all kinds of time

do you ever have a song that you feel like carries an important message, meant for you, that’s deeper than the lyrics appear on a surface level? for example, the first time i heard “fix you” by coldplay i had an immediate emotional reaction that i still haven’t quite nailed down after who knows how many spins. it’s visceral. spiritual.

the lyrics and the musical arrangement, when combined with certain of your own life experiences, current circumstances or surroundings, take on more meaning.

i realize that in some circles it’s considered silly to try to give meaning to a song that may or may not be intended by the songwriter. and many songwriters enjoy being just vague enough. not so literal or specific that the song loses a universal appeal, but lyrically detailed enough that you want to know the real story. Then you can find out if your particular connection to the song is warranted.

“all kinds of time” by fountains of wayne is another song that has been working on me for a couple of years. in my gut i know that it’s about more than football, but i can’t quite grasp the larger meaning that i should be getting.  before i go sputtering through my working personal application, i wonder if anyone would care to offer some ideas.  depending on the interest, i may post again about my own thoughts on it.

(warning - this is one of those songs that loses some of its guts when you’re just reading the lyrics. i suggest paying the .99 cents and downloading it from iTunes to get the full effect.)

all kinds of time
by fountains of wayne
from cd, welcome interstate managers

The clock’s running down
The team’s losing ground
To the opposing defense
The young quarterback
Waits for the snap
When suddenly it all starts to make sense

He’s got all kinds of time
He’s got all kinds of time
All kinds of time
He’s got all kinds of time
All kinds of time

He takes a step back
He’s under attack
But he knows that no one can touch him now
He seems so at ease
A strange inner peace
Is all that he’s feeling somehow

He’s got all kinds of time
He’s got all kinds of time
All kinds of time
He’s got all kinds of time
All kinds of time
He thinks of his mother
He thinks of his bride-to-be
He thinks of his father
His two younger brothers
Gathered around the widescreen TV

He looks to the left
He looks to the right
And there in a golden ray of light
Is his open man
Just as he planned
The whole world is his tonight