Music To Keep Flying By... by ZachsMind

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Music To Keep Flying By...

POSTED BY: ZACHSMIND
UPDATED: Thursday, January 22, 2004 07:55
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VIEWED: 8320
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Tuesday, December 30, 2003 6:33 AM

Since my initiation into the Firefly obsession, it's difficult to listen to music the same way. I find myself thinking that the lyrics for a song, if tweaked or not, could apply to a character from the show. Or perhaps the general feel of a song would be interesting to hear in the background for a scene in that season two we may never see. A substitute for Serenity's engines in the vaccum of space.

This morning I was listening to Diana Lorden's CD "Fighting Gravity" which is a delicious combination of folk, rock, pop, and country. It's hard to tell where one genre influence ends and another begins. She uses music as if it were chocolates and pastries. The combination of strings, guitar, keyboard and vocals are excellent in their own right, and I've had this album for some time. She made it before Firefly's comet-like experience on TV. Of course she didn't make the album with Firefly in mind, but here and there I hear that very distinctive sound which makes me wish I could call Joss Whedon up and recommend Diana Lorden for when he's thinking about music to add to Firefly the Movie.

For example, from the title cut:

"And he said you can rise a little higher in a hot air balloon,
but you gotta build a rocket to get you to the moon.
Well no one said it would be easy,
but no one told me it would be this hard.
It feels like driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
It's like fighting gravity, fighting gravity
It's always gravity pulling me down."

Particularly I hear a lot of Inara's internal monologue, especially how she must feel so convoluted and frustrated when around Malcolm Reynolds. Songs like "Anything But" and "No Rain" echo her sentiments. Then there's "Only Human."

"Take a good look at me.
Am I everything you hoped I'd be?
Not some sanitized, canonized woman.
I am flesh and fear and blood and tears and anger."

Lorden's "Freedom's Girl" could just as easily be Freedom's Boy, or Captain or whatever.

"You thrive with your independent nature and your freedom,
but freedom is a lonely word.
Everyone needs a little love in their life,
but bonds, sometimes they feel like chains."

And the sound of Lorden's music is a complement to the sound Whedon was trying to capture with the opening credits music as well as the countrified bumpers sprinkled throughout the series. The more I think about this the more a natural Lorden's music seems to be for Firefly. A tip of the hat to the music of the past from classical to modern, and a wink of an eye towards the future.

You can check out a couple of the tracks from Diana Lorden's "Fighting Gravity" album at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lorden

What music have you heard recently which now echoes Firefly for you?

------------------------------
"Always thought you needed a bit more evidence to convict a man than the color of his coat."

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Tuesday, December 30, 2003 6:59 AM

TEELABROWN

A song called "Others Standing By". It technically is about other races (Well, it insinuates that), but the chourus reminds me of a thread I read about getting off Earth. The chourus:

"Why would you go there?" they say.
"There's nothing up there anyway.
We could use the money here.
Don't you know that life's to dear?"
Dreamers never ask why.
Spend their money in the sky.

If you want to see the lyrics and/or hear it, go the www.prometheus-music.com/others.html.

I've heard more, but I can't remember them.

............................................................................................
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2+2 makes 4. If that is granted, all else follws"-Winston, 1984
Keep flyin', and remember, THEY can't take the sky from US!

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Tuesday, December 30, 2003 7:17 AM

SERGEANTX

I doubt many of you have heard of him, but check out 'The Valley' by Jeff Black. A nearly perfect browncoat song.

SergeantX

"..and here's to all the dreamers, may our open hearts find rest." -- Nanci Griffith

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Tuesday, December 30, 2003 9:07 AM

TEELABROWN

This one is kind of an odd reference, but here it is. It's fund in the song "Happiness" form You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Happiness is finding a Firefly,
Setting it free.

It just reminds me of Firefly.

............................................................................................
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2+2 makes 4. If that is granted, all else follws"-Winston, 1984
Keep flyin', and remember, THEY can't take the sky from US!

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Tuesday, December 30, 2003 10:39 AM

CAPTBAGGYTROUSERS

Let's not forget our own Stringslinger, who has been known to do a live cover of Ballad of Serenity:

www.pjshapiro.com

History repeats the old conceits

http://topshelftvshow.com
Updated! Improved! Shiny!

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Tuesday, December 30, 2003 12:09 PM

TEELABROWN

That song, Sargeat, is beautiful. It seems like ther should be an audiance.

