We Discover More by Planning Less

Not Reinvented. Not recycled. Just revealed.

Drop this 45 on your turntable. It will make you happy.

New World Man

He's a rebel and a runner
He's a signal turning green
He's a restless young romantic
Wants to run the big machine

He's got a problem with his poisons
But you know he'll find a cure
He's cleaning up his systems
To keep his nature pure

Learning to match the beat of the Old World Man
Learning to catch the heat of the Third World Man

He's got to make his own mistakes
And learn to mend the mess he makes
He's old enough to know what's right
But young enough not to choose it
He's noble enough to win the world
But weak enough to lose it
He's a New World Man...

He's a radio receiver
Tuned to factories and farms
He's a writer and arranger
And a young boy bearing arms

He's got a problem with his power
With weapons on patrol
He's got to walk a fine line
And keep his self-control

Trying to save the day for the Old World Man
Trying to pave the way for the Third World Man

He's not concerned with yesterday
He knows constant change is here today
He's noble enough to know what's right
But weak enough not to choose it
He's wise enough to win the world
But fool enough to lose it
He's a New World Man... 

---

1982

What a year! Not only producing the greatest graduating class known to history, that amazing year saw Rush drop two records (unheard of now). Signals were to Rush what 1982 was for me. Change. Or rather, more change. Harder and faster.

The first one was Moving Pictures, which moved (see that?) Rush away from guitar-heavy sci-fi-dominated progressive rock. All of a sudden, they were being compared favorably to The Police. Ugh. Seriously. And derisively labeled bubble gum by an unnamed ex-friend.

The entire album kicks ass, but New World Man and Subdivisions feel as if they were written with 2022 Ric in mind. But then again, I thought the same in 1982. What this tells me is that I haven’t strayed much from my adolescent musical roots.

As much as my nomadic life constantly and consistently thrusts me into new and foreign life situations, my musical roots run deep. I thank Dr. Spencer Reid, Criminal Minds. I got my Psych Ph.D. just watching him. He and Morgan and JJ speak of this below.

Open Letter to Gen X

It’s so true. Just stop and think about your go-to jams. Probably been your go-to for some time now. Just keep jammin.

Ric

These two are mine. I’d be thrilled to learn about yours

If a song about teenage angst and desolation doesn’t speak to you, you might be reading the wrong platform. Don’t leave, but a lack of teenage turmoil is unheard of in my experience. If by some bizarre circumstance you evaded the adolescent drama, see what it’s all about.

Subdivisions

Sprawling on the fringes of the city
In geometric order
An insulated border
In between the bright lights
And the far unlit unknown

Growing up it all seems so one-sided
Opinions all provided
The future pre-decided
Detached and subdivided
In the mass production zone
Nowhere is the dreamer or the misfit so alone

[Chorus:]
(Subdivisions)
In the high school halls
In the shopping malls
Conform or be cast out
(Subdivisions)
In the basement bars
In the backs of cars
Be cool or be cast out
Any escape might help to smooth the unattractive truth
But the suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth

Drawn like moths we drift into the city
The timeless old attraction
Cruising for the action
Lit up like a firefly
Just to feel the living night

Some will sell their dreams for small desires
Or lose the race to rats
Get caught in ticking traps
And start to dream of somewhere
To relax their restless flight
Somewhere out of a memory of lighted streets on quiet nights...

Market Murals Across America

This Art medium touches my heart everywhere I go. I seek out and find Market Murals, which tell deeper and more meaningful stories than a wiki page. Go look for some in your day.

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