"Come On Up To The House" - Tom Waits

**Well, I figured I needed to post today, because it is my 1 year blog anniversary!! Thank you to everyone for your interest, comments and support**

Of course I have heard of Tom Waits.  How could I not have? I'm music obsessed (Exhibit A: my Blog).  Until lately, I wouldn't have called myself a Tom Waits "fan", and I certainly wouldn't have blogged about him. People have tried to introduce me to Tom Waits in the same way I remember my high school friends introducing me to alcohol.

Booze

Step 1. Peer pressure - "You'll really like it"

Step 2. Hesitation - I wasn't sure that I would like it, and was a bit nervous to try.

Step 3. I tried, and found out that I did enjoy it. 

Step 4.  I decided that I didn't need to like ALL types of alcohol to "like" drinking, just as I didn't need to like every song or everything about Tom Waits to "like" him.

The first time I heard Tom Wait's voice in "Downtown Train", I actually thought it was some sort of joke. I've never heard vocals quite like his. My favorite, and the most accurate description I've ever heard of his voice was one I've used in a previous blog post. Critic, Daniel Durchholz described his voice as sounding, "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."  I'm surprised that I haven't swooned for Mr.Waits sooner, because he reminds me alot of my first love - Bob Dylan.  It's like finding yourself falling for someone new, but realizing you like them partly because you see qualities in them that remind you of a former lover.

It took me a bit to wrap my head around the enigma that is Tom Waits.  I couldn't decide whether he was crazy, or a genius.  Eventually I came to the conclusion that he is both - a crazy, genius.  As much as he reminds me of Dylan, he is his own force.  Waits is indescribable and incomparable; qualities that make a legend. He views things in a different type of light.  He makes comparisons, references, and uses language in a way that the average person would never think to, "Well you're high on top, of your mountain of woe."

Aurora Borealis

But I refuse to analyze Waits anymore, in the same way you don't analyze a sunset or Aurora Borealis.  You feel blessed to witness something so incredible that you can't question it, you just stand back and appreciate. 

Tom Waits

Waits ended his 1999 album, "Mule Variations", with the song, "Come On Up To The House."  My brother introduced me to this song, describing it as "beautiful". My brother, who is your typical hockey-playing, rum-drinking boy, actually used the word "beautiful". He was right.  In "Come On Up The House" Tom Waits uses his grizzly bear growl, to describe a safe haven/hope in a dark world.  "Well the moon is broken, And the sky is cracked, Come on up to the house."  He paraphrases a question by 17th century philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, "Does life seem nasty, brutish and short?" and answers with, "Come on up the house."

In a fan forum the line, "Come down off the cross, We can use the wood" is interpreted as meaning, "That all the energy you put into self-pity in an attempt to alienate yourself or rise above everybody else, could be put into building something worthwhile."

Well the moon is broken
And the sky is cracked
Come on up to the house
The only things that you can see
Is all that you lack
Come on up to the house

All your cryin don't do no good
Come on up to the house
Come down off the cross
We can use the wood
Come on up to the house

Come on up to the house
Come on up to the house
The world is not my home
I'm just a passin thru
Come on up to the house

There's no light in the tunnel
No irons in the fire
Come on up to the house
And your singin lead soprano
In a junkman's choir
You gotta come on up to the house

Does life seem nasty, brutish and short
Come on up to the house
The seas are stormy
And you can't find no port
Come on up to the house
There's nothin in the world

(Chorus)

there's nothin in the world
that you can do
you gotta come on up to the house
and you been whipped by the forces
that are inside you

come on up to the house
well you're high on top
of your mountain of woe
come on up to the house
well you know you should surrender
but you can't let go
you gotta come on up to the house

(Chorus)

2011 Grammy Review

Love this guy

Ok, so I don't normally do this type of thing. I consider myself more of a music lover than a music critic. I tuned into the Grammy's last night for the first time in many years. I had decided to watch them for the sole purpose of seeing my hero, Bob Dylan perform. I saw him live in concert a couple of years ago (which by the way I had assumed would be one of the most important moments of my life), and was so let down and unsatisfied that I had been holding a bit of a grudge. When I heard he was going to be at the Grammy's I knew that I had to watch, because the love that I have for this man is an unconditional kind. I have alot to say about last night - and not many people I know are as intense or opinionated about music as I am, so I wanted to share my thoughts with you guys :) I'm only going to talk about the performances I had particularly strong opinions about - and as for rest of the performances I either liked them or didn't care at all.

Not really my scene

The show opened with an Aretha Franklin tribute - feat. Florence Welch, Martina Mcbride, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson and Yolanda Adams. Now I can't remember where I read it, (because i'd link to them if I did) but someone wrote that it was a poor choice to open the Grammy's with a tribute to the past - when it should have been with a representation of the future of music. I completely agree - and I know I might lose a few fans by saying this - but I am actually not an Aretha Franklin fan. Don't get me wrong, the lady has a set of pipes on her and a pile of mega hits - but I'm not that type of girl. I'm not into women's lib. So if I have to hear anything more about being R-E-S-P-E-C-T ed or feeling like a "natural woman", I think I might barf. Needless to say this set didn't do it for me.

Hot rack Gaga, literally

Moving on to Lady Gaga. I'm a huge fan of Lady Gaga personally as well as her music. I like her "I don't give a shit what you think and I�m going to keep doing what I do because it makes me happy" attitude. Her performance of "Born This Way", was great, but I didn't expect anything less from her. I thought the "wow" factor was low- sure she had some weird sort of shoulder implants, but I suppose it's hard to top shooting fireworks out of your bra.

Justin Bieber & Usher -  I"m not a fan of either so I'm quite biased. I was impressed though that the little "Bieb" started off his set with an acoustic solo. Honestly I think as a society we spend so much time and energy obsessing over this pre-pubescent boy and his immature hits that we are oblivious to the all of the AMAZING talent out there.  Hence why I started my blog.

Sidenote -who the eff is Esperanza and how did she win best new artist? Is she so new that she just came out with her album yesterday? Is this why we haven't heard of her? How did she beat out Mumford & Sons, Drake, Florence & The Machine & Bieber?

Bob Dylan, Mumford & Sons, The Avett Brothers

Speaking of amazing. Mumford & Sons, The Avett Brothers & Bob Dylan actually blew my mind. Mind is blown. I had kind of thought of the folk/bluegrass movement as a dead or underground scene, but I see it slowly making it's way back with the help of bands like this. Watching The Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons sing was incredible. The expressions on their face indicated that they might actually be in pain from singing so hard. Their performances came straight from their guts.  I'll blog about both bands later so I won't get too much into them. A final note on Dylan, I was happy to see him in the same way someone in an abuse relationship is always happy to see their lover.  He did do a mean harmonica solo, but I wasn't impressed by the song choice.  "Maggie's Farm" is not a Dylan song I would typically even consider worth mentioning.  Being an avid/obsessive fan I know that there are dozens of songs that would have been a better choice.  I'm thinking I should be on the Grammy committee next year. 

Lady Antebellum did a good job - and performed well, but I didn't particularly think they deserved some of the awards they won. They were up against some heavy hitters with real talent, like Eminem and Jay-Z.

Oh Cee Lo

Surprisingly I found myself really liking Cee Lo Green's performance of "Forget You". Dressed as a giant bird/butterfly?? - in an Elton John-esque manner with a set of muppets as his back-up band. This is what I expecte to see at the Grammy's - unnecessary bling, glitz and "wow" factor. 

I'm a Katy Perry fan for the most part - but was disappointed with her performance. I thought for sure she'd do something insane or wacky but instead she spent most of the time in a non-cleavage revealing dress on a giant swing while her wedding video played in the background. Unwanted and uncalled for PDA. We know you love your husband, but no one cares Katy.

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I love the way he lies

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My second favorite performance of the night was by Eminem/Rihanna/Skylar Grey and Dr Dre. I must say that Rihanna has grown on me over time. I like seeing her mix it up with rappers like Eminem, Ludacris etc. Everyone seems to like Eminem better as an angry rapper as opposed to the goofy "Slim Shady" persona. The crowd went wild for him. I like that Eminem never hesitates to throw a bone to Dr.Dre who would otherwise fade into the atmosphere. "Forgot about Dre" is one of my favorite hip hop songs but I often do "Forget" about Dre. It's nice to see him and Eminem out together again. This performance received a much deserved standing O from the audience.

