The Song in My Head

Words

by Lucinda Williams
from her new album "West"

Lucinda's new album is getting knocked around by the critics. I heard this song while driving alone down a Florida highway late at night and immediately put it on heavy rotation. Critics be damned.

The lyrics deal with Lucinda's passion for writing, especially putting actual pen to actual paper. Those of us who write regularly might be able to relate.

Here in the so-called blogosphere, being able to create something meaningful with words is a daily ritual--some would call it a chore. I find it to be a great release. Some days it's inspired. Some days it's tired. But it's always a pleasure to share with the tiny portion of the world that occasionally tunes in here to BOTB.

Lucinda Williams is one of my all-time favorite artists. Her songs are never complicated. And you can always rely upon her to shoot you straight. Many of her songs are ones I would have to take on my Desert Island Disc--songs I'd be willing to listen to endlessly were I stranded forever on a desert island. "Blue," "Passionate Kisses," "I Envy the Wind," and "Essence" are just a few.

Lucinda sings these words in "Words," and more....

Deep down within me
words move in phases
frozen and still
till they decide
to melt and drip
over the pages
until that moment
they live inside.
. . . . .
once they get going,
they never waver
and they slip in between your
if, ands, and buts
. . . . .
they still remain my only companion
loyal and true to the very end
they'll never, ever completely abandon
ever give up the paper and the pen