Lyrics … there I go again.

50

I’m sure I bore everyone to death when I do blogs like this, but what can I say? I like words.

Words on a page have a certain charm, but it’s an inaccessible charm for many. So many folks today just don’t have the patience to dive into a good book, and fewer still have the patience for poetry. Even I can’t remember the last time I picked up a book of poems and took the time to truly appreciate it, although the fellows I call “The Bobs” (Robert Burns, Robert Frost) will always have a place on my bookshelves.

Music, aside from its renowned savage-soothing charms, seems to be the poetry of the 20th and 21st centuries. Songs have lyrics today … words, poetry, in a medium accessible to anyone within earshot of a radio, a CD player, or a computer. Sadly, most lyrics written today are all formula and no feeling. It’s rare that I turn on the radio today and hear a song that really grabs me, with words that really have something to say. That’s why I listen to talk radio most of the time. When something really does reach out and grab me … well, I’m sorry, but I feel the need to share it. That happened today. I got in my car and hit the wrong radio button, tuning to a local FM soft rock station, and I heard a nice piano intro. I stuck with it for a moment, heard a vocalist I could understand, and got interested. These are the lyrics I heard.

I’m fifteen for a moment, caught in between ten and twenty,
And I’m just dreaming, counting the ways to where you are.

I’m twenty-two for a moment, she feels better than ever,
And we’re on fire, making our way back from Mars.

Fifteen, there’s still time for you, time to buy and time to lose.
Fifteen, there’s never a wish better than this,
When you've only got a hundred years to live.

I’m thirty-three for a moment, still the man but you see I’m a "they",
A kid on the way babe, a family on my mind.

I’m forty-five for a moment, the sea is high,
And I’m heading into a crisis, chasing the years of my life.

Fifteen, there’s still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose yourself within a morning star.
Fifteen, I’m all right with you.
Fifteen,  there’s never a wish better than this,
When you've only got a hundred years to live.

Halftime goes by, suddenly you’re wise!
Another blink of an eye, sixty-seven is gone.
The sun is getting high, we’re moving on.

I’m ninety-nine for a moment, dying for just another moment,
And I’m just dreaming, counting the ways to where you are.

Fifteen, there's still time for you.
Twenty-two, I feel her too.
Thirty-three,  you're on your way.
Every day's a new day.

Fifteen, there’s still time for you, time to buy and time to choose.
Hey fifteen, there’s never a wish better than this
When you've only got a hundred years to live.

By the time the song ended I was dumbstruck! I literally had to turn off the radio and think for a few minutes about what I’d heard, and that act alone told me I’d been completely captivated. Perhaps you won’t agree but I think these lyrics, and the song behind them are genius. I’d post the song here, but some recording-industry lawyer scum would probably sue me … I’ll be lucky to get away with posting the lyrics.

Have you noticed that radio stations never announce the names of songs or the artists that perform them, anymore? I later questioned a musically-knowledgeable friend and learned that the song is called “100 Years”, and the group is called “Five For Fighting”. Needless to say, the mp3 was in my music library before the sun set.

A few other songs I’ve heard recently that deserve mention here:

“Sand and Water” – Beth Nielsen Chapman
“Tear the Fortress Down” – Jim Morgan
“Flying Red Horse” – John Gorka
“Precious Days” – Loyd Boldman

TONY UPDATE: Doing all right. He had a playful morning this morning, eating well and being himself. Such a wonderful cat.
SCOTT UPDATE: Doing all right. Had a long night last night. Sleepy person.

50 Comments


  1. The song that I feel very close to at the moment is ‘The Ballad of Lucy Jordan’.


  2. Kendall Payne’s “Honest”….try listening to that and not be moved.


  3. Most lyrics seem to be nonsense, and not meant to be listened to. It makes a change to hear a song that paints a picture like that.
    Take the day off. Relax. Go to a bar.


  4. When I think of emotive lyrics, I think of Leonard Cohen. And he’s not doing so bad for 70! Which bar will you go to? I think I’ll join you!


