Post 191 | Helplessness Blues

So a while back I heard this song on WXRT 93.1 the classic rock radio station in Chicago and I thought it sounded alright. Later that weekend I heard it again so, being the person I am, Shazamed it. Helplessness Blues, alright I'll check that out at some point. I hear it again, Shazam it again, oh wait I already Shazamed that song, I guess I like it!

So hear I am, having bought the song and listening to it I cannot get enough of this wonderful song. It is 12:26am and I am rocking out in my chair while my roommate sleeps. I love the song but I also love the lyrics. I am about to dive into them a little bit so here is a link to the lyrics and one to the song on YouTube.

The song starts out with the set up of being raised up a child with your parents telling you how unique you are and how special you are and how you are going to make a difference in the world. "A snowflake distinct among snowflakes..."

Then it moves into this somewhat depressing part where our narrator says he wants to be part of the machine. He goes through this change in thought where he wants to do nothing but serve. "Tell me what I should do."

However, throughout the song we get the chorus saying he does not know what he will do or who to believe. This sense of being lost, and the thing is I am in touch with that so much. I know what it is like to be lost and be confused and in some ways just want to do what people tell you to do to survive day by day.

However, in the end he talks about a peaceful life, working in an orchard. "If I had an orchard I'd work till I'm soar..." The funny thing I was just thinking about simply moving to California and try and make it as a wine maker or perhaps Florida and grow oranges. Sounds like something I could do. It'd be really hard work, yeah, but in the end living that kind of life might be very peaceful.

I really like the song and am going to do some digging into the Fleet Foxes some more, I want to know what else they have in that music library of theirs. Thanks for reading. Tell your friends to come.