My Gen X Playlist: Full Force Gale – Elvis Costello

I already answered this prompt a year ago, but the weather is so nice today, I thought I’d give it another go. You’d think living in Southern California, my go to response would be sunny and warm. But that’s only partially correct.

If you find yourself in Southern California gridlock, you’ll notice most cars only include a driver. With the lack of public transportation, there are very few alternatives. The unfortunate byproduct are smoggy skies. There are some days where the haze is thick and heavy and you can barely trace the outline of the mountain peaks through the grey. What a shame.

What I love is the weather after a windy day. Even if the next day is a bit brisk, you can smell, feel and see the clear blue skies. There’s nothing like it. Mother Nature wasn’t meant to wear a brown veil. So give me a windy day anytime. I know it’s a precursor to a beautiful day.

Van Morrison released Full Force Gale in 1979. This was a spiritual song for him. How fitting when I think about the creation and beauty of nature.

In the lyrics Morrison describes the feeling of encounters with “the Lord”. Biographer Peter Mills said that “It is a physical effect – he is “lifted up again” as if by a natural force, the full-force gale being a simile for this: ‘Like a full force gale'”.

Wikipedia

I don’t know much about a capella, but I do like Elvis Costello’s cover version of this song. I love Costello’s beautiful harmonies in this version.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Like a full force gale
I was lifted up again
I was lifted up again by the Lord

And no matter where I roam
I will find my way back home
I will always return to the Lord

In the gentle evening breeze
By the whispering shady trees
I will find my sanctuary in the Lord

I was headed for a fall
The I looked up and saw the writing on the wall

Like a full force gale
I was lifted up again
I was lifted up again by the Lord

I was headed for a fall
The I looked up and saw the writing on the wall

In the gentle evening breeze
By the whispering shady trees
I will find my sanctuary in the Lord

And no matter where I roam
I will find my way back home
I will always return to the Lord

Like a full force gale
I was lifted up again
I was lifted up again by the Lord