............................................................................................
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2+2 makes 4. If that is granted, all else follws"-Winston, 1984
Keep flyin', and remember, THEY can't take the sky from US!

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Tuesday, December 30, 2003 7:27 PM

DITHER

Godsmack has a new song out called Serenity. Makes me think of the show for a lot of reasons, not just the name.

Serenity by Godsmack

As I sit here and slowly close my eyes
I take another deep breath
And feel the wind pass through my body
I'm the one in your soul
Reflecting the light
Protect the ones who hold you
Cradling your inner child

I need serenity
In a place where I can hide
I need serenity
Nothing changes, days go by

Where do we go when we just don't know
And how do we relight the flame when it's cold
Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing
And when will we learn to control

Tragic visions slowly stole my life
Tore away everything
Cheating me out of my time
I'm the one who loves you
No matter wrong or right
And every day I hold you
I hold you with my inner child

I need serenity
In a place where I can hide
I need serenity
Nothing changes, days go by

Where do we go when we just don't know
And how do we relight the flame when it's cold
Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing
And when will we learn to control

Where do we go when we just don't know
And how do we relight the flame when it's cold
Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing
And when will we learn to control

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Wednesday, December 31, 2003 7:21 AM

ZACHSMIND

Ooh here's another one. Annie Benjamin. http://www.anniebenjamin.com

"Great Divide" is actually about crossing America in the early 1930s, but there's some moments where it talks about freedom not being free or long and lonely rides. Then there's this:

"once we find our seats once the engine starts to roll down the track
And the conductor yells "ALL ABOARD" -- well, there ain't no turning back
And we'll take a ride into
That great big sky of blue"

She could change "conductor" to "Kaylee" and it'd work I think. Annie Benjamin's a great folk artist who dances between rock and country. She plays both guitar and flute. Some of her other stuff would work too. Like "Texas Star," "Free Fallin'," and "Darker Shade of Blue." Or anything that comes out of her guitar. Whedon should hire her for a day, put her in a studio and just let her play for original instrumental stingers he could sprinkle throughout the movie. And when the credits play at the end this'd be a nice song to finish things on. I hear echoes of Book & River in it.

Glory
Copyright (C) 2000 Annie Benjamin

There's a train they call Glory
I can hear it rolling down the tracks tonight
And it's going to a place they call Holy
I'll be jumping 'board that train come morning light.

It follows the Jordan River
Then goes out on its own
It runs on faith and the promise of love
And winds its way back home

And there's a bend in the river
Summer's grass is high
The farmer reaps the fruit of labor
And the wise soul contemplates the sky

Just follow the Jordan River
Then go out on your own
Believe in faith and the promise of love
And you'll find a way back Home

I've been dreaming dreams in fitful sleep
Just waiting for a sign
Sitting still on the back porch until
That old engine, it came rolling down the line

And there's a train they call Glory
I can hear it rolling down the tracks tonight
And it's going to a place they call Holy
I'll be jumping 'board that train come morning light.

Just follow the Jordan River
Then go out on your own
Believe in faith and the promise of love
And you'll find a place called Home

------------------------------
"Always thought you needed a bit more evidence to convict a man than the color of his coat."

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Wednesday, December 31, 2003 7:08 PM

LORA

Quote:
Where do we go when we just don't know? And how do we relight the flame when it's cold? Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing? And when will we learn to control?

The first time I heard that, I thought it must have been written by a Firefly fan. I was thrilled that something about Firefly had made it to the radio so long after the show left the air. Then I was disappointed when the DJ explained how the song really came into being. It is just perfect. It could have played during Out of Gas when Mal was closing off the decks on his way to wait on the cold, dark bridge.

Quote:
Where do we go when we just don't know? And how do we relight the flame when it's cold? Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing? And when will we learn to control?

"Is there any way I'm gonna get out of this with honor and dignity?"

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Friday, January 2, 2004 3:06 AM

CAPTRON

Does anyone have the tabs or chords to the Firefly theme song? I play the mandolin and my four sonds play guitar, bass, and fiddle...it'll take us a long time to work it all out and would be faster if we could download it. I loved the show but now that my four sons have seen it it's constantly on playing on the DVD. Please reply to me directly if you can. Thanks.

Ron

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Saturday, January 3, 2004 9:30 PM

LORA

Found this old post: http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=12&t=703

in it is a pointer to http://forums.prospero.com/foxfirefly/messages?msg=3729.1.

Hope it helps.

"Is there any way I'm gonna get out of this with honor and dignity?"

