This morning as I was fulfilling my fatherly duties by taking my turn as "carpool chauffer" I was doing my best to exude some form of coolness to the teenagers in my car. Significantly more often with Alyssa and her friends than I did with Jenn or Dillon and their friends, I get this feeling that the kids sitting behind me date my birth somewhere in the Jurassic period.
Today I thought I would resort to strategy number 3, by finding just the right song on the radio, one that my passengers will like, and one that I have actually heard before. I found a song that, I think, went well in proving my hipness. As we rounded the corner and the wildcat came in sight, a new song started that caught me a bit by surprise.
The familiar synthesizer of Led Zeppelin’s All My Love filled the air inside our car as the doors opened to another day of high school. As I headed back down the hill toward home I thought about this song and its writer. In 1977 Led Zeppelin had been touring the U.S. and had just arrived to their hotel in New Orleans when Robert Plant received a call from his wife; his son was seriously ill. Two hours later, 6 year old Karac Plant died.
The song is written by Plant as a tribute to his son. The lyrics probably the most emotional found in any of the band’s songs. What I find most significant are the words Plant sings at the very end of the song, which do not appear in the posted lyrics. After plant questions life, its path, and love itself he can be heard in the background:
Sometimes, I get a bit lonely
Sometimes, I get a bit lonely
I don’t know if I am a little bit emotional about my son getting married, or just missing my dad, but this song touched me. I thought of the life and love stolen by the illness. I thought of my own children and the love that we share. I thought of the proud moments that my kids have given me, and about the moments that are right around the corner. And I thought about Plant, and the obvious struggles that he is dealing with as he writes this song.
I don’t know too many Christians with a “Whole Lotta Love” for Led Zeppelin, or its members. This song has changed my attitude about at least one band member. Robert Plant is really not too different than you or me. He’s a man faced with so many questions brought on by any parent’s worst fear.
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Hey Mike...
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying your posts here. In fact, you've inspired me to do my own blog! Love this one ... I desperately want my kids to like the music I like — especially the old stuff from the 80s, which I play often in my car when driving them around. Why does it matter so much that they think we're cool? I didn't know you lost your dad when you were so young. That must have been devastating! I think it's sometimes because we've experienced less than perfect childhoods that we try and make up for it by being the most awesome parents ever — which, as you know, is not possible! Seems like you and Yvonne are pretty close though. Thanks for sharing. Look forward to more posts!