Talking about this song really reveals which era I belong in, doesn’t it? I had forgotten about it myself, only to remember it when I was thinking about songs that raise my vibe. Believe it or not, this is the first song where I felt buying it off of iTunes was exactly what I wanted to do. I’m old-fashioned that way and so far I’ve never bought a single song via any of the digital download stores, always preferring to buy a whole album on CD. But this is the case where I really, really loved the song, but really didn’t want the rest of the album.
Listening to it now, what really works for me is the soaring melody, introspective lyrics and J.R. Richards’ thoughtful-sounding voice. The chords, song structure and arrangement all seem fairly standard, almost generic to me otherwise — so it shows how I have a soft spot for the three elements I listed above.
Lyrically, I liked the freshness of referring to God as “her” but what really hooks me in is the yearning I feel in the line “am I very far?” Far from what? From God? Why is he going to see God — is he dying, or about to commit suicide? I am not sure, but these words really work for me, because they just paint a picture, a very vague sense of a story– and let me fill in the blanks. Beautifully done.
It’s getting cold, picked up the pace
How our shoes make hard noises in this place
Our clothes are stained, we pass money, cross our people
And ask many questions like children often to doTell me all your thoughts on God
‘Cause I’d really like to meet her
And ask her why we’re who we areTell me all your thoughts on God
‘Cause I’m on my way to see her
So tell me, am I very far?