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My Gen X Playlist: Walking Man – James Taylor

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I’m learning I’m no spring chicken. Or at least, I don’t feel that way. I’ve been back to work for a month after my year and a half sabbatical and boy am I tired. Oh my god, am I tired. And the funny thing is it hasn’t been all that busy.

In my defense, I’ve had to drive up to LA a few times a week. That’s an hour and a half commute each way in traffic. Yeah, that can be an energy suck. But I remember not too long ago when I could crunch ten to twelve hours a day under extreme pressure, day in and day out. Sure I’d end the day tired, but exhausted? Never.

I’m hoping these are just transitional pains, me getting my sea legs back. I can’t imagine being like this until retirement. That would be too brutal. I’ve instinctively deployed my hiking strategy when the trek begins to take its toll. My legs are tired, the pack on my back feels like it’s full of rocks. I put my head down, align my breathing with my pace, counting each deep breath as I trudge along. I look to a point up ahead, put my head down and march in that direction. After passing it, I look ahead for the next point, put my head down again until I reach that one, too. Wash, rinse, repeat. This always gets me across the finish line without fail, even when I feel I’m going to fall over. I just need to keep doing this until the old me returns. I hope I see that guy soon.

I was thinking about walking songs and James Taylor’s Walking Man came to mind. Although I can sing along to the lyrics, I never knew what it was about.

The “walking man” is James Taylor’s father, Ike. The peripatetic Ike Taylor graduated from Harvard Medical School and became a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy. He and Trudy Taylor had five children in a span of six years, settling in North Carolina. In the mid-’50s, when James was about seven years old, Ike was called away for military service (which he had deferred for medical school), and then he volunteered for a mission setting up bases in Antarctica.

When he returned home, Ike had a hard time making the transition back to domestic life, and he was emotionally distant. In 1972, he and Trudy got divorced.

Songfacts

Interesting. That’s definitely not what I was expecting. My transition back to my professional career is a walk in the park compared to Taylor’s father journey home. I think I can endure a little temporary exhaustion. Like I always say. Whenever I find myself saying Woe is me, I have to remind myself there is always someone out there that has it tougher than me. Perspective, my friends. But then again, sometimes I just need a bitch session to get it out. Hmmm. Now I’m confused. Maybe a little of both is fine.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Moving in silent desperation
Keeping an eye on the Holy Land
A hypothetical destination, say
Who is this walking man?
Well, the leaves have come to turning
And the goose has gone to fly
And bridges are for burning
So don't you let that yearning pass you by
Walking man, walking man walks

Any other man stops and talks
But the walking man walks
Well the frost is on the pumpkin
And the hay is in the barn
Pappy's come to rambling on
Stumbling around drunk down on the farm
And the walking man walks
Doesn't know nothing at all
Any other man stops and talks
But the walking man walks on by, walk on by

Most everybody's got seed to sow
It ain't always easy for a weed to grow, oh no
So he don't hoe the row for no one
For sure he's always missing
And something ain't never quite right
Ah, but who would want to listen
To you kissing his existence good night?
Walking man walk
Walk on by my door
Well, any other man stops and talks
But not the walking man
He's the walking man, born to walk
Walk on walking man

Well now, would he have wings to fly?
Would he be free?
Golden wings against the sky
Walking man, walk on by
So long, walking man

22 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: Walking Man – James Taylor”

  2. The backstory of the song is interesting and sad.
    If I’m putting in my 2 cents I’d say it’s probably relatively normal that it will take some time (more than a month) to get into a new routine. Especially one you were out of for so long. Way off topic here but it’s like when new moms are mad or sad they don’t have their pre-baby body back as quickly as they wanted but they have to remember it took nine months to get out of it, it might take nine months or more to get back to it.

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    1. I appreciate the 2 cents. That thought crossed my mind. It’s just so shocking sometimes. There always is a silver lining. I’m sleeping better these days. It used to be rare that I slept through the night. Now I just crash!

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  3. Lovely song for this gray Ohio day. James had the most soulful voice. The timbre of it is beautiful. I have not ever seen your name but would you share your first initial? I enjoy addressing people by name (or initial!) in comments. If not, i’ll just keep thinking of you as MGenXPlaylist. Enjoy your Sunday. Rest! Refresh!

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  5. I’m living the same experience. After taking over a year and a half off to write a book, I returned to work last June. I come home exhausted every day! I keep hoping it will get better, but so far I haven’t gotten my second wind. I hope you and I both get our energy back!

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  6. Sorry to hear about your exhaustion. I did 3 hours per day of commuting for many year and it is not fun. Thx for the back story on Walking Man. I read Carly Simon’s book and it sounds like JT and his dad may have had a lot of similarities.

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    1. Thanks, Mary. I appreciate it. In the grand scheme of things, I’m still ahead on the scorecard. A little temporary exhaustion is a small price to pay for the time off. I’m sure my old self will be back in no time.

      I’m surprised that Taylor’s music is so mellow given how difficult his life was. Maybe music is part of his personal therapy.

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  7. Transition times are tough, but make sure you’re being safe in those commutes! Maybe playful restful things between shifts. Music helps for sure. 🙂

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      1. Keep us updated if you find great podcasts! I’d love to have a train option. Maybe it’s a good thing to do once in a while at least!

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  8. Nice song choice… I didn’t know this one, but I don’t know a lot of Taylor’s catalogue. Sure love his voice though.

    Wow. Three hours of commuting per day has gotta be tough… that’s unheard of around here, though my drives home from work could take an hour if the downtown was gridlocked (for perspective, it takes 35 minutes to walk, or about ten minutes by bike if going the most direct route). I much preferred walking, cycling or reading-friendly transit and felt fortunate I could choose those when working.

    Sounds like you’re on the way with getting back into hiking. I always found being more fit gave me more energy. Lost a lot of that in the late summer when hit with my first Covid infection, followed up immediately with another virus then at least six weeks of brain fog, followed up with a hip injury. I’m still working my way back, and taking it slowly. Today felt like I reached a new milestone in recovery.

    You got this. Keep on trekkin’!

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    1. Fortunately, I mainly work from home. I only have to head in occasionally, but that is a big chunk of the day.

      Sorry to hear about your Covid experience and the subsequent challenges. I’m glad you’re back on your bike and enjoying the miles you’re putting in. Inspiring.

      Honestly, I only have James Taylor’s greatest hits on CD. That and maybe a few more songs may be the only songs that I know. But it’s really really good.

      Keep trekking! Love that!

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      1. Oh, I’m happy for you. Doing that daily would be a grind!

        One of the few good things that came out of Covid was more sustainable daily practices like remote working. Glad you can make use of that to gain three “extra” hours on those days.

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