Song Song
Brad Mehldau Lyrics

Like a boat on a river this bus is floating down this old highway
The bus is like a boat floating down the highway, moving along with the current of traffic.

Looking out the window I think about how I got here today
Contemplating his current circumstances, the artist reflects on the journey that has led him to where he is today.

Anyone who's anywhere had some help getting there, it's true
Acknowledging the importance of support in achieving success, the artist recognizes that everyone who has achieved greatness has had help along the way.

And one of the reasons why I get to do the things I do
The support the artist has received has enabled him to pursue his passion and life's work.

I met this angel with callused hands who led this boy to his band
The artist met a mentor with rough, hardworking hands who brought him into a musical group.

Under his wing I learned to fly on these 6 strings through this life
Under his mentor's guidance, the artist learned to play guitar and apply that skill to navigate life's challenges.

You can hear them in my playing although he's gone
Although his mentor is no longer with him, the impact he had can still be heard in the artist's music.

And I owe him so much more than just this song
The artist acknowledges the depth of the debt he owes his mentor, recognizing that his impact goes beyond just this specific piece of music.

Like a leaf that had fallen I was drifting down the stream
Prior to meeting his mentor, the artist felt adrift and directionless in life, like a leaf floating aimlessly in a river.

Mr. Guitar came into my life and let me live this dream
Meeting his mentor ignited the artist's passion for music and enabled him to pursue his lifelong dream of being a musician.

His old gretch still speaking, its teaching all of us a ton
The artist and his mentor both played Gretsch guitars, and even though his mentor is gone, the instrument still inspires and instructs the artist and his bandmates.

He was my friend and my hero all wrapped up in one
The artist's mentor was not only a guiding force in his life, but also someone he admired and looked up to as a hero.

Under his wing I learned to fly on his 6 strings into the night
Continuing the earlier metaphor, the artist learned to navigate life's challenges through his music, taking flight on his mentor's guitar strings and soaring through the night.

Every face we see from every stage we roll
Reflecting on the impact of his and his band's music, the artist sees the faces of those they have touched from their numerous performances.

With every note we play even though they're gone
Although people who have passed away cannot physically be present, their memory lives on through the music the artist and his band create.

They live on, they live on
The memory and spirit of those who have departed continues to live on through the artist and his music.