Anyone, who knows me well, knows I'm a lyric girl. It's a gift and a curse... Can't remember what I planned to make for dinner, but I can tell you all the lyrics to that 80's McDonalds commercial, where the little girl played Für Elise. Not quite as awe-inspiring as a photographic memory, but I'll take it.
I've been like this my whole life; able to recall lyrics to even obscure songs sung by TV characters (ask me what Sondra sang when she and Elvin broke up or what Danny Romalotti sang on Y&R). Those things considered, how in the world did I never give a second thought to the lyrics of one of my favorite childhood songs?
"...Panic lads, it's a red alert
There's something here from somewhere else
The war machine springs to life
Opens up one eager eye
Focusing it on the sky..."
Why did those lyrics not send shivers down my spine? Clearly my 9 or 10 year old brain was out of touch with reality. At a time where there was ever-present media coverage of the "Star Wars defense" and presidential meetings with "Gorbie" my juvenile brain was much more focused on the possibility of meeting and marrying the keyboard-player than the threat of nuclear war.
In any case, this was one of those rare occasions where an artist/band manages to spotlight a social issue whilst rockin' our socks. As the years go by, I've grown to appreciate the message as much as the groove.
