My Gen X Playlist: Loving Strangers – Russian Red

Two tickets to Spain, please.

Years ago, I discovered the movie The Way by Emilio Estevez. It’s a moving story about a father (Martin Sheen) who travels overseas to recover the remains of his estranged son (Emilio Estevez) who was killed in the Pyrenees while walking the Camino de Santiago. Instead of returning home, he decides to make the 500 mile pilgrimage to honor his son and finish his journey. While on the Camino, he meets other pilgrims from around the world with their own issues, each looking for greater meaning in their lives. Along the way, he discovers the difference between “the life we live and life we choose”.

Since watching this movie, the Camino de Santiago entered the number one slot on my bucket list. The thought of a long pilgrimage for self-reflection in search of meaning – man, this got me. This is exactly what the doctor ordered. Years drowning in career, I’ve often felt the absence of life and inspiration. I’ve found myself at the point where I’m searching for the next chapter in life and five hundred miles is a long way to figure all this out. The Way inspired me to begin thinking about what could be next. It all begins with a first step.

My initial playlist thought was drawn to Alanis Morisette’s Thank You that was included on the soundtrack. Instead, I’m adding the lesser known Russian Red to the playlist to keep with the Spanish theme. They are an indie folk band from Spain that I happened to discover while down a YouTube rabbit hole listening to new music. I hope you enjoy Loving Strangers.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Loving strangers, loving strangers
Loving strangers, oh
Loving strangers, loving strangers
Loving strangers, oh

I’ve got a hole in my pocket
Where all the money has gone
I’ve got a whole lot of work
To do with your heart
‘Cause it’s so busy, mine’s not

Loving strangers, loving strangers
Loving strangers, oh
Loving strangers, loving strangers
Loving strangers, oh

It’s just the start of the winter
And I’m all alone
But I’ve got my eye right on you

Give me a coin
And I’ll take you to the moon
Now give me a bill
And I’ll kiss you so foolishly

Like you do when you lie
When you’re not in my thoughts
Like you do when you lie
And I know it’s not my imagination

Loving strangers, loving strangers
Loving strangers, oh
Loving strangers, loving strangers
Loving strangers, oh

Loving strangers, loving strangers
Loving strangers, oh
Loving strangers, loving strangers
Loving strangers, oh