Currently, the group comprises singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla and keyboardist Ben Wilson. Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson joined the band following the death of original bassist Bobby Sheehan in 1999.
While Blues Traveler is best known among fans for their improvisational live shows, the general public is most familiar with the group from their Top 40 singles "Run-Around" and "Hook". They gained mainstream popularity after their fourth studio album four, released in 1994. Sheehan's death and Popper's struggle with obesity put a damper on the group's success, and A&M dropped the band in 2002.
Decision Of The Skies
Blues Traveler Lyrics
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You don't stand upon the world, but within it
And the faster that you move, the lighter you become
The further out you go, the better the view
And you want to rise
So that you can last
Take it all in slowly
The capsule goes at 17,000 miles an hour
To make the sky act like a pond
And if it should slow down
Then the mighty ship will sink
As if falling through the sea
And you want to last
So you're destinationed for the outskirts
Thinks the answer lies beyond
But the slower that you go
The more substantial you become
Come to rest against the pure and solid center
And you want to last
So that you might rise
Floating endlessly
From the decision of the skies
The decision of the skies
The farthest you can go is right behind you
And the closest you can come is nowhere near
And it could make you wonder where
When you're discussing here or there
And do you really have to get going
When you're living, you're just a series of atmospheres
Whatever velocity you're in
And no matter how you move
You're going to become
You cannot end and there's no beginning
And nothing lasts
And only time really flies
And you're always free
From the decision of the skies
The decision of the skies
Blues Traveler's song "Decision Of The Skies" is a reflective piece on the concept of time and existence, using the metaphor of traveling through space as a way to illustrate the idea of living in a series of atmospheres. The lyrics suggest that when one is moving quickly, they become lighter and better able to take in their surroundings, whereas slowing down can lead to a more substantial experience of reality. The song also touches on the idea that the farthest one can go is just behind them, and that there is no real beginning or end to life.
The first verse speaks to the idea of moving through different atmospheres and experiencing the world in different ways. The faster one moves, the lighter they become, and the further out they go, the better their view. It highlights the desire to rise and take in everything around you, both slowly and quickly.
The second verse introduces the idea of slowing down and becoming more substantial, as well as the concept that the answer to life may not be found in the outskirts, but rather in the pure and solid center. This suggests that the more we slow down and reflect, the more we may come to understand the true nature of existence.
The final verse wraps up the themes of the song, reiterating the idea that we are always moving through different atmospheres and experiencing life in various ways, and that time is constantly moving forward. It suggests that we are always free from the "decision of the skies," meaning that we have the power to shape our own lives and our own experiences.
Overall, "Decision Of The Skies" is a thought-provoking song that encourages reflection on the nature of existence and the passage of time.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're living in a series of atmospheres
Living life is like dwelling in different states of being, where you exist within your environment.
You don't stand upon the world, but within it
Rather than being separate from the world, you are a part of it and exist within it.
And the faster that you move, the lighter you become
As you move faster through life, you become less weighed down by the things that hold you back.
The further out you go, the better the view
The farther you venture out in life, the greater your perspective and understanding of the world becomes.
And you want to rise
You desire to ascend and reach higher levels of existence.
So that you can last
This ascent is for the purpose of lasting and enduring through hardship and adversity.
Take it all in slowly
In order to fully appreciate life, you should take your time and savor each moment.
Real fast
However, sometimes you need to act quickly and decisively to make the most of an opportunity.
The capsule goes at 17,000 miles an hour
The journey of life can be fast and intense, like a space capsule hurtling through space.
To make the sky act like a pond
Through this speed, the boundaries of the world can become distorted, like a pond on which you might skip a stone.
And if it should slow down
If the pace of life were to lessen,
Then the mighty ship will sink
You risk losing everything you've built up and sinking down to the depths of despair.
As if falling through the sea
This decline can feel like sinking into an abyss or drowning in an ocean of emotions.
And you want to last
You want to endure and remain steadfast through life's difficulties.
So you're destinationed for the outskirts
You aim to push beyond the boundaries of what is known and expected.
Thinks the answer lies beyond
You believe that the solution to life's problems can be found outside of your current situation or environment.
But the slower that you go
Sometimes progress cannot be made at a fast pace.
The more substantial you become
By slowing down, you can ground yourself and become more rooted in the core of your being.
Come to rest against the pure and solid center
You find your inner strength and stability by returning to your true self, the solid core of your being.
Floating endlessly
Life allows for limitless possibilities and the opportunity to endlessly create and evolve.
From the decision of the skies
Ultimately, fate is out of your control, and the universe makes the final decision on your place and purpose in the world.
The farthest you can go is right behind you
No matter how far you travel, your past will always be a part of you and will shape your future.
And the closest you can come is nowhere near
Conversely, even when everything feels close and familiar, you can still feel distant and disconnected from yourself and others.
And it could make you wonder where
These realizations can lead to introspection and questioning your place in the world.
When you're discussing here or there
The question of 'where' can come up in many different contexts or situations.
And do you really have to get going
Sometimes it's important to take a moment to pause and reflect before moving forward in life.
Whatever velocity you're in
Your pace in life is determined by a multitude of factors and can range from slow to fast, and everything in between.
You're going to become
No matter what happens in life, you will always be growing and evolving as a person.
You cannot end and there's no beginning
Life is infinite and cyclical, with no clear beginning or end.
And nothing lasts
All things, good and bad, are temporary and fleeting.
And only time really flies
The passage of time is the only constant in life, and it seems to go by much faster than anyone would like.
And you're always free
Despite the chaotic and unpredictable nature of life, you always have the freedom to choose how you will react and respond to your circumstances.
From the decision of the skies
Ultimately, the universe decides your fate and what will become of your life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CHAN KINCHLA, JOHN C. POPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind