Christopher Cross is an American singer-songwriter originally from Austin, … Read Full Bio ↴Christopher Cross is an American singer-songwriter originally from Austin, Texas, known as an influential artist in American soft rock music. He has written or co-written all his own songs, with the exception of "Nature's Way" that appears on his 'Window' album. He's most famous for singing the tunes "Arthur's Theme" from the Dudley Moore film 'Arthur', which won him the Academy Award for Best Song in 1981 (alongside co-composers Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen), and the iconic yacht rock classic "Sailing".

Cross released his debut album, 'Christopher Cross', in 1979, and it garnered him five Grammy Awards. He's the only artist in history to receive all of the "Big Four" Grammy Awards (for 'Best Record', 'Best Song', 'Best Album', and 'Best New Artist') in the same year. Hits from the critically acclaimed album, along with "Sailing" (a number one hit that remained within Billboard's Top 40 for over three months), include "Ride Like the Wind" (which was a #2 hit), "Never Be the Same" (going to #15), and "Say You'll Be Mine" (rising to #20). Critics such as Allmusic's Mike DeGagne have lauded Cross' " crisp and colorful" songwriting and "soothing voice".

Labeled as possibly having 'peaked too early' as time went on, Cross proved the doubters wrong with another number one hit in "Arthur's Theme" (also known as "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"). A part of the Dudley Moore film 'Arthur', the track, as stated before, won him the Academy Award for Best Song in 1981 alongside co-composers Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen. Although his popularity has waxed and waned over the years since his 70s heyday, Cross has earned a reputation as one of the key artists playing what would become known as "yacht rock" alongside contemporaries such as Loggins & Messina.

Back of My Mind
Christopher Cross Lyrics

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I woke up to my world this morning
Took a long look in the looking glass
Last night I guess I had one or too many
Somebody tried to tell me I had no class
What ever happened to me

Maybe I've been living on lies
Never really had a dream come true

Then again I guess I never really tried
Now the years all slip away

And things are like they're gonna stay
All the roads I didn't take are just
One more thing in the back of my mind
Taking space and time

Wish I'd finished that book I never started
Maybe that's the story of my life
Should've learned to play that saxophone
So I could tell my song to the streetlight
Shouldn't have been so stuck on my own
Could've had a wife and a child
Should've made that house a home
I don't know why my life is so wild
Now the years all slip away

And things are like they're gonna stay
All the chances I didn't take are just
One more thing in the back of my mind
Taking space and time
One more thing in the back of my mind

So I'm thinking about a walk in the sunlight
I've got to get my shadow behind me
Try and make some sense of it all
With my feet on the ground and my heart still free
As the years will slip away

I'll let the cards fall where they may
And all the roads I didn't take will be just
One more thing in the back of my mind
As the years will slip away

And the cards fall as they may
All the chances I didn't take will be just
One more thing in the back of my mind
Taking space and time

One more thing in the back of my mind
One more thing in the back of my mind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Christopher Cross's song "Back of My Mind" express regret and reflection on missed opportunities and unfulfilled dreams. The singer wakes up after a night of drinking, feeling disillusioned with his life. He reflects on the things he could have done differently, such as finishing a book, learning to play an instrument or taking chances when they arose. He realizes that the years slip by and that the missed opportunities are "just One more thing in the back of my mind".

The chorus repeats the phrase "All the chances I didn't take are just one more thing in the back of my mind, taking space and time". These lines emphasize that these missed opportunities continue to linger in the singer's mind, taking up space and time that could be used for more productive or positive thoughts. The final verse suggests that the singer is determined to make changes and take action towards a brighter future. He plans to let the cards fall where they may and pursue the things that matter most to him.

Overall, "Back of My Mind" is a poignant reminder that life is short and that it's important to seize opportunities and live with purpose. The lyrics highlight the consequences of missed out chances and encourage listeners to take control of their lives and pursue their dreams.

Line by Line Meaning

I woke up to my world this morning
I became aware of my surroundings this morning

Took a long look in the looking glass
I examined myself in the mirror for an extended period of time

Last night I guess I had one or too many
I consumed more alcohol than I should have last night

Somebody tried to tell me I had no class
Someone attempted to inform me that I lacked sophistication

What ever happened to me
I am questioning what has become of my life

Maybe I've been living on lies
Perhaps I have been basing my life on falsehoods

Never really had a dream come true
I have never achieved a long-held desire

Then again I guess I never really tried
However, I acknowledge that I never put forth a true effort

Now the years all slip away
Time is passing quickly

And things are like they're gonna stay
My current situation seems unlikely to change

All the roads I didn't take are just
The opportunities I neglected are now just

One more thing in the back of my mind
One more thing to weigh on my thoughts

Taking space and time
Having an impact on my present and future

Wish I'd finished that book I never started
I regret not following through on reading a specific book

Maybe that's the story of my life
Perhaps this is indicative of my entire existence

Should've learned to play that saxophone
I should have pursued learning to play a certain musical instrument

So I could tell my song to the streetlight
Allowing me to share my music with others

Shouldn't have been so stuck on my own
I should not have been solely focused on myself

Could've had a wife and a child
I could have had a life partner and offspring

Should've made that house a home
I should have created a welcoming home environment

I don't know why my life is so wild
I am unsure of why my life is so chaotic

So I'm thinking about a walk in the sunlight
I am contemplating taking a walk in sunny weather

I've got to get my shadow behind me
I need to leave my negative feelings and past behind

Try and make some sense of it all
I am attempting to understand my life's purpose and direction

With my feet on the ground and my heart still free
I want to be grounded while keeping my emotions unrestricted

I'll let the cards fall where they may
I will let my future unfold organically

And the cards fall as they may
My future will be unpredictable

All the chances I didn't take will be just
The opportunities I ignored will become

One more thing in the back of my mind
One more thing to weigh on my thoughts

One more thing in the back of my mind
Another thing to worry about

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CHRISTOPHER C. CROSS, ROBERT ALVAH MEURER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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