I was stoked to see Mick Jagger on stage performing "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" as a tribute to the late Solomon Burke. Hot damn that old guy has still got it, even at 67 years of age. My only disappointment was that his partner in crime, the ashes-snorting-loveable-trainwreck, Keith Richards didn't join him.

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Arcade Fire for the win!

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Finally - how surprised/thrilled were you guys to see Arcade Fire there? Not only did they perform (twice) but they took home the award for "Album of the Year"! They stuck out like a sore thumb in between the "Biebs","Drakes" and "Gaga's". The band is so humble and authentic and they completely deserved that win. One of my favorite quotes is from their song "Ready to Start" which they performed live, "I would rather be alone,Than pretend I feel alright."

Well there's my ranting - feel free to criticize/agree with me and post your comments! Any feedback is good feedback right? I'll post later in the week - likely about Mumford & Son or The Avett Brothers.

"Wagon Wheel - The Old Crow Medicine Show

Qigong = no pain

"Pain is just a state of mind�. Qigong is a Chinese term that describes different Chinese systems of physical and mental training for health, martial arts and self enlightenment. Shaolin Monks practice qigong, which allows them to block out pain completely. I think that pain is both physical and mental. Strength is not defined by eliminating pain, but by having the capacity to overcome it. I'm skeptical if one could actually "think" themselves out of pain, but I do believe there are mental techniques to reduce or manage it.

Ouch

A few weeks ago I was getting another tattoo done (definitely not my first) which took about 3 hours. At the beginning of the appointment I was tense, focusing on the pain, and could barely stop myself from crying. Please note my tattoo artist thought that was hilarious. I put my IPod on, and reminded myself to breathe and relax. I focused on the songs and my breathing, and almost instantly I felt some of the pain subside. When my IPod shuffled to "Wagon Wheel" by "The Old Crow Medicine Show", I recited all of the lyrics in my head and relaxed to the sound of the fiddle. I told my tattoo artist that I would keep "Wagon Wheel" on repeat until he finished my tattoo as incentive for him to hurry up (his taste in music being more of the metallic kind). I walked out of the tattoo shop with a sore arm, new ink, and a new-found love for "Wagon Wheel."

I have to give credit to my little brother again for turning me onto this song. He introduced it to me as, "this is the next song you will blog about." He was clearly right, (ughh) don't tell him. When I discovered that there was a nice Bob Dylan tie-in to this song I couldn't resist raving about it to all of you "High Fidelity" readers out there.

My Hero

Bob Dylan originally recorded "Rock Me Mama" (The song's original title) for the "Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid" movie soundtrack. Dylan left the song unfinished (The chorus from "Wagon Wheel" is his) and "Rock Me Mama" was later released on one of his Bootleg CD's. Ketch Secor, lead vocalist for The Old Crow Medicine Show, picked up what Dylan had started and finished the song's lyrics in what he describes as a partially autobiographical reference to his own life. The song tells the story of a man who travels from New England, through Philadelphia, down the eastern coast of the United States, ending up in Raleigh, North Carolina where he hopes to see his lover. Secor sings "If I die in Raleigh, at least I will die free." Bob Dylan approved of the song and is listed as a co-writer along with Secor. O.C.M.S performed it for the legend himself on Dylan's 60th Birthday. 

"Wagon Wheel" has become the anthem for O.C.M.S, but Secor says that the song originates prior to the bands formation.

"I heard a Dylan song that was unfinished back in high school and I finished it . . As a serious Bob Dylan fan, I was listening to anything he had put on tape, and this was an outtake of something he had mumbled out on one of those tapes. I sang it all around the country from about 17 to 26, before I ever even thought, 'oh I better look into this.'"

Old Crow Medicine Show

Old Crow Medicine Show was discovered while they were busking outside of a pharmacy in North Carolina by the daughter of country/folk legend Doc Watson. Doc Watson invited the band to take part in his annual MerleFest.  That break led to a mentorship between the band and Marty Stuart, President of the Grand Ole Opry, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. From that point on the band began releasing albums, touring and rocking all around the country like a "Wagon Wheel."



