Today is the summer solstice - so welcome to summer!

To me Fastball's "The Way" is one of those quintessential summer songs. Upbeat, hopeful, and fantastic lyrics. "Exit to an eternal summer slacking" is one of the greatest lines ever.

It's a romanticized take on what happened to an elderly couple that disappeared while heading to a nearby family reunion. The wife had Alzheimer's disease and the husband was recovering from brain surgery. Unfortunately they were discovered dead at the bottom of a canyon far from their destination. I prefer the song's version of events, and imagine that they are still driving around with the top down, wind in their hair and the sun shining gold on their skin.

"They made up their minds
And they started packing
They left before the sun came up that day
An exit to eternal summer slacking
But where were they going without ever
Knowing the way?

They drank up the wine
And they got to talking
They now had more important things to say
And when the car broke down they started walking
Where were they going without ever
Knowing the way?

Anyone can see the road that they walk on
Is paved in gold
And it's always summer
They'll never get cold
They'll never get hungry
They'll never get old and grey
You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere
They won't make it home
But they really don't care
They wanted the highway
They're happier there today, today

Their children woke up
And they couldn't find them
They left before the sun came up that day
They just drove off and left it all behind 'em
But where were they going without ever
Knowing the way?"

Additional info:

• Wikipedia: Fastball
• Video: "The Way" at YouTube
• Song at iTunes: Pets
• Album at Amazon: All the Pain Money Can Buy

» Tags: Song of the day, Music, iTunes

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Published: (2006-06-21 16:39:16.0)