The concept of happiness, as perceived by the modern western society is simple: You get an education and a great job, after which you marry, buy a house, acquire two cars and have a few kids…sorry, I forgot the compulsory dog or cat. Here’s my question however: As this is the path most people take, why are so many of us then so unhappy?
I was chatting with a friend the other day, who explained to me his way of coping in his estranged marriage. He kept saying, "This is wrong, I know, but it helps me smile and stay sane." And for the first time ever, I actually told him, "Who’s to say what is right or wrong." Seriously, is there really a wrong and a right way to live? We all get one life, one shot at happiness, and we don’t even know how many years we have to achieve it. So, I’ve finally come to the conclusion that one of my mentors, a university professor who taught poetry, was right: Give me an everlasting life and I will give you obedience and righteousness.
As far as I’m concerned, as long as you don’t kill anyone or inflict physical harm on them, make the years you have been blessed with count and live your life to the fullest: Taste the foods you’ve always wanted to taste, sample the best of wines, experience passion in all its form, travel and most of all, laugh. Why waste life on anything else than beautiful adventures and waves of exhilarating emotions. Remember the saddest words in any language are: if only.
Quite apply then, our song of the week is Gordon Haskell’s bitter sweet "Someone I Knew" that deals with the pain of moving on after having lost faith in relationships and what is widely perceived as the "right way" to live. The lyrics (as well as Gordon’s fantastic delivery) will bring a tear to your eye, especially if you’ve ever experienced a situation where your mind has decided to let go off someone and a certain way of life but your heart is still in some small way tangled up in the hopes, dreams and feelings you once had.
I taste the wine and it feels alright
And somebody's always there to take me home each night
And the hardest thing is knowing what to do
When I think about someone I knew
I treat them well and it's too bad
'Cos you know they love me just the way I wish you had
And peace of mind's long overdue
When I think about someone I knew
These are early days and you can bet
Though it's been over so long, it still ain't over yet
I still believe that love was true
When I think about someone I knew
It’s deep stuff from a man who can only be labeled as a musician’s musician, a man who has always refused to bow to or follow any trends. After a short stint with King Crimson, Haskell began his solo career in 1969 and has since recorded quite a few superb albums. My favourite ones are Serve At Room Temperature, Hambledon Hill, It’s Just A plot To Drive You Crazy and Harry’s Bar but to be honest with you, they are all pretty damn good.
I was fortunate enough to meet Haskell in person in 1990, when he was playing acoustic shows on the cruise ships that still sail between Finland and Sweden. It just so happened that I was on one of those ships with my mom and dad at exactly the right time. I’ll never forget seeing him live. He gave a fantastic performance that night, during which a member of the audience ran to his cabin to fetch his trumpet and came back just in time to play a solo on Gordon’s rendition of Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell.” It was unplanned and unannounced and bloody brilliant!
After the show, I wandered over with my dad and we bought his then new album Hambledon Hill. Unlike my dad, I knew who he was and asked him a few questions about his days with King Crimson and about the times he shared a flat in London with Jimi Hendrix. I’m still amazed that he actually took the time to talk to me for a good twenty minutes, at the end of which he put a hand on my shoulder, gave me a wink and said he had somebody waiting for him by the pool. He impressed me to high heavens: a real, breathing rock star. What a great chap, a great storyteller! I treasure that memory.
I hope you enjoy "Someone I Knew." Yet, I suppose I do not hope it resonates with you. However, if it does, console yourself with this, you will never truly lose your ability to love or fall in love. In fact, in most cases, you will never even truly fall out of love with anyone completely. Haskell’s right, "Though it’s been over so long, it still ain’t over yet"…perhaps, just perhaps, that’s why love and life hurt so much at times.
You can learn more about Gordon Haskell here:
About the curator - Tommi Tikka
Tommi Tikka is a linguist, poet, professional songwriter, recording artist and a music aficionado. He started playing guitar when he was four and writing songs when he was six. Consequently, he doesn't remember a time when he wasn't playing or writing. It's fair to say, music and lyrics are not just something he loves to engage himself in. To him, they are a way of life.
You can check out his current band The Impersonators here:
And the music of his previous group Carmen Gray here: Spotify