Eric Woolfson wrote most of the music and lyrics while Alan Parsons overviewed the production process. Prior to starting his Project, Parsons worked as an engineer with names such as the Beatles (Abbey Road, the Get Back roofttop concert) and Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon, Atom Heart Mother).
Since the 1990s Alan Parsons has been performing live shows, touring all over the world, but without Eric Woolfson.
So Far Away
The Alan Parsons Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Show us all what you can do
We need a man with vision
So we put our trust in you
And now we hope sincerely
That you'll do the best that you can do
Oh, for sure it won't be easy
Some will try to break us
And cut us down to size
But just remember there can be no consolation prize
Not in our eyes
It's a long way to go
We can't wait one more day
We need someone to light up the way
We may run out of time
Can you hear what we say?
Because heaven is so far away
Although time is getting short
There's still some sand left in the glass
And now we have a living breathing
Rocket man at last
It's time to take a step
And nail our colors to the mast
No more talk of great adventures
When it's movement that we need
It must be our intention
That we never lose the lead
So count us down to zero and let's get up to speed
We're up and away
It's a long way to go
We can't wait one more day
We need someone to light up the way
We may run out of time
So believe what we say?
Because heaven is so far away
And so now they cry for justice
As if justice will be done
But the eye up in the sky
Was flying too close to the sun
The Challenger has fallen
And the race has now been run
The Alan Parsons Project's song "So Far Away" is a narrative about hope and the gamble for success. The lyrics open with the welcoming of a man with a vision, signifying the risk of putting one's trust in someone to accomplish something great. The song's chorus speaks to the plea for someone to 'light up the way' as there is no time to wait and 'heaven is so far away.' The metaphor of heaven is used to denote a paradise of accomplishment, suggesting they are on a mission to reach absolute success. The song then references the fall of the space shuttle Challenger as a reminder of the risks associated with any mission. The song's lyrics caution that success is fragile amidst the chaos of life and the fear of one's ability to perform.
The Alan Parson's Project uses a mixture of musical elements intertwined with lyrics to provide a distinct tone. The guitar's melodic echoes inspire feelings of uncertainty paired with the violin's traditional excellence as the piano and drums heighten the tune's rhythm. The song's carefully arranged words help to add more weight to the melodies' emotions, lining them with introspective depth. "So Far Away" is a compelling musical arrangement that was hugely popular with the public and epicurean musicians alike.
Line by Line Meaning
We say welcome to the mission
We greet and accept you to undertake the assignment
Show us all what you can do
Demonstrate your abilities to everyone
We need a man with vision
We require someone with foresight
So we put our trust in you
That's why we place our faith in you
And now we hope sincerely
We anticipate earnestly now
That you'll do the best that you can do
That your performance will be your utmost
Oh, for sure it won't be easy
It's undoubtedly going to be difficult
And we'll have to risk our lives
We'll have to jeopardize our existence
Some will try to break us
Some will attempt to shatter us
And cut us down to size
Trying to belittle us
But just remember there can be no consolation prize
Bear in mind that there will be no second place trophy
Not in our eyes
Our point of view is it is not acceptable
It's a long way to go
The path is extensive
We can't wait one more day
We cannot persist another day
We need someone to light up the way
We require someone to guide us
We may run out of time
Maybe we will not have sufficient time
Can you hear what we say?
Do you understand our statement?
Because heaven is so far away
Since paradise is so distant
Although time is getting short
Even though time is becoming brief
There's still some sand left in the glass
There's still some time left
And now we have a living breathing
Currently, we have a living and breathing
Rocket man at last
Finally, we have a rocket man
It's time to take a step
It is now time to progress forwards
And nail our colors to the mast
And make our stance known publicly
No more talk of great adventures
No more discussion about significant journeys
When it's movement that we need
When we require movement
It must be our intention
Our goal must be
That we never lose the lead
That we never relinquish our position at the front
So count us down to zero and let's get up to speed
Initiate the countdown and allow us to speed up
We're up and away
Now, we are leaving
And so now they cry for justice
Currently, they are seeking justice
As if justice will be done
As if justice can be accomplished
But the eye up in the sky
But the scrutiny from above
Was flying too close to the sun
Was flying excessively near to the sun
The Challenger has fallen
The Challenger has stumbled
And the race has now been run
And the contest has finished
Lyrics © SOROKA MUSIC LTD.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edson Gonzaga
Procurei esta música durante mais de 20 anos pois não sabia quem cantava e só lembrava alguns acordes! As vezes eles vinham à minha mente por alguns minutos depois sumiam como poeira no deserto e eu ficava triste e desapontado. Até que um dia à encontrei! Agora ela faz parte do meu grupo seleto de músicas eternas! Viva Alan Parsons e Christopher Cross e a pessoa que postou no Youtube!
Deborah Pashkewicz
Cross & Parsons Project blend really well together. I love this combo, great song.
William Clay
Christopher Cross is one of the most underappreciated artist around. I still think he could tear up the charts today if he had the right producer.
Music and Travel
If his post early 80s (2 albums and one soundtrack song) have tracks anywhere near as good as this song (from the 90s) he would be very underrated because no one in the US gave Christopher a chance once MTV took full hold here. I doubt most people even know he did more than 2 albums. I think I am going to buy some of his other stuff.
Christopher U.S. Smith
He produces all his own songs now. The problem is distribution. If a big name label backed him and actively promoted his music, it would put the kids like Bey and Adele and Shifty Swifty to shame.
Christopher U.S. Smith
@Adam Fazari "No Time For Talk" and "Think of Laura" were his last big hits. Warner Bros. really failed him when it came to promoting his music, and there were a bunch of post-Warner albums BMG never bothered to release in the US. Grab a copy of "Doctor Faith" if you come across it, the album he released earlier this decade. Great tracks, especially "Hey Kid" and the title track (with MMcD).
Adam Fazari
Actually he isn't underrated, his song Sailing went to number 1 and one video of it got over 15 million views
D Ed
This is from "on Air" in my opinion the best Parsons album with Christopher Cross and also Eric Stewart singing from 10cc is amazing, the whole album is excellent!
mbrellin
Ian Bairnson has made a wonderful song! By the way...great guitar player, one of my favourites!
mauricio santos
Procurei demais essa música e a encontrei tempos atrás. Juntar Alan Parson e Christopher só poderia dar isso mesmo, um som da melhor qualidade...