  5. JG: I have loved Shel Silverstein’s work ever since “The Giving Tree” brought tears to my eyes almost 20 years ago. “Lucy” is a great song.

    Aoj: I found and heard the Kendall Payne song … you’re right, it’s quite touching.

    Lois: Leonard Cohen is indeed awesome. “Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye” is probably one of my favourites that he’s written. Oh, and as for the bar, I think there’s a good one in a forest somewhere, that might be the right venue. 🙂


  6. I loved that! About halfway through I thought to myself that I must find that song, and I am stunned that it was Five For Fighting! The chap (for there is only one in the “band” – the name refers to a Hockey term) made one of my favourite songs, “Superman” from the album “America Town”.

    The man is a genius, and I’ll shortly be looking out for the album this came from.


  7. listen to whisky lullaby it brought tears to my eyes, but then again so does most things these days, lol, and if u want to be ‘moved’ by a song all u have to do is choose any song (well almost any) and just Really listen to it, all lyrics have a meaning and a story behind them. Yes i mean ALL including the ones u may concider crap


  8. It’s amazing how music touches your soul.

    I’m commenting because i heard that song the other day and I felt many of the same emotions you did. Quite lovely.


  9. wow!!!! i had looked all OVER the net for that song “100 years” and I found it here in your blog. thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!!!


  10. I have listened to this song (“100 years”) over and over again for the last few hours, and an captivated by it and its meaning. I am 41 years old and have seen the changes life brings; both blessings and challenges. I have changed my view of what is important and what can wait, and I am thankful for all of my experiences. But that does not lessen the sorrow at knowing they are past, not to be experienced again. Things I cannot do. I am balanced by knowing what lies ahead is as unique as what is behind.
    Thanks for sharing and letting me share…


  11. I, too, am totally captivated by the pretty piano intro and these “so very real” lyrics. I am 46 years old and still feel 30. I am a songwriter and this song is so very sad to me. I going through some pretty rough times right now but this song, even though I can’t listen to it without sobbing, the writer gets it so right. You really can’t ever go back. All you out there, just live. I mean really live. And just be happy! Whatever you do, don’t settle. Just be happy!


  12. All this talk about this song, had me very curious! I had heard this song on the radio in passing but never really took the time to listen to the lyrics. Until one day I heard; “I’m 33 for a moment.” Which caught my attention since I am 33. I did a quick lookup for the lyrics and listened to the song while reading the lyrics. As most of you reading this, upon hearing the actual words and really listening to the song, it had a profound affect on me. I think we all, myself included, take life for granted (We are human).
    I work for a hospital, and recently one of our Doctors lost his 2 year old son (He Drowned in their family pool.) You think things will be fine, that life owes you another day or another year. And the truth of the matter is that none of us are promised tomorrow. Some of us get this message, while others live life trapped in dead end jobs, and dedicated to the almighty dollar. Their are lonely people in this world, who are craving human attention and connection. Sometimes all you have to do is smile. It sounds so cliche’, but it’s very true! Try it some time. You may be surprised by the impact it has on the person you smile at! A kind act doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, or mega bucks. It just has to be meaningful and heartfelt. Remember, you are only here for a short time…Life passes us by way too quickly. Make good use of it while you are here!
    Just sign me, “Angel”


  13. I think this song really is beautiful.im 15 and it really makes you think about things.I mean I’m 15 and iv’e got alot of time before I die,right.Wrong.We never know when we will take are last breath.We should live life to the fullest .But we should also be prepared for what happens after death.John 3:16 says”Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life”.God wants you to live with him after death.If you dont choose God you must choose something that is horrible.A place where fire and brimstone reigns.While the fire will never burn you,you will feel the seering pain for ever and ever.Hell.Yes,its a terrifying place,but theres one way to escape it.Its to ask God for forgiveness of your sins(Romans 6:23″for the wages of sin is death,but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord)(Romans3:23″For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God)and repent.Do you want to go to a place where youll burn forever?Or do you want to somewhere where youll have your own mansion,streets of gold to walk on,and riches beyond compare.Think about it.