Headed down south to the land of the pines

And I'm thumbin' my way into North Caroline
Starin' up the road
Pray to God I see headlights


I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Pickin' me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
And I'm a-hopin' for Raleigh
I can see my baby tonight

So rock me, mama, like a wagon wheel
Rock me, mama, any way you feel
Hey, mama rock me


Rock me, mama, like the wind and the rain
Rock me, mama, like a south-bound train
Hey, mama rock me

Runnin' from the cold up in New England
I was born to be a fiddler in an old-time string band
My baby plays the guitar
I pick a banjo now

Oh, the North country winters keep a-gettin' me now
Lost my money playin' poker so I had to up and leave
But I ain't a-turnin' back
To livin' that old life no more

So rock me, mama, like a wagon wheel
Rock me, mama, any way you feel
Hey, mama rock me


Rock me, mama, like the wind and the rain
Rock me, mama, like a south-bound train
Hey, mama rock me

Walkin' to the south out of Roanoke
I caught a trucker out of Philly
Had a nice long toke

But he's a-headed west from the Cumberland Gap
To Johnson City, Tennessee
And I got to get a move on before the sun

I hear my baby callin' my name
And I know that she's the only one
And if I die in Raleigh
At least I will die free


So rock me, mama, like a wagon wheel
Rock me, mama, any way you feel
Hey, mama rock me

Rock me, mama, like the wind and the rain
Rock me, mama, like a south-bound train
Hey, mama rock me

"Sleepwalker" - The Wallflowers

Since Bob Dylan is my "God", I guess that would make his son, Jakob Dylan the equivalent of my "Jesus". The thing that sets Jakob Dylan apart from most other famous musician's offspring is that his genes are not his claim to fame. He doesn't leverage his famous DNA to further his career. Everything Jakob has accomplished has been through his own talent and perseverance. It can't have been easy to succeed in the shadow of his famous father, but Jakob has held his own. In an interview with Jakob, Scott Gold, a Times staff writer, describes the cross that Jakob bears; "For 45 years, Bob Dylan's fans have walked a fine line between devoted and obsessive. One piece of fascination -- to both artists' chagrin -- has long focused on Jakob Dylan, the only Dylan child who elected to become a recording artist.�

Jakob was born the youngest of four children to Bob Dylan and his ex-wife Sara. Bob and Sara had the highest profile relationship of any of Dylan's romances. At least two of Bob's songs were directly written about her, "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands", and "Sara". The latter of which was an attempt to reconcile their disintegrating marriage. Jakob has commented that the Bob Dylan album, "Blood on the Tracks", is effectively a conversation between his parents. He has also admitted that one of his dad�s more famous songs, �Forever Young�, was written about him.

Jakob fronted the successful nineties band, The Wallflowers. He has also had a successful solo career as well. "Sleepwalker", was the first single off of The Wallflowers third album, "Breach". Very much like his father, much of what Jakob writes is mysterious and complicated. To sit and try decipher this song would drive me mad, so I won't offer my opinion on what the song means this time - instead i'll offer a bit of insight into one of the lyrics.

Bob Dylan often referred to famed folk singer, Sam Cooke, in his writing and Jakob Dylan seems to have followed suit. One fan breaks down the reference for us; "Cupid, don't draw back your bow, Sam Cooke didn't know what I know", refers to Cooke, in at least two different ways. Sam Cooke wrote and sang "Cupid", (Cupid, draw back your bow.."). Dylan reverses the line and asks "Cupid" to spare him from falling in love. He also plays on another one of Cooke's lyrics, "I don't know much about history..geography..(etc.) but I know that I love you and I know that if you love me too, what a wonderful world it would be." Jakob sings, "Sam Cooke didn't know what I know", meaning that love isn't the wonderful thing Cooke thought it was.

There is essence of a young Bob Dylan in Jakob Dylan's gravelly voice, and in the sophistication of his lyrics. He is very much like his father in the sense that he remains a mystery to the media and keeps his private life very private. I tried to find the acoustic version of "Sleepwalker" - which  I prefer - but couldn't find a link with video. Definetly download the acoustic version.

