Tag Archives: short-story

Earth, Wind & Fire – September (Official HD Video)

Monthly Theme:

Whether you are in school, starting a new job or thinking about retirement, September is often marked by a Season of Transition. If you are heading off to college, moving to a new school or changing careers, this month will include making new friends, reconnecting with people from your past and learning new skills. Although change isn’t easy. sometimes you need to reinvent yourself so that you’ll be better prepared for the future. This month’s selection of songs touch on the emotional highs and lows of relationships as well as trials that you’ll face in life.

Inspiration Behind September:

September promotes a carefree philosophy of living in the moment. Featured in the movie Night at the Museum, September was crafted to inspire people to dance as well as to celebrate the good times you experience in life. Approaching nearly 50 years since its release, September has become a timeless classic often used in fall celebrations.

Biblical Application:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do, James 1:22-25.

Exegesis of September:

Do you remember
The 21st night of September?
Love was changing the minds of pretenders
While chasing the clouds away

Looking back at a specific date. This special day changed the way many people thought about love.

Our hearts were ringing
In the key that our souls were singing
As we danced in the night, remember
How the stars stole the night away, oh yeah

This event was celebrated by many people like a royal wedding. To those in attendance, the dance floor was open all night. Either a reference to dancing outside at night or a celebrity ball.

Hey, hey, hey
Ba-dee-ya, say, do you remember?
Ba-dee-ya, dancing in September
Ba-dee-ya, never was a cloudy day

This was a special evening that is often brought up in discussions.

Ba-du-du, ba-du-du, ba-du-du, ba-du-du
Ba-du-du, ba-du-du, ba-du-du, ba-du-du
Ba-du-du, ba-du-du, ba-du-da

A fun transition.

My thoughts are with you
Holding hands with your heart to see you
Only blue talk and love, remember

Thinking about a special person. Perhaps memories of their wedding.

How we knew love was here to stay

A wedding where those in attendance realized that they belonged together.

Now December, found the love we shared in September
Only blue talk and love, remember
The true love we share today

Fond memories of their marriage.

Hey, hey, hey
Ba-dee-ya, say, do you remember?
Ba-dee-ya, dancing in September
Ba-dee-ya, never was a cloudy day
There was a
Ba-dee-ya, say, do you remember?
Ba-dee-ya, dancing in September
Ba-dee-ya, golden dreams were shiny days

A time of reminiscing.

The bell was ringing, oh, oh
Our souls were singing
Do you remember
Never a cloudy day, yow

Wedding day bells. Closely knitted. Looking at life with a positive perspective.

There was a
Ba-dee-ya, say, do you remember?
Ba-dee-ya, dancing in September
Ba-dee-ya, never was a cloudy day
And we’ll say
Ba-dee-ya, say, do you remember?
Ba-dee-ya, dancing in September
Ba-dee-ya, golden dreams were shiny days

Repeating the chorus with fond memories of the past.

Ba-dee-ya, dee-ya, dee-ya
Ba-dee-ya, dee-ya, dee-ya
Ba-dee-ya, dee-ya, dee-ya, dee-ya
Ba-dee-ya, dee-ya, dee-ya
Ba-dee-ya, dee-ya, dee-ya
Ba-dee-ya, dee-ya, dee-ya, dee-ya

A good beat to dance to.

Final Thoughts:

My oldest son James celebrated a birthday by taking some friends to see Night at the Museum. Subsequently, whenever I hear September, I think of this movie about a man who was struggling in life until one evening as a night janitor transformed his perspective on life. Renewed with confidence, hope and purpose, Larry Daley came home from work a different person with a bounce in his step. This is what can happen on a special day this month.

by Jay Mankus

Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror (Official Video)

Inspiration Behind Man in the Mirror:

Man in the Mirror was conceived from a desire to create a song that would serve as an anthem for social change. At this stage in Michael’s career, Jackson was acutely aware of global issues such as poverty, apartheid, environmental degradation, and inequality. Siedah Garrett had been developing the concept of Man in the Mirror for a year, jotting down notes as a vision for this song became clear. When Michael noticed Garrett’s written lines about a man looking in the mirror, the direction for this song was captured.

Biblical Application:

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known, 1 Corinthians 13:11-12.

Exegesis of Man in the Mirror:

[Intro]
Mm-mm-mm
Ah, ooh, uh, uh

Warm up, ready to start.

[Verse 1]
I’m gonna make a change for once in my life
It’s gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference, gonna make it right, ah, uh
As I turned up the collar on my favorite winter coat
This wind is blowin’ my mind
I see the kids in the street with not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind, pretending not to see their needs?

Michael was tired about talking about change without any actions. He began to take his role as a celebrity serious. While he was getting dressed on a cold winter day, his eyes were opened to the poverty surrounding him.

[Pre-Chorus]
A summer’s disregard,a broken bottle top
And a one man’s soul
They follow each other on the wind, ya know
‘Cause they got nowhere to go
That’s why I want you to know

Alluding to the homeless who follow each other as they have no place to go.

[Chorus]
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change

Michael begins by looking at his own life to see how he can make a difference. Change starts with yourself by looking deep inside your heart and soul. Searching for conviction to be transformed into an agent of change.

[Post-Chorus]
Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na
Uh-huh

A fun transition.

[Verse 2]
I’ve been a victim of a selfish kinda love
It’s time that I realize
There are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be really me pretending that they’re not alone?

Michael had been so self-absorbed that he didn’t recognize all the needy people that he passed daily. Change begins with a random act of kindness that spreads to the point that you are inspired to give.

