My Gen X Playlist: Round Here – Counting Crows

I stopped by my mom’s house the other day to help pick figs from her tree. This year’s crop was a bit sparse. I’m not sure why. Instead of an invasion of fig beetles, we had a bunch of crows feasting on the figs this year. We were able to pick only a basketful this time. We left some unripened fruit on the tree that I’ll come by to pick again next week.

Figs are wonderful in salads and smoothies. They are even delicious eaten fresh off the tree. Just ask the crows. They were happy campers this season. I’ll have to think of something to solve this new crow problem for next season. I read on a blog that the sun’s reflection off a hanging CD helps ward off the birds. I may have to give that a try. But if I had to choose between crows or fig beetles, I’ll choose crows every time. Those fig beetles freak me out a bit. Check out the posted picture from our tree. This is a tame version. Sometimes there are twice as many fig beetles on one fig. It’s no fun when you reach into the tree and get a handful of bugs. At least the crows keep to themselves and fly away when I come near. So I pick crows. Crows every time.

I have a bunch of Counting Crows CDs. My favorite is their debut August and Everything After. Here’s a good one from that album – Round Here.

“This is a song about me,” lead singer Adam Duritz said of this song on Counting Crows VH1 Storytellers appearance. Said Duritz: “The song begins with a guy walking out the front door of his house and leaving behind this woman. But the more he begins to leave people behind in his life, the more he feels like he’s leaving himself behind as well, and the less substantial he feels about himself. That’s sort of what the song’s about: even as he disappears from the lives of people, he’s disappearing more and more from his own life.”

Songfacts

The decision to leave people behind is a mixed bag. Some are reluctant, either on their part or our own. Then there are others where there is a clear need for separation. Buh-bye. But every once in a while there are those that leave without notice, not from lack of caring, but because a busy life gets in the way. For those I can see the loss. Grace from the blog JustTawkin once left a comment on my blog that I think fits quite right.

“We have three types of friends in life: friends for a reason, friends for a season, and friends for a lifetime.”

I really like how this nearly puts parameters around different types of friendships. And being able to delineate like this makes the absence more understandable. Reason, season, lifetime. Yep, I get it. I appreciate this new mental framework. Thank you, Grace.

Oh, and I also noticed the quote doesn’t make reference to fig beetles or crows. It’s safe to say I can ditch both of them and remain guilt free. I’ll gladly take that. Buh-bye…

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Step out the front door like a ghost
Into a fog where no one notices
The contrast of white on white

And in between the moon and you
The angels get a better view
Of the crumbling difference between wrong and right

Well, I walk in the air between the rain
Through myself and back again
Where? I don't know
Maria says she's dying
Through the door, I hear her crying
Why? I don't know

'Round here, we always stand up straight
'Round here, something radiates

Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand
She said she'd like to meet a boy who looks like Elvis
And she walks along the edge of where the ocean meets the land
Just like she's walking on a wire in the circus
She parks her car outside of my house and takes her clothes off
Says she's close to understanding Jesus
And she knows she's more than just a little misunderstood
She has trouble acting normal when she's nervous

'Round here, we're carving out our names
'Round here, we all look the same
'Round here, we talk just like lions
But we sacrifice like lambs
'Round here, she's slipping through my hands

Sleeping children better run like the wind
Out of the lightning dream
Mama's little baby better get herself in
Out of the lightning

She says, "It's only in my head"
She says, "Shh, I know it's only in my head"

But the girl on the car in the parking lot
Says, "Man, you should try to take a shot
Can't you see my walls are crumbling?"
Then she looks up at the building
Says she's thinking of jumping
She says she's tired of life
She must be tired of something

'Round here, she's always on my mind
'Round here, hey man, I got lots of time
'Round here, we're never sent to bed early
And nobody makes us wait
'Round here we stay up very, very, very, very late

I can't see nothing, nothing
Around here
You catch me if I'm falling
You catch me if I'm falling
Will you catch me? 'Cause I'm falling down on you
I said I'm under the gun
'Round here
Oh man I said I'm under the gun
'Round here
And I can't see nothin', nothin'
'Round here