No, despite the title I will not be referencing Monty Python, much as I adore them. Today’s slice of Musical Monday is dedicated to the song The Lesson off the 2012 debut solo album, British Lion from Iron Maiden founder and bassist, Steve Harris. For my metal friends out there, I should warn you that due to the wide variety of people who read this blog, I chose the album’s one ballad. While I enjoy music that can peel paint from the walls, not all of my readers do. I try to share tunes that I think people will enjoy and, hey, maybe if a few of them go download this song then I will have helped spread the word a bit for one of my favorite artists.
British Lion is a very good, straight forward rock album. If you are a fan of rock in general then I encourage you to check this one out. It is not as heavy as the majority of the Maiden catalog, however, fans will recognize the signature time changes and Harris’ intelligent song writing. (This is not a man who limits himself to composing on the partying he’s going to do on Friday night– he reads too much and has a ton to say. Most refreshing.) Not to mention, as any Maiden fan will tell you Harris’ bass features playing that sounds more like a rhythm guitar than a typical heavy metal bass line.
The Lesson is about those sometimes painful moments of self-realization in life. Too often we learn the lesson we needed, but after it would have been most useful, “A lesson learned, A lesson that’s too late for learning.” Life moves forward, carrying us with it whether we wish to change or not. In fact, change is the one constant that we can all count on. No matter what tomorrow brings, it will not be the same as today. You can move forward and grow, or you can waste precious energy trying to hold back the tide, “Everything and all that I know Is changing, I wish I could slow things down.”
On a side note, I had to include a song with the line, “But I worship the wind.” There’s a short story, or maybe a novel, in that line, I can feel it. So, here you are, friends. Enjoy The Lesson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_utSb5vv8Q
Here are the lyrics to The Lesson:
As I walk through corridors
Find a room to rest
Lay down there upon the bed
Rest my weary head
A labyrinth in suspension
Open up the veins
take me to a dimension
Free me of this pain
Everything and all that I know
Is changing
I wish I could slow things down
You can’t predict
‘Cause nothing’s set in stone
A lesson learned
A lesson that’s too late for learning
As I walk this lonely road
The sun begins to fade
There’s many Gods and many ways
But I worship the wind
Now I could’ve done things better
Didn’t mean to be unkind
And I could never cause you hurt
The last thing on my mind
Everything and all that I know
Is changing
I wish I could slow things down
You can’t predict
‘Cause nothing’s set in stone
A lesson learned
A lesson that’s too late for learning
This post was written by Erika Gardner. If you enjoyed it, please sign up to receive updates on this blog. Or you can follow Erika on Twitter @Erika_Gardner or “Like” her Facebook page Erika Gardner- Writer and Storyteller. Check out her creative contributions to the BBB Blog.
I’m an old, devoted Rivethead and was surprised and thrilled that Harry veered off to do a solo album, even if it may just be the whim of a mid-life crisis (ya never know…). And yes, I agree the music is absolutely beautiful. All of the songs are so rich and dynamic and Harry’s bassline is exquisitely heart palpitating, as usual.
But, I have to say, I still had a very hard time really enjoying the project because I just couldn’t connect with the vocals, no matter how I tried. Though I agree with the choice that the music called for a more gentler frontperson than another “Bruce,” I think Richard Taylor’s voice is just too gentle, like using an ostrich fan to move a catamaran. It was very maddening and saddening.
I am glad you shared this, though! The project definitely deserves a wider audience. Cheers!