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.

Larry’s Pick: So Much (Bright-Side Mix)

This is my own interpretation of the song - YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary). Regardless of what you read, I love, love, love this song. Also on this special day, I want to wish Mr. Peter Gabriel a Happy 75th Birthday.

Let me refresh your memory from the very beginning of this project - a section of the February 19th, 2024 30th Anniversary post:

So the plan is to slow dance together every night over the next year. 

Now that is not as simple as it may sound. For example, when the day comes and (spoiler) the theme from Spongebob Squarepants is the song of the day, well, I think you get the point.

But fear not! I have chosen one song that is appropriate for what I'm trying to achieve, so that every night we have that moment together...

This was almost that song - the song to represent this entire years journey. It was narrowed done to this and one other. Ultimately I went with the other one which will be covered on February 19th, 2025. Six days from this entry. I cannot believe this year is almost over.

I can say unequivocally I made the right choice. Right now I say that with basically a year's worth of hindsight - but I had to make that song decision before I even approached Shannon about this project at all. So kudos to me for being so SMRT.

I don't know if I ever shared with her that this was a possible choice or not.

What's interesting is that I think that both songs arrive at the same place, but take very, very different paths. I landed on the fact that I thought this one was too dark and that's not how I wanted to spend the whole year and more importantly, didn't want Shannon to hear it for a full year. This song would be the equivalent of Sam and Frodo going solo through Mordor and we all know what a great time that was. It pushed the boundaries of everything they had and Shannon and I are already being pushed enough; no need to add anything additional. But I can't side-step this song. It's just as much a part of this project as the final song.

I'll start with what I perceive to be the positives.

The body stiffens, tires and aches
In its wrinkled, blotchy skin
With each decade, more camouflage
For the wild-eyed child within

This is us. Yes we're growing old and we do have old age ailments. But we both are still so young at heart. I'm still very much a wild-eyed child - gazing on new information and learning and experiences with zest and Shannon is exactly that;  the wild-eyed child. Always has been. Always will be.

Now close your eyes for a moment
Look down and look above
All the warmth inside of you
Comes from those you love

I thought these lines could help support this past year. Being quiet and listening and reflecting - and truly knowing what it means to be thankful and forgiving. Of others and ourselves. It also lends itself to healing over those silenced voices in Playing For Time.

But I landed on feeling a lot more of this song is somewhat defeatist, or resigning or possibly even hopeless. The fact it starts right at the beginning of the song is pretty ominous.

So much unfinished business
All sticky with desire
Raking through the empty shells
Of all the rockets we fired

Until you are of the age where you spend more time looking back instead of looking forward, it's probably hard to understand these lines. 

What can I still do in life that I dreamed of doing so long ago? And can I still even do it? How can I spend my remaining days? Can I pull it off? Because of money. Or age. Or health. 

These are all sticky with desire to get them done or to check off a bucket list item. But sometimes all we can do is rake through the empty shells of the things we spent our time in life doing. 

Some of those rockets reached our highest highs. Some the lowest lows. Some were complete duds. And somewhere in there, we actually shot ourselves with some of those bottle rockets. Or our friends.

Then there are these lyrics:

Ah, there’s so much to aim for
You can shoot at the sun
But all of it just comes and goes
There’s only so much can be done

as well as 

Oh, there’s so much to live for
So much left to give
This edition is limited
There’s only so much can be done

If those aren't depressing as hell to you, you aren't Old and Wise enough to understand and you should revisit this song (along with every other song you know) later in life. Trust me - the second time around they will mean something completely different.

We are a limited edition. We do have so much to live for and so much left to give.

But is it There’s only so much can be done as in "Meh, I tried but there's not much more I can do. There's only so much can that be done."

Or is it There’s only so much can be done as in "I am filling my remaining days with everything I can while prioritizing the most important things, but I know there's only so much that can be done."

So this song is very, very thought provoking. Through its depression, it can be motivating. 

Can being the operative word. 

It can also be destructive. Pulling you under and holding you there for what could be a very, very long time.

I wasn't willing to risk the upcoming year of this project on a can...

Shannon’s Perspective:

So much unfinished business
All sticky with desire
Raking through the empty shells
Of all the rockets we fired

Right out of the gate this song sums up everything I feel at this point in my life.  Between just being alive for over five decades and then you throw in the health issues, yeah I am very sticky with desire to finish any unfinished business. But I have to remind myself of the following...

Ah, there’s so much to aim for
You can shoot at the sun
But all of it just comes and goes
There’s only so much can be done

I sometimes get caught up in the things that need to be done, or rather that I feel need to be done, that I lose sight of the things that should get done. Then I get overwhelmed thinking about all of it and realize I can only do so much, but most importantly I remind myself.....

This edition is limited

I think we all need to remind ourselves of this as much as we can.  None of us know just how limited our edition is.  I think the most important reason we need to remind ourselves of this is....

All the warmth inside of you
Comes from those you love

What would this life really be all about if it wasn't for those we love?

So Much (Bright-Side Mix)
Peter Gabriel

So much unfinished business
All sticky with desire
Raking through the empty shells
Of all the rockets we fired

Set the navigation
For the Earth all warm and wet
And as the longing drops away
The compass is reset

Ah, there’s so much to aim for
You can shoot at the sun
But all of it just comes and goes
There’s only so much can be done

Time slips in the mirror
As an old man, I was born
But I've grown to be a baby
With a halo and a horn

Burn up like a lightning bolt
All gone within a flash
You look around to find a home
Where the asteroid will crash

Oh, there’s so much to live for
So much left to give
This edition is limited
There’s only so much can be done

Hm-hm, hm-hm
Hm-hm, hm-hm

The body stiffens, tires and aches
In its wrinkled, blotchy skin
With each decade, more camouflage
For the wild-eyed child within

Now close your eyes for a moment
Look down and look above
All the warmth inside of you
Comes from those you love

Ah, there’s so much to live for
So much left to give
This edition is limited
There’s only so much can be done

So much to aim for
Shooting up at the sun
But it all comes and goes
There’s only so much can be done

So much can be done

Only so much can be done

30th Anniversary

Our Story - Shannon's Perspective

Our Story - Larry's Perspective

Ghost of a Chance (Rush) and why?