My Gen X Playlist: Let’s Go to Bed – The Cure

I rejoined corporate America after a much needed sabbatical. I’ve been back in consulting for almost a year now. The past month has been a bit grueling, but still manageable compared to my previous 30 years. I’m working hard not to fall into the same trap I’ve found myself in the past. I make sure I remember the lessons that sent me into my sabbatical and the reflection gained from that time off.

Last weekend my wife and I had to get out of town. We drove a few hours north and stayed at a non-touristy beach town. I spent sunup listening to early morning waves and watching seagulls glide parallel over the horizon. A weekend getaway was a good change of pace. It was just what the doctor ordered.

Looking for a song made me think about the cover art on the Cure’s Standing on the Beach album. It had this old guy on a beach with an expression that could mean any number of things. Literally, take your pick. I always thought it was an odd choice for a new wave band to put on the cover. Back in the 80’s, there wasn’t the internet to research things, so I was always left to wonder who this guy was. Thankfully, times have changed and information is at our fingertips.

His name is John Button, and was at the time a retired fisherman. . . According to the band’s 2005 biography, when asked why he agreed to lend his face to the band’s media, Button’s answer was, “If I can help these youngsters break through, after all, why not?” He also reportedly said that he would buy a record player and listen to one of the band’s songs “out of curiosity, just to see”.

Wikipedia

Not as exciting of an explanation that I hoped for. But still a little interesting, nonetheless. He looks like how I sometimes feel. Tired. Nothing a morning walk on the beach can’t cure, though. I may have started out with that same expression, but left it there buried in the sand. We enjoyed our short stay out of town and felt recharged. We’ll have to come back again someday.

Here’s a song from the album – Let’s Go to Bed. I wonder if Button ever bought that record player and gave those youngster’s music a try…

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo

Let me take your hand
I'm shaking like milk
Turning
Turning blue
All over the windows and the floors
Fires outside in the sky
Look as perfect as cats
The two of us
Together again
But it's just the same
A stupid game

But I don't care if you don't
And I don't feel if you don't
And I don't want it if you don't
And I won't say it
If you won't say it first

You think you're tired now
But wait until three
Laughing at the Christmas lights
You remember from December
All of this then back again
Another girl
Another name
Stay alive but stay the same
It's just the same
A stupid game

But I don't care if you don't
And I don't feel if you don't
And I don't want it if you don't
And I won't say it
If you won't say it first

You can't even see now
So you ask me the way
You wonder if it's real
Because it couldn't be rain
Through the right doorway
And into the white room
It used to be the dust that would lay here
When I came here alone

Doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo
Let's go to bed