  14. Thanks for your post, it was the first valid one to come up in my google search. I’ve heard this song a number of times and have always meant to track it down.

    Not only was it great to have the lyris written, so that I could review them, but the comments that followed are quite emotional.

    Nice.


  16. just joking…..everybody calm down….someone give me a link to listen to it.


  17. I love that song- heard it on tv and have been trying to find it- it’s kinda hard to find! This was the first actually helpful site I could find
    and I totally agree with you and that Carroll(boy) you guys I think would both make great guy/boy friends – either one… lol either one available or near Illinois?
    well- thank you so much


  18. Hi! Most people get disturbed with my name… but they are just words that I like. 🙂
    I was looking for 100 years Lyrics, but could not remember its name, so, by posting a bit of the lyrics, I came accross with your post!

    Indeed, most lyrices nowadays are so vain and empty. I love 100 years for its meaning. Its melody, lyrics and the way it is sang combine in a perfect way…. it really touched me.

    Two more songs that I really like are: Wish you were here, by Pink Floyd and The Great Beyond, by REM. The latest seems not to make sense.. but it does!
    Have fun listening to music and dreaming with poetry.. they feed the soul.
    Take care, Lolita


  19. i was doing the same thing taht lolita said ab=nd i came across this post u r soo right


  20. i couldnt agree u with more. and im 16 and its amazing the song. so yeah…


  21. Thank you for this post
    I’m 25. Just transitioning from the “everything is possible for me” to “won’t have time to do it all, I really need to choose wisely” mentality. I wish that transitions between stages of life weren’t so wrenching. As soon as one is done, there comes another one. Is the point to live always within a state of transformation? To live every day with a “Yes” to the changes wanting to come through? Thank you for all who have posted. And thanks for the blogger — I too searched on Google after hearing the song on the commercial.
    Best wishes.


  22. OMG! 2 hours ago I heard that song at the end of one of my favorite series (JAG) and since then I´m searching the whole web for it – not knowing who it sings or even what the song´s called and now I found your page! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
    Yes, you´re right the lyrics ARE kind of genius and combined with that soft piano tunes it´s such a wonderful piece of music.
    Well, it´s good to know there are songwriters out there who know how good music should feel like, right?
    Do I sound a little strange? Sorry, I´m german… 😀


  23. I’m “mid-transition” myself and heard this song for the first time in a long while today on my drive into work…prompted immediate (and unexpected!) tears to my eyes. (So much for 20 minutes working on my makeup!) Thanks for the lyrics…and the reassurance that I’m not the only one who was so moved… Ciao!


  24. hey.. thanks. I was looking for this song forever and I found it here! The lyrics are stunning, really. Try listening to Love Alone by Caedmon’s Call, La Solitudine by Laura Pausini and Insensitive by Jane Arden.


  25. Wow thats funny, i just heard the “100 years” song while watching Laguna Beach, and i had heard it before and have always liked it, so i searched like everyone and found it here also. I love how music can move us in such great ways.


  26. I was watching Laguna beach also…and felt moved by the song……I heard it before so I typed the lyrics in google and came across your site…nice one btW


  27. I loved when I finally found the lirics for “5 for Fighting – One Hundred Years to Live” I agree with you the song is just… no words.
    Keep doind this you help more people than you think!
    Cheers!


  28. Hey, you don’t know me, but I have been searching for the artist for WEEKS!! I did a search on yahoo with a phrase of the song and happened upon your site. Just wanted to say thanks!


  29. thanks dude for the blog. fine tune.


  31. That is a wonderful song. It totally blows me away.To think about how fast time goes by every mintue you have wasted time just lying in the bed innstead of going and doing something you’ll feel bad about becasue you will have realized that you really didn’t have that much time to do alot of stuff


  32. Thanks for giving me the lyrics to this song. If your reading this message you probably agree that a lot of songs are just a lot of fluff, but sooner or later you’ll find a great one. Listen to the song “Hope” by Klaatu. It made me feel great after something really awful happened to me. Its an incredible life changing song.


