I recently returned from a two-week camping trip through Georgia and into Tennessee. I feel like a “y’all” is appropriate here. Y’all, my favorite campground was Cloudland Canyon State Park (recap here), very pretty and great hiking. Bummer they don’t allow swimming by the waterfalls but I’m sure they have their reasons.
But, y’all, the music! Part of my trip included 8 hours on the road (which I highly DO NOT recommend during a camping trip!). I found myself cycling through 3 songs during this lengthy drive, “anything to stay awake,” I thought. There are a few themes weaved through the musical trifecta we have going on here. One commonality is that each as a pronounced instrumental moment. Two have guitars being shredded or strummed for our ears’ pleasure, and the other is a gritty piano interlude. Another connection, I can’t hear them and not sink into the meaning of life and the deep enjoyment of such talented artists saying or singing things I have never been able to express, yet they do it with such accuracy and beauty.
John Mayer “I Guess I Just Feel Like” (2021) – This one will hit you deep in your heart… I hope. Plus, the guitar solo at the end will remind you it’s all gonna be OK. The song reminds me of Orlando Bloom’s character in a favorite movie of mine, Elizabethtown. Life has ups and downs, as shown in the movie and in the lyrics of this song.
Alan Jackson “Between the Devil and Me” (1996) – How have I never heard this song until 2023!? I worked at Country Music Television for 10 years for crying out loud (until I got infamously laid off)! A gospel-type masterpiece from Mr. Jackson. Plus, the piano riff right in the middle compliments the John Mayer song quite nicely in my little song triplet playlist.
STEELHEART “I’ll Never Let You Go” (1990) – I wasn’t ready for this one the first time I heard it about a month ago (33 years after it was realeased 🤪). The range of the singer’s voice… I have no words so let’s just go with what one YouTuber says, “Dude’s voice is a nuclear grade weapon.” What was I doing in the early 90s that made me miss this song? Oh yeah, trying to not be an awkward middle schooler with parachute pants listening to Vanilla Ice.
-Out of the Wilderness
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Out of the Wilderness 