My Gen X Playlist: Jukebox Hero – Foreigner

Daily writing prompt

How would you describe yourself to someone who can’t see you?

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So, I had to do a double take. Didn’t we just describe ourselves the other day? OK, it’s a slight variation, but the feelings are the same. You see, I don’t really enjoy talking about myself or seek the spotlight – I’m happy to avoid both if I can. That is not to say that I don’t have an ego or confidence. On the contrary, I have a healthy dose of both. But I find myself uncomfortable being the center of attention. This has played out throughout my career. I’ve worked with many talented people who love speaking with all eyes trained on them. Some may argue, but I consider this a type of skill set that led to very successful careers. Although not in my career path, I’ve been fortunate to progress in a lane that only requires an occasional toe dip on center stage. I jump in, then jump out. I found my niche and I’m good where I am. It’s human nature, though, to wish for something that we don’t have or are not. If I’m going to be honest, I sometimes wish I had that gene or maybe just a sliver of it. It would be wild to be a little like Foreigner’s Jukebox Hero, wanting to be a rockstar standing on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans. But I don’t and I’m not and I’m OK with that. I’ve lived enough years to know this is something you just can’t fake. In the end, I fine staying in my lane. I’m comfortable just being me.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Standing in the rain, with his head hung low
Couldn't get a ticket, it was a sold out show
Heard the roar of the crowd, he could picture the scene
Put his ear to the wall, then like a distant scream

He heard one guitar, just blew him away
He saw stars in his eyes, and the very next day
Bought a beat up six string in a secondhand store
Didn't know how to play it, but he knew for sure

That one guitar, felt good in his hands
Didn't take long, to understand
Just one guitar, slung way down low
Was one way ticket, only one way to go

So he started rockin'
Ain't never gonna stop
Gotta keep on rockin'
Someday he's gonna make it to the top

And be a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
He's a juke box hero
He took one guitar, juke box hero, stars in his eyes
Juke box hero, he'll come alive tonight

In a town without a name, in a heavy downpour
Thought he passed his own shadow, by the backstage door
Like a trip through the past, to that day in the rain
And that one guitar made his whole life change

Now he needs to keep rockin'
He just can't stop
Gotta keep on rockin'
That boy has got to stay on top

And be a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
He's a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
Yeah, juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
With that one guitar he'll come alive
Come alive tonight

Yeah, he's gotta keep rockin'
He just can't stop
Gotta keep on rockin'
That boy has got to stay on top

And be a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
He's a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
Just one guitar, put stars in his eyes
He's just a juke box hero, aah aah aah
Juke box hero, juke box hero, he's got stars in his eyes
Stars in his eyes