Be Still

Be still
And go on to bed
Nobody knows what lies ahead
And life is short
To say the least
We're in the belly of the beast

Be still
Wild and young
Long may your innocence reign
Like shells on the shore
And may your limits be unknown
And may your efforts be your own
If you ever feel you can't take it anymore

Don't break character
You've got a lot of heart
Is this real or just a dream?
Rise up like the sun
Labor till the work is done

Be still
One day you'll leave
Fearlessness on your sleeve
When you've come back, tell me what did you see
What did you see
Was there something out there for me?

Be still
Close your eyes
Soon enough you'll be on your own
Steady and straight
And if they drag you through the mud
It doesn't change what's in your blood
Over chains
When they knock you down

Don't break character
You've got a lot of heart
Is this real or just a dream?
Be still
Be still
Be still
Be still

Over rock and chain
Over sunset plain
Over trap and snare
When you're in too deep
In your wildest dream
In your made up scheme
When they knock you down
When they knock you down

Don't break character
You've got so much heart
Is this real or just a dream?
Oh Rise up like the sun
And labor till the work is done
Rise up like the sun
Labor till the work is

Rise up like the sun
And labor till the work is done

Awesome lyrics, awesome band. Burns, Bobby, & Brandon in Delaney's Dublin - 22/02/2013

Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word

How many times has the title of that song been appropriate for moments in our lives? I consider myself pretty good at spitting the word out but I won’t pretend it is easy. I don’t think it is easy for anybody, but I do personally feel it is better to say it that not.

One of my favourite bands of all time broke up recently few months back. I consider myself a pretty loyal guy and I stand by my bands and artists regardless of what anybody has to say about them. For some reason Barry and Jon Bon seem to be on the receiving end of a fair bit of stick recently and I cannot for the life of me understand why. Some folks owe them an apology. They have stood by me for years and in turn, I’ll repay their faith and support them. That’s what love is about. So, when I heard that The Killers had broken up a few months back, I felt pretty let down. What had I done to deserve that? It was harsh to say the least.

Thankfully, it seems a temporary break – a Ross and Rachel ‘break’. I was heartened by that news, coupled with the announcement that front man Brandon Flowers was going solo while the other boys took a break. Heartened but concerned. I’ve seen this happen so many times to good people. They get all carried away thinking that can go it alone and produce the goods, and fail miserably. I feared for Brandon I have to admit. Maybe I lost a bit of faith. Jon taught me to Keep It and maybe I lost it.

Brandon I apologise.

Sunday night, HJ and I went to see Brandon in Zurich, and Brandon nailed it. Great energy as you would expect from The Killers chap, but a slight twist of country and randomness meshed in. In a fabulously small and intimate venue called Kaufleuten, it was the perfect setting for a quality gig. The album, Flamingo, is a gem and I have yet to hear anybody say a bad word about it. My favourite tunes, enhanced by the gig, are Magdalena, Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts and Hard Enough. No complaints about any on the album, and I recommend it.

So the gig was due to start at 8pm which was handy as the last direct train was set to depart at 10.04. Early starts for both of us this morning so it made sense. Well, my naivety and inexperience of these small venues and gigs was exposed. Brandon came on stage at 9.30, ten minutes before we had to leave for the train. Not only would it be a case of leaving early, but virtually leaving after two songs was not really an option especially given my recently tarnished reputation. So we bit the bullet and saw it through and rolled into bed at 2am, cream-crackered but happy. A great gig, and thoroughly enjoyable.

So Brandon and I are back on after our date last night. I feel a bit bad for any doubt I had. I cannot wait for the Killers to rekindle their magic, but solo Brandon is pretty darn good. He moves on to the UK soon, and I would recommend any folks to grab a ticket if you can. Brandon is even heading to Leeds for a gig at the O2 Academy – after my last blog about my library in Leeds, he thought he would make an appearance. And he is going to nail it.

What I have learned this week

Calgary really is an insane city – snow in September already. Easy to think it sounds so cool, but only when you experience do you feel sorry for those who have to survive it.

I have realised that a pair of jeans that fit properly make a massive difference to one’s appearance.

I learned this week that perhaps I do have a slight man-crush on Brandon Flowers – I cannot wait for his concert in Zurich in October.

I realised that I actually welcome injuries to boxers when I cannot go to a big fight that I want to see and one guy has to pull out injured meaning I could possibly go when it is rearranged. I’m not proud of that one but it is true.

I am not one for doom and gloom and I actually consider myself to be quite a positive person. However, when you think something cannot get any worse, the truth is, it can.

I am going to Oslo next weekend and I am genuinely excited. Never been up anywhere up there before, and I cannot wait.

I remembered this week that people often believe newspapers when they want to believe them, and do not believe them when they do not want to.

I learned this week that I do still need to lose some weight and a couple of love handles. Half marathon training starts Sunday.

I learned this week that footballers do cheat on their WAGS, but they are sometimes set up – read Peter Crouch. His credit card was stolen and he was going to collect it in the hotel in Madrid, and it was portrayed as an affair.

I learned this week that there is a new star blogger in town.