Level 42, "Man"

As a fellow who has a long history with the Black Dog, and as a lifelong lover of music, I have a mixed relationship with songs about melancholy. Sometimes I find strength from experiencing another’s struggle, but more often I just end up feeling sorry for myself. 

I must tread carefully, for the fickle feeling of the moment can quickly sweep me away. Art has a creeping way of magnifying who we already are, for better or for worse. 

Much of the new wave or progressive rock I so adore can dwell too much on the loss and the sadness. Yes, it is necessary to mourn, but then it is even more necessary to heal. 

Why have I found myself in this state? How might I work my way out of it? To cast blame on others is never a solution, and to merely bemoan my fate is an act of surrender. 

Many years ago, I picked up the newest album by Level 42, expecting more of the same funky pop I so enjoyed. Instead, I was surprised to find the band in a state of transition, with two new members, guitarist Alan Murphy and drummer Gary Husband, along with a number of tunes that displayed a far more refined sound. 

I was especially taken with a longer track, simply titled “Man”, which almost seemed to be composed of two separate movements, each with its own mood. I had always known that Boon Gould could write introspective lyrics, but these struck me with their remarkable depth and sincerity. 

It was only much later that I learned about Boon’s own battle with depression—now it all made more sense. 

There isn’t just brooding in these words. There is also an attempt at coming to terms with the causes, and at finding a means to escape from the cycle. 

There is then that painful moment when I recognize how I have, however unwittingly, brought this upon myself, and that my vanity has fixed me in my stubborn ways. 

Let me stop making excuses and demanding attention. I can choose to be my own man. 

—1/2016 

Level 42, “Man” from Staring at the Sun (1988) 

Hey man where you been? 
You can't run away
From the life you made your own
Now that it's gone and left you down and out
You're not so complete
Now what do you say? 
All the answers you propose
Nobody chose to hear this time around 

Hey man you're so vain
You rise up again
To perform to pressure now
No way to treat that precious heart at all
Calm down you're too proud
Now what do you know? 
You present some facts to face
But nobody chose to look this time around 

Head in the clouds
No silver lining
What could be wrong? 

Hey man why so blue? 
What's come over you? 
Sentimental apathy
Ain't gonna buy no sympathy today
Wide world wearing thin
Wild words deafening
Shout about integrity
And then you go and throw your dignity away 

We're all the same
We're all to blame
What could be wrong, yeah? 

Hey man you got carried away
Carrying on the games that you play
Playing is not the way to win
’cause winning can be a way that you lose
And losing is not the way you would choose
Given the choice you're trying to change
Changing again you're carried away 

Do you remember the day? 
So long ago so far behind 
That history wrought in the fire
That filled your mind with mad desire
Chasing the centuries down
Long roads you cut through flesh and field
Pulling the past as you run
And it's dragged you to your knees
It's time to pray 

It's getting harder to pay
Too many people
For the rent 

Given a number of ways
Is there no way that you can change? 

Fire, the heart of history 

Time marching on . . . 
Face the future 
Fall and fade away 

Hey man sing the blues