For links to other Jakob Dylan interview check out 

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/08/entertainment/ca-dylan8/4

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/08/arts/music/08decu.html?pagewanted=all

Maybe I could be the one they adore

That could be my reputation
It's where I'm from that lets them think I'm a whore
I'm an educated virgin

Sleepwalker, don't be shy
Now don't open your eyes tonight
You'll be the one that defends my life
While I'm dead asleep dreamin'

Cupid, don't draw back your bow
Sam Cooke didn't know what I know
I'll never be your valentine
The sleepwalker in me
And God only know that I've tried

Let me in, let me drown or learn how to swim
Just don't leave me at the window
I could be the one to be your next best friend
You may need someone to hold you

Sleepwalker, take this knife
You may see someone tonight
You'd be the one that saves my life
When I'm dead asleep dreamin'

Cupid, don't draw back your bow
Sam Cooke didn't know what I know
I'll never be your valentine
The sleepwalker in me
And God only know that I've tried


I'm in your movie and everyone looks sad
But I can hear you, your voice, the laughtrack
But you never saw my best scene
The one where I sleep
Sleepwalk into your dreams


Now, sleepwalker, what's my line
It's only a matter of time
Until I learn to open up my eyes
When I'm dead asleep dreamin'
Cupid, don't draw back your bow
Sam Cooke didn't know what I know
I'll never be your valentine
The sleepwalker in me

Now, the sleepwalker in me
Now, the sleepwalker in me
And God only know that I've tried

"Tonight" - Emy Reynolds Band

It�s always hard to find a consistent source for good, new music. One surprising source that I�ve found is actually "Grey's Anatomy" - the TV show. Whether or not you are a fan of hospital drama the show consistently plays great songs by new artists every week. One week I was watching the show among other things (like painting my nails, or downloading music on my laptop) when I first heard "Tonight". I wasn't really paying attention to the TV but when I heard the melody I immediately rewound my PVR so I could catch the lyrics. I wrote down a few verses and after not much luck with Google I finally found the song guide for that episode.

Joan Baez & Bob Dylan

I'm not a huge fan of most female singers - I prefer the growl of a man instead, but Emy Reynolds caught my attention. She sounds ethereal and folksy - almost like a younger Joan Baez. It's no surprise the band lists Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell as some of their influences.

The song "Tonight" definitely draws from folk roots. It seems to tell the story of a girl from a poor family whose Mother lies about her past to make for a better future. The finger picking and harmonica remind me of something Bob Dylan would have written in his younger days. "Tonight" was the Emy Reynold Bands first EP and first song to air on a TV show.Best wishes to them on future success.



She was from Kansas
Worked in a dairy
Eight brothers and sisters
Her mom she said she was from France
Her mom said she was from France
But she was from New Mexico
And she was from New Mexico

And tonight, tonight,
I will have to say goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye
Tomorrow, Tomorrow
If my heart is full of sorrow
I will call out for you


Lived in a trailer
Painted the skies
She said she had no life there
And she said she had no life there


And tonight, tonight,
I will have to say goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye
Tomorrow, Tomorrow
If my heart is full of sorrow
I will call out for you

And tonight, tonight,
I will have to say goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye
Tomorrow, Tomorrow
If my heart is full of sorrow
I will call out for you
Call out for you

Go ahead and tell that story
I will learn it again and again
Your smile, laugh and words
Like damn are bringing me home

Go ahead and tell that story
I will learn it again and again
Your smile, laugh and words
Like damn are bringing me home

And tonight, tonight,
I will have to say goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye
Tomorrow, Tomorrow
If my heart is full of sorrow
I will call out for you

And tonight, tonight,
I will have to say goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye
Tomorrow, Tomorrow
If my heart is full of sorrow
I will call out for you
Call out for you

"Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" - Bob Dylan

Trying to choose a favorite Bob Dylan song is not only impossible it's immoral.  It's like asking someone to choose their favorite child.  I don't love all his songs equally, but I do love them all in different ways.  "Don't Think Twice It's All Right" is one of those rare songs that stops me in my tracks.  When I hear the cadence of the fingerpicking I get lost in the melody.

I"m not sure I ever knew what love was until I listened to Bob Dylan. If anyone has been able to accurately describe love it would be Dylan. The picture of love that he paints in my head can all be summed up in one image, the cover of his second album, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan". It's a photo of Dylan and his girlfriend at the time, Suze Rotolo.

