Music, on the whole, is a tool. It’s been used for centuries to invoke trance-like states, to imbue minds with subliminal messaging, to control those same minds. It’s been a huge part of my life, but these days I see it more as a tool of evil rather than good.

That’s not to say I don’t enjoy it, but things have changed. Many of my former idols have been discovered to be, well, not very nice people, and now I see the messages in their music that don’t fill me with the joy they used to, or indeed any joy at all, just revulsion. Well that’s a pity, but at the same time it’s liberating and my soul is better for it. It’s like I’ve been purified in a way, and for some artists it’s more akin to an exorcism, such is the darkness they peddle.

I’m yet to discover, or look for, any evil in the Howling Bells’ music. I just don’t want to. The beauty conjured by this song in particular takes me back to a time of scorching hot days spent in an un-air conditioned workshop, with one of the best workmates I’ve ever had, a place now so far away from where I am that I can barely identify with it. But this helps.

LIVE:

Mother will look with me
Father will pray for me
Religion will wait for me
Nobody waits for this long can’t you see
Doers will do for me
What sinners could never dream
Science is in your head
Nobody hurts them selves but themselves can’t you tell?

Haters will love in time
And lovers will feel their crime
Patience is all you need
That and the courage it takes just to be
One more day is not enough to change the world
But we’ll rise and fall just like the setting sun
One day is not enough to change
But we’ll rise and fall just like the setting sun

Yes she will lead me there
And you won’t be anywhere
I’ll find a quiet path
Somewhere alone where the shadows won’t laugh
One more day is not enough to change the world
But we’ll rise and fall just like the setting sun
One way is not enough to change
But we’ll rise and fall just like the setting sun

Mother will look with me
Father will pray for me
Religion will wait for me
Nobody waits for this long can’t you see
Yes she will lead me there
And you won’t be anywhere
I’ll find a quiet path
Somewhere alone where the shadows won’t laugh
One more day is not enough to change the world
But we’ll rise and fall just like the setting sun
One way is not enough to change
But we’ll rise and fall just like the setting sun x 3

*The Best Song Ever Written is a series of songs that aren’t necessarily THE best (as that’s subjective anyway), but a collection of great songs that have significance to me, have made an impact on my life, remind me of moments of life, or just plain rock.