know all too well nothing will ever fix it so I do what I can. I think about my father’s siblings. There were seven of them in total, three girls and four boys. My father was the first to pass but now there are just the three girls left. All four of the boys are gone now, my last uncle passed away in 2024. I think about Larry and his non-existent relationship with his siblings. I think of all these things while tears stream down my face and I continue to ride this roller coaster of emotions. I think about a lyric from a Michael Been song called To Feel this Way:
“Let no one be mistaken death makes memories of us all it’s the purpose that confounds me”.
I think about all the things Shane missed out on and all the things we (his siblings) missed out on. He would have been a good father and an amazing uncle to all his nieces and nephews. He was a sweet soul and will be missed by me until I breathe my last breath.
I Can Never Say Goodbye
The Cure
Thunder rolling in to drown
November moon in cold black rain
As lightning splits the sky apart
I'm whispering his name
He has to wake up
Love's slipping away
Hear the bells beyond the sea
It's almost too late
Shadows growing closer now
And there's nowhere left to hide
And I can't break this dreamless sleep
However hard I try
I'm down on my knees and empty inside
Something wicked this way comes
From out the cruel and treacherous night
Something wicked this way comes
To steal away my brother's life
Something wicked this way comes
I can never say goodbye
I can never say goodbye
Something wicked this way comes
From out the cruel and treacherous night
Something wicked this way comes
To steal away my brother's life
Something wicked this way comes
30th Anniversary
Our Story - Shannon's Perspective
Our Story - Larry's Perspective
Ghost of a Chance (Rush) and why?
Ghost of a Chance 