  33. I was just looking up those lyrics to find the song and happened upon your blog–in fact, it was one of the few things that turned up for my search. Thanks for the help.

    Moreover, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on the song and on music more generally. Although I don’t doubt that there’s a lot of fluff out there, I get most of my music from personal recommendations from friends rather than the radio, so most of the stuff I find tends to be pretty good lyrically, since my friends have pretty good taste! Some recent artists that come to mind are Howie Day and Jason Mraz.

    I’m looking forward to checking out more of your blog entries after reading this one when I get the time.


  34. This song Realy touched me and i want to hear it again


  35. when i heard this song, i felt like hearing it again and again!


  36. This song is really beautiful. I heard it often on a commercial thought it was great song with a lot of meaning. It definitely a good song to show you that during all the different times of your life you should enjoy them and do your best to live in the moment and not worry too much about the future or the past. I was wondering who the song was by and I found it here. Thanks!
    *Good comment Carroll, I’m 17 and definitely agree with you-we aren’t promised tomorrow and need to live our lives for Christ because He loves us so much that he died for us and He wants us to have a relationship with Him and live for Him!


  37. I ,like many others, was looking for the lyrics of this song,did not know the title or group, and found your blog.Thank You!!!! My husband and I watched this group do this song on Leno one night. We sat in awe of the song and when it was over we both agreed that we would definately hear this one again. Which we have many times! We also like Leonard Cohen!!!


  38. Thank you for posting the lyrics and the name of the group. This song was played at the funeral of my 32 year old niece. Needless to say, this song is now in my music library.
    At the end of the service, they played “Brown Eyed Girl” which she had chosen. She died of 3 forms of cancer. She was an extraordinary girl.


  39. That song always moves me. It really gets you thinking. You have 100 years or less to live. Most people like to fritter away their time. You really have to make the most of your life! You get one life and then zip. It’s over. That song’s so moving. Most songs are just “my boyfriend dumped me” and all of that. It doesn’t mean anything. But this song…wow, it does.


  40. Hey, thanks for this post. I’ve been trying to figure out who sings that “100 years” song for like a week and I stumbled upon your site. Many thanks, random internet friend! 🙂

    P. S. World of Warcraft roxors my soxors.


  41. What an awesome blog….So awesome, I had to add a little something to it, which is literally a first for me. I have been trying to figure out who sings this song for a “100 years”. 😉 But seriously, I first heard this song on a credit card commercial, and it grabbed me then and it grabs me everytime I hear it, even now. This song is life. This song and the commercial are what it is all about for me. Love, Family, and how little time we have. It goes by so fast. So….Thank you.


  42. So, at age 45 I’m on my way back to a family picnic last night. My duaghter had previously been in the car and had a station on that I don’t normally listen to and it’s playing 100 years, except I don’t know what it’s called. Alone, I sit in the car to listen to 100 years and then rejoin the group. I found the name of the song and the lyrics on your Blog. You nailed it . Thanks!


  43. Sheesh – been trying to find out who sang this for months (great song, innit). Thank goodness for Google and your blog! As you say, the stations rarely tell you song titles or artists (although WBER in Rochester NY is a glorious exception if you like alternative music – check it out on the web). Cheers!


  44. you should put the song name and artist either at the top or at the bottom of the lyrics so that people who are not interested in reading your whole blog dont have to when they see the lyrics. Because i tried to find who sings it and i typed “fifteen for a moment” in google search and this is what it came up with. and i couldnt find the real title and artist, so i had to waste time reading your whole blog. …but you made a very excellent piont. and i love that song. its very touching and it just makes me think about life, you know? Thank you very much


  45. jhfvhgdjhbfdcjctglitljhgkjgkcccccccccc


  46. je ne comprend pas anglais!!!! 🙁 je ne t’aime pas. mais oui, j’ai entendu cette chanson sur mon radio et je ne comprends pas ce qu’il dit, mais j’aime le music!


  50. I love the song “100 Years” and I think it’s really sad; you are right, it is captivating. If I live to be 100 years old, I want that song played at my funeral.

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