[Pre-Chorus]
A willow deeply scarred, somebody’s broken heart
And a washed-out dream (Washed-out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind, ya see
‘Cause they got no place to be
That’s why I’m starting with me

The need to become aware of your surroundings. To stop, see and start acting out in love.

[Chorus]
I’m starting with the man in the mirror (Who?)
I’m asking him to change his ways (Who?)
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
I’m starting with the man in the mirror (Who?)
I’m asking him to change his ways (Who?)
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that change
I’m starting with the man in the mirror (Man in the mirror, oh, yeah)
I’m asking him to change his ways (Change his ways)
(Oh, you better change)
And no message (Ooh, ooh) could have been any clearer

Michael is singing to himself. As if he was giving himself a pep talk to try harder. Don’t wait for others to do something. Be the catalyst by deciding to start making a difference today.

[Bridge]
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make the change
You gotta get it right while you got the time
‘Cause when you close your heart (You can’t)
Then you close your mind (Close your, your mind)

You can make a difference in this world if you want to. However, you must have a sense of urgency or you’ll be lulled back into a state of complacency.

[Chorus]
(That man, that man) I’m starting with the man in the mirror
(That man)
(Ohh yeah)
(That man, that man) I’m asking him to change his ways
(That man, the man, you know, that man)
(Well, I’ll change)
And no message could have been any clearer (Ooh, ooh)
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that
(Take a look at yourself and then make that)
Change

The final chorus hoping to inspire others to make a difference in this life.

[Post-Chorus]
Hoo, hoo (Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na), hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo
Gonna feel real good (Oh, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na)
Yeah, yeah, oh no, oh no

Giving makes you feel good.

[Outro]
I’m gonna make a change
It’s gonna feel real good, shamone (Change)
Just lift yourself, you know
You’ve got to start with yourself, brother, (Yeah) hoo
(Make that change) I gotta make that change today, hoo (Man in the mirror) You’ve got to, you got to start with yourself, brother, hoo (Yeah)
You know (Make that change)
I started with that man, that man (Man in the mirror)
You’ve got to, you’ve got to move, shamone, shamone
You’ve got to stand up (Yeah), stand up (Make that change), stand up, stand up and lift yourself now (Man in the mirror)
Hoo, hoo, hoo, oww (Yeah, make that change)
Go make that change, shamone (Man in the mirror)
You know it, you know it, you know it, you know (Change)
Make that change

Final call to action, challenging listeners to get off the sidelines and begin to help their fellow citizens. Make a change today.

Final Thoughts:

My first job after graduating college was in social work. I was a Summer Workcamp Coordinator for the Methodist Action Program in Wilmington, Delaware. I worked with local churches to set up one day, weekend and weeklong service projects in needy neighbors. One of my favorite memories is when a youth group transformed a drug infested playground full of glass, overgrown weeds and trash. By the end of the day, children began to play here for the first time in months. This is how change occurs.

by Jay Mankus

Houndmouth – Sedona

Inspiration Behind Sedona:

This Indiana band wrote Sedona while navigating their own journey in the music industry. Sedona serves a dual purpose as a tribute to this Arizona desert town and metaphor for a fading dream. As someone who spent a week in Sedona on vacation, it’s like trying to explain to friends and family scenic pictures that you took but words don’t do certain sites justice.

Biblical Application:

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you, Isaiah 54:10.

Exegesis of Sedona:

The red sandstone, it fell
Right smack on top of Sedona Arabelle
When John Ford said, “Won’t you hop on in?”
And the Stagecoach baby gonna take you for a spin
Oh, woah, woah, woah

The typography of Sedona. Possibly referring to a display, ghost town road side attraction.

Well, hey, Little Hollywood
You’re gone, but you’re not forgot
You got the cash, but your credit’s no good
You flipped the script and you shot the plot
And I remember, I remember when the neon
Used to burn so bright and pink
A Saturday night kind of pink

The band had big dreams but never made it as far as they hoped. Pointing out that Hollywood has lost its mystique as the bright lights have dimmed over the years.

Well, the blacklist and its hosts
He came down so swift
And you drove him to the coast
We’re going California, but we’re all outta work
I guess that’s better than a grave and a hearse
Oh, woah, woah, woah

Hey, Little Hollywood

A brief summary of their rise and fall of the bands dreams of making it big.

You’re gone, but you’re not forgot
You got the cash, but your credit’s no good
You flipped the script and you shot the plot
And I remember, I remember when the neon
Used to burn so bright and pink
A Saturday night kind of pink

A sad chorus of how the rich and famous can abruptly fall back down to earth when fame fades away.

Now the devil’s in a rush

Trying to get back on top.

And his duct tape makes you hush
Well, hey there, Sedona, let me cut you a deal
I’m a little hungover and I may have to steal your soul
Oh, oh

Trapped and muted. The things people do for success, turning to alcohol to numb their pain.

Well, hey, Little Hollywood
You’re gone, but you’re not forgot
You got the cash, but your credit’s no good
You flipped the script and you shot the plot
And I remember, I remember when the neon
Used to burn so bright and pink
So bright and pink
A Saturday night kind of pink

Ending with a chorus about the sad reality of when success slips through the fingers of an up-and-coming band.

Final Thoughts:

While attempting to play professional golf in 1995, I had a few rounds that gave me hope that I could compete at the professional level. I was able to hang in there early, but when my short game left me midway through my first round of Q-School, everything else fell apart. This failure in life prepared me for my next phase in life, marriage. There have been numerous ups and downs since, but this is where perseverance is necessary to bounce back quickly.

by Jay Mankus