Just Breathe

Did I say that I need you?

Did I say that I want you?

Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool, you see

No one knows this more than me

As I come clean

I had to delay calling my friend yesterday as I was walking home, because I had to listen to this song another four times. Weird how a song can do that sometimes. When I finally called her I was saying how sad it is that we don't get as flat out moved by songs and movies as much as we did when we were seventeen. She agreed. 

I sense that 'Just Breathe' is one of Pearl Jam's most known songs, but I don't know? I never knew it before. I'm a bit weird like that. My knowledge of music and film is rarely in keeping with everyone else. Sometimes I discover a song and love it and people say "Ummm - it's been on the radio every day for four years" I'm just kind of oblivious. I suspect that "Just Breathe" Is not particularly famous, but then I don't know. 

The song really had me stumped -- it was communicating something to me and I wasn't quite sure what. I still feel the same. And of course, songs get wrapped up in what you're feeling and going through in your life. The first line is:

Yes I understand, 

That every life must end aw-huh. 

The song isn't just about death. I mean, maybe it is; but there's also something romantic about it, there's life in it. But death just happened to be the theme of the day, and this song fit the theme perfectly. Prior to listening to it six times on the way home, I was having dinner at my friend Stephanie's house. We traditionally talk about everything, and this time was no exception -- except we started talking about death and what we think happens afterwards. 

After I left Stephanie's and after I called Anna, I found myself at home, on Facebook, obsessively reading the Facebook wall of a friend of mine, an actress, whose husband had just died. I was hooked -- couldn't stop reading her heartbreaking statuses and those of her friends and loved ones. Facebook somehow makes death even more public and in your face than ever before. I couldn't help but look at pictures of her and her husband -- he looked so young and healthy. How can life do that? Take you away and off into the darkness? Even if there is a heaven or a meeting point of some kind, everyone on Earth is left with the ghosts of people who disappeared. 

I'm a lucky man to count on both hands 
the ones I love

Some folks just have one, 
yeah others they got none, aw huh

Stay with me, oh let's just breathe

Somehow 'Just Breathe' captured everything I was feeling. How often does a song do that? Not often enough. But that's why music is important. That's why we love it. Not just to have something to listen to as a way of passing time. We love it because occasionally it's everything. 

Nothing you would take

Everything you gave

Hold me till I die

Meet you on the other side