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Sunday, January 4, 2004 4:43 AM

TEELABROWN

In that case, does anyone happen to have the sheet music for a violin or viola?

............................................................................................
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2+2 makes 4. If that is granted, all else follws"-Winston, 1984
Keep flyin', and remember, THEY can't take the sky from US!

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Sunday, January 4, 2004 10:00 AM

HUMBLE

guitar yes, violin and viola no. sorry. was wondering if it might be cool to have classic bob seger in the movie. or what about willie nelson (even though i'm not a fan of country music, even I like willie nelson!)

Let's Do Some CRIME!

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Sunday, January 4, 2004 10:55 AM

ADAMSTERLING

For those of you who love the Firefly score, you should definately check out David Goodrich's album, 'Accidentals of the West'. One specific scene that reminds me of this album is the Sponge (sp?) Bath scene with Inara (there's a small chance, that it's because Morena Baccarin was naked, but...) . This album is a bit more sparse, but still wonderful. He plays all of the instruments on this album, and it's just...oy.

Plus Goody (nick name) is a really nice guy. You can find out more about him, and the record at http://www.davidgoodrich.com

-adam

burn the land, boil the sea, you can't take the sky from me.

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Sunday, January 4, 2004 11:00 AM

KELSO

[singing]Some people call me the Space Cowboy...[/singing]

-------
Well, here I am.

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Sunday, January 11, 2004 6:25 AM

FLYINFREE

The Young Guns 2 soundtrack has a great western theme, hell half of everything Jon writes has a western theme. Wanted Dead or Alive (the song not the script) is a good one too.

"...we're still flyin'."
"That's not much."
"It's enough." Malcolm Reynolds and Simon Tam - Serenity

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Sunday, January 11, 2004 8:01 AM

RATHBANDU

I've been walkin' in my sleep
Countin' troubles 'stead of countin' sheep
Where the years went I can't say
I just turned around and they've gone away
I've been siftin' through the layers
Of dusty books and faded papers
They tell a story I used to know
And it was one that happened so long ago

It's gone away in yesterday
Now I find myself on the moutainside
Where the rivers change direction
Across the Great Divide

Now, I hear the owl a-callin'
Softly as the night was fallin'
With a question and I replied
But he's gone across the borderline

It's gone away in yesterday
Now I find myself on the moutainside
Where the rivers change direction
Across the Great Divide

The finest hour that I have seen
Is the one that comes between
The edge of night and the break of day
It's when the darkness rolls away

It's gone away in yesterday
Now I find myself on the moutainside
Where the rivers change direction
Across the Great Divide

It's gone away in yesterday
Now I find myself on the moutainside
Where the rivers change direction
Across the Great Divide
-Kate Wolf, Across The Great Divide

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Friday, January 16, 2004 9:11 PM

ZACHSMIND

talent: Cory Sipper (corysipper.com)
album: Orbiter
music: guitar, female vocal, choral backup, strings and percussion.
song: Orion

If I could fly to a meteor
in my blue jeans chasing the dusty tail
oh, what a great escape
I'd find you in outer space

Orion,
I see you gazing through my window
from your place up in the starry sky
the distance between us should be crossed
and you know it as well as I

I'm coming up
to be your love
don't let me spend my world
looking up from earth

I heard your lover let you down
when you lived on this plane
you are better where you are
the cruelty here hasn't changed

I'm coming up
I'm your love
don't let me spend my world
wondering if I'm a worthy girl

any night now I'm gonna go
skip out on this life
fly from this home
it couldn't be a worse hell
are we all out for ourselves
with the same song playing on the radio
the fog is on a roll
how am I to navigate the twisting road

I'm coming up
to be your love
don't let me spend my world
looking up from earth.

------------------------------
"Hang on, travelers..."

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Saturday, January 17, 2004 2:07 PM

CECIL

I'm actually working on a Firefly music video using Godsmack's song Serenity. I was sitting in my van, and the song started playing, and I listened, thinking this would be awesome for a Firefly video, than the chorus started with Serenity. It was just perfect. I'm using mostly Out of Gas footage just because it fits in so well. When I get it done, I will be sure to post it.

MAL
"Nice shot."
JAYNE
(slurred)
"I was aiming for his head"

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Saturday, January 17, 2004 2:20 PM

SAINT JAYNE

Quote:
Originally posted by cecil:
I'm actually working on a Firefly music video using Godsmack's song Serenity.

