Quiet Moments
Lonnie Liston Smith Lyrics

Alarm, The
Starting point, the beginning of the story

Raw
The crude, unfiltered reality of the times

Moments In Time
Memories of different eras, each with its unique cultural markers

I was born of nineteen fifty nine
The era in which the artist was born

That'll be the day rock'n'roll died
The day when rock and roll lost some of its most iconic musicians

Far away on a dark and stormy night
A scene-setting description of a tumultuous time

Brought into the new decade
Stepping into a new era with all its possibilities and challenges

The sixties and her pearly gates
An allusion to the popular perception of the 1960s as a time of promise and opportunity

A hard rain fell and the times forever changed
A reference to the Bob Dylan song, symbolizing a turbulent period of upheaval and transformation

In the back of a car with the wind in our hair
A nostalgic description of carefree youth and mobility

Speeding down the road going anywhere
Embracing a sense of adventure and spontaneity

Was it true we were really going nowhere?
Rhetorical contemplation of the directionlessness and futility of youth

Sixty eight rang like a ricochet
The year 1968, marked by assassinations, protests, and social unrest, felt like a jarring gunshot

The world arose to a nightmare day
The world was rocked by tragic events that seemed to forebode a dark future

Some people found their voice and a world to change
Amid the chaos, some individuals found a sense of purpose and a drive for social justice

One small step for man was one giant leap for mankind
A reference to the moon landing in 1969, seen as a moment of triumph for humanity

How i wish that we could walk that way tonight
A wistful desire to relive a moment of triumph and hope from the past

On a woodstock field in the heat of the night
A reference to the legendary Woodstock festival as a symbol of countercultural solidarity and celebration

Rock'n'roll music defined the times
The music of the era was a major cultural force that shaped and reflected the spirit of the times

The sound of generations collide
Different age groups and social groups clashed and mingled, creating a diverse and dynamic cultural landscape

These moments in time
Acknowledging the fleeting, ephemeral nature of memories and experiences

(these moments in time)

Live on forever in my mind
The emotional resonance and significance of these moments endure even after they are gone

(live on forever in my mind)

Even though we've said goodbye
Despite the inevitability of change and loss, the memories and impact of these times remain

(these moments in time)

And the seventies king of rock'n'roll
A reference to Elvis Presley, who dominated the music scene in the 1950s and 60s but passed away in 1977

In gracelands lost his throne
Elvis's decline and eventual death marked the end of an era and a cultural shift away from his style of music

There won't be any comebacks tomorrow
The finality of death and the impossibility of returning to a bygone era

No elvis, beatles or the rolling stones
The loss of major cultural icons and symbols of the past

Why they were taken away? god only knows
The mystery and tragedy of untimely deaths

We formed a band we were haunted by their ghosts
Inspired by the past but grappling with the pressure to create something new and original

I remember it now like it was yesterday
Vivid memories of past experiences and emotions

Playing those guitars at a frantic pace
The passion and energy of creating and performing music

Somewhere we got lost along the way
The challenges and pitfalls of pursuing a dream or passion

Through the london streets in a taxi cab
Changing locations and surroundings, moving on from the past

A radio played an epitaph
A message of tribute or memorial, marking the end of an era or person

Imagine, the dream is over
An allusion to John Lennon's song, representing a loss of hope or idealism

Oh i've been silent way too long
Breaking free from past introspection and silence to express oneself or make a statement

You never thought i knew what was going on
Defying others' expectations or assumptions about oneself or one's abilities

You probably think that you are in this song
A playful or ironic reference to the audience or listener, suggesting self-awareness and acknowledgement of the song's impact

The tragedies behind the dreams
The unseen struggles and sacrifices that come with pursuing a creative or ambitious goal

Belie the truth and the honesty
Challenges to the authenticity and genuineness of one's work or self-expression

I have seen the dirt and the glory
Experiencing and acknowledging both the hardships and triumphs of life and creative work