Dylan described this song in his liner notes as "It isn't a love song. It's a statement that maybe you can say to make yourself feel better... as if you were talking to yourself."  He wrote this song after finding out that his lover, Rotolo,  was staying in Italy indefinitely. Howard Sounes, a Dylan Biographer, commented: "The greatness of the song was in the cleverness of the language. The phrase "don't think twice, it's all right" could be snarled, sung with resignation, or delivered with an ambigous mixture of bitterness and regret. Seldom has the contradictory emotions of a thwarted lover been so well express, and the song transcended the autobiographical orgins of Dylan's pain."

G-Rated Porn

Some people have mantra's, a few words or a prayer they use to meditate. "Don't Think Twice, It's' All Right" has become my mantra.  To me the meaning is simple -don't over-think things too much.  Trust yourself and trust your gut and everything will be alright.  There have been men that I've loved but never a man whose words meant so much to me.  I''ve tattooed my "mantra" on my rib cage - close to my heart.  It will serve as a reminder when I need it most that as long as I stay true to myself I can never go wrong.

It ain�t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It don�t matter, anyhow
An� it ain�t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
If you don�t know by now

When your rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window and I�ll be gone
You�re the reason I�m trav�lin� on
Don�t think twice, it�s all right

It ain�t no use in turnin� on your light, babe
That light I never knowed
An� it ain�t no use in turnin� on your light, babe
I�m on the dark side of the road

Still I wish there was somethin� you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talkin� anyway
So don�t think twice, it�s all right

It ain�t no use in callin� out my name, gal
Like you never did before
It ain�t no use in callin� out my name, gal
I can�t hear you anymore

I�m a-thinkin� and a-wond�rin� all the way down the road
I once loved a woman, a child I�m told
I give her my heart but she wanted my soul
But don�t think twice, it�s all right

I�m walkin� down that long, lonesome road, babe
Where I�m bound, I can�t tell
But goodbye�s too good a word, gal
So I�ll just say fare thee well

I ain�t sayin� you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don�t mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don�t think twice, it�s all right

"Walls" - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Bob Dylan & Tom Petty would never break my heart

Without sounding overly dramatic or too much like a skirt, there are two men in my life that have always made me happy, and that have never hurt me.  The first is Bob Dylan, and the second is Tom Petty.  There is an energy and a vibe, and an all around Aura that Mr.Petty has that just makes me feel good.  With songs like "You Don't Know How it Feels" and "Girl on LSD",  it's easy to peg this man as a hippie pothead.  I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be wrong with the aforementioned judgment,  but you would be underestimating someone who I believe to be one of the most talented and insightful music legends of our time. 

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This is what a "joint" looks like

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In honor of Tom Petty's newly announced North American tour this summer I wanted to showcase one of his lesser known songs.  In 1996 Petty worked on an album for the movie "She's the One" with Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz. "Walls" is one of the singles from the movie's soundtrack and it features Lindsey Buckingham from Fleetwood Mac. 

I've always really liked the message of this song.  Walls are considered strong and indestructible - but even they can "fall down". Even the strongest structures will break under pressure, and even the best of us can be destroyed by something. People have become so afraid to show their weakness because they think it makes them vulnerable, "And all around your island, There's a barricade, It keeps out the danger, It holds in the pain." I think it only makes them human. After all if we never feel weakness we could never teach ourselves to be stronger.  My favorite line of the song is, "Some days are diamonds, Some days are rocks." Rumor has it that the line was actually something Johnny Cash once said to Petty - who liked it so much he later used it in this song. Life is just a series of moments and it is forever changing - so treasure the days that are "diamonds", and forget the ones that are "rocks". 

The video I posted is a live version - it's a bit different from the album version - faster tempo.

Some days are diamonds
Some days are rocks
Some doors are open
Some roads are blocked


Sundowns are golden
Then fade away
But if I never do nothing
I'll get you back some day


Cause you got a heart so big
It could crush this town
And I can't hold out forever
Even walls fall down


And all around your island
There's a barricade
It keeps out the danger
It holds in the pain


Sometimes you're happy
Sometimes you cry
Half of me is ocean
Half of me is sky

But you got a heart so big

It could crush this town
And I can't hold out forever
Even walls fall down


And some things are over
Some things go on
And part of me you carry
Part of me is gone


But you got a heart so big

It could crush this town

And I can't hold out forever
Even walls fall down

Baby you got a heart so big

It could crush this town
And I can't hold out forever
Even walls fall down
They fall down