Stoic Music 16

For all my years in love with music, I don't think I have ever personally run into a fellow fan of Talk Talk. More's the pity. These fellows, led by Mark Hollis, started out as a new wave band, but slowly evolved into what was eventually called Post-Rock, ten years after Hollis and his mates had pushed the boundaries.

I wouldn't impose those odd later works on anyone, but if you desperately wish your mind to be blown, you need only listen to Spirit of Eden (1988) and Laughing Stock (1991).

I once had a girl interested in me during college, which was a very rare event, after I played her their music. Sadly, she was more interested in the image of the music than the reality of me. A good life lesson.

From their more accessible 'middle period', I still always return to these two songs. Both were minor hits. The lyrics were always mysterious, but I saw my own experience in them. "It's My Life" and "Life's What You Make It" were, in so many ways, a musical introduction to the principles of Stoic thinking for me.

I still play the bass line from "It's My Life" whenever I see a bass guitar, and I play the left hand piano part from "Life's What You Make It" whenever I come across a piano. It is a temptation I cannot resist. This is very annoying for others, but tells me quite a bit about what I really love.

Written in 7/1999

Talk Talk, "It's My Life", from It's My Life (1984)

Talk Talk, "Life's What You Make It", from The Colour of Spring (1986)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFH5JgyZK1I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQH1i_zZ-_M

"It's My Life"

Funny how I find myself in love with you
If I could buy my reasoning I'd pay to lose
One half won't do

I've asked myself
How much do you commit yourself?

It's my life
Don't you forget
It's my life
It never ends

Funny how I blind myself
I never knew if I was sometimes played upon
Afraid to lose
I'd tell myself what good you do
Convince myself

It's my life
Don't you forget
It's my life
It never ends

I've asked myself
How much do you commit yourself?

It's my life
Don't you forget
Caught in the crowd
It never ends

"Life's What You Make It"

Baby, life's what you make it
Can't escape it

Baby, yesterday's favorite
Don't you hate it

Baby, life's what you make it
Don't back date it

Baby, don't try to shade it
Beauty is naked

Baby, life's what you make it
Celebrate it
Anticipate it
Yesterday's faded
Nothing can change it
Life's what you make it