Excellent, I can't wait to hear it. I've never heard Serenity by Godsmack. I'm wondering how suitable it would be for a western style show. Still, I'm a big Rammstein fan, so bring it on!

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Saturday, January 17, 2004 6:18 PM

DITHER

It's sung rather slow and mournful. With only guitar and drums I think. Have a listen to it here: http://www.mtv.com/bands/az/godsmack/audvid.jhtml

Cecil, can't wait to see the finished product.

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Monday, January 19, 2004 11:24 AM

BOOMERGOODHEART

Ok, I didn't read through this whole thread, so forgive me if I'm repeating what someone else said.

I have to agree with DARKSYDE about Nickel Creek. My stepdaughter introduced me to this group over Christmas, and I love the music! Most of the songs remind of something you'd hear in a Firefly episode. I highly recommend this band.

BoomerGoodheart
"I love my Captain."

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Monday, January 19, 2004 12:14 PM

LADYJAYNE

Strangely enough, I haven't found any songs that I normally listen to that remind me of Firefly. Music is usually the first thing I associate with a "new obsession".

Maybe it's what I listen to these days, which is primarily synth-pop and industrial. Doesn't really go with Firefly, perhaps. Maybe I oughta get out my Indigo Girls stuff.

Thanks for the suggestions, though. I may check them out.

--Kala

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Monday, January 19, 2004 12:44 PM

BOOMERGOODHEART

Definitely check out Nickel Creek! And if you look hard enough, a lot of instrumental Celtic music has the same kind of flavor. I'll be happy to send MP3s to anyone who'd like to try my stuff out.

BoomerGoodheart
"I love my Captain."

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Tuesday, January 20, 2004 12:33 PM

CLANGASSOCIATION

"Going Home" from the Gods and Generals OST
sung by Mary Fahl

They say there's a place, where dreams have all gone
They never said where, but I think I know
Its miles through the night, just over the dawn
On the road that will take me home

I know in my bones, I've been here before
The ground feels the same, tho' the land's been torn
I've a long way to go, the stars tell me so
On this road that will take me home.

Love waits for me round the bend
Leads me endlessly on
Surely sorrows shall find their end
And all our troubles will be gone
And I know what I've lost, and all that I won
When the road finally takes me home.

And when I pass by , don't lead me astray
Don't try and stop me , don't stand in my way
I'm bound for the hills where cool waters flow
On this road that will take me home.

Love waits for me round the bend
Leads me endlessly on
Surely sorrows shall find their end
And all our troubles will be gone
And we'll know what we've lost and all that we've won
When the road finally takes me home.

I'm going home
I'm going home
I'm going home

---

If you've not seen Gods and Generals, here's some context: "Going Home" is the movie's first track, and it sets the theme for most of the rest of the soundtrack. True to history, Stonewall Jackson is shot by one of his own men and dies from pnemonia at the end of the movie. So it isn't until after Jackson's funeral that you really see what "Going Home" was about.

It reminds me of Firefly for several reasons. Firstly, it is, obviously, set to the style of music that was around during the American Civil War, and I'm sure most of us are aware of the parallels between the Independents' war with the Alliance and the Confederates' war with the Union. Second, many of the lines make me think of Serenity Valley: "They say theres a place , where dreams have all gone"--"I know in my bones, I've been here before"--"And I know what I've lost, and all that I won". That's the Browncoats' spirit in a nutshell. Third, it reminds me of Tracey ("The Message" is my fave). The song is really intended to evoke the image of Elysium or Heaven or just whatever resting place you can call your own. That, to me, is "The Message".

Sometimes I just set this song to play, and I sit back and look over my Firefly desktop wallpaper. I look at each of the cast members; and in spite of FOX's vacuous stupidity, I can't help but be content with just the fourteen episodes on my FF:TCS DVD.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2004 1:21 PM

MALSDOXY

I know what did this...

I thought Mal said ' You know, you only gotta scare him...

browncoats...we're everywhere

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Thursday, January 22, 2004 7:55 AM

CAPTAINCDC

Quote:
Originally posted by SergeantX:
I doubt many of you have heard of him, but check out 'The Valley' by Jeff Black. A nearly perfect browncoat song.

SergeantX

"..and here's to all the dreamers, may our open hearts find rest." -- Nanci Griffith

Thanks SergeantX. I checked out Jeff Black based on what you posted. When I saw that John Stirratt and Jay Bennett were involved in the recording of Birmingham Road (which has The Valley), I knew I had to try it out. I got it in today and I love it. Shiny.

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

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