Michael
Crosby Nash Lyrics
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Then all I knew of you was gone
Except your music that I know will never die
Going on and on
Going on and on
In my life you were such a shining star
Burning bright for all to hear
Playing loud and clear
Playing loud and clear
Michael, flame on
Michael, bright eye
Michael, shine through
Michael, goodbye
The song 'Michael' by Crosby and Nash is a tribute to a musician named Michael Hedges who passed away in 1997 in a car accident. The lyrics describe the singer's first encounter with Michael, where he saw him playing like a "fire in the sky", which is an allusion to how Hedges played his guitar with immense passion and energy. The singer laments the fact that he only knew him for a short while but his music will continue to live on forever. The line "Going on and on" reflects the idea that Hedges' music will continue to inspire future generations of musicians, and his legacy will never die.
The second verse is the singer's reflection on Michael's life, where he describes him as a shining star that burned bright for all to hear. He then mentions the sound of his guitar playing in the distance, which is a metaphor for how Michael's music will continue to be heard long after his passing. The chorus is a farewell to Michael, with the repeated line "Michael, flame on, Michael, bright eye, Michael, shine through, Michael, goodbye" being a tribute to his enduring artistic spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw you there like a fire in the sky
I first noticed your talent like a bright light, impossible to ignore
Then all I knew of you was gone
Eventually, I didn't know much about you besides your music
Except your music that I know will never die
Despite everything, your music will continue to live on for generations to come
Going on and on
Your legacy will persist infinitely
In my life you were such a shining star
To me, you were a beacon of light in my life
Burning bright for all to hear
Your talent was undeniable and everyone could recognize it
And in the distance is the sound of your guitar
Even in your absence, the music you created continues to resonate
Playing loud and clear
It's still just as vibrant and powerful as it's always been
Michael, flame on
A tribute to the brilliant light that was Michael's talent and spirit
Michael, bright eye
Acknowledging Michael's strong presence and piercing gaze
Michael, shine through
Encouraging Michael's memory to continue to shine and inspire
Michael, goodbye
Parting words to an incredibly talented musician whose music will continue to live on
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
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