Singing About Sailing (2007-07-14/17)

Sunday I noticed that many of my recently-purchased songs mentioned sailing. Beginning with the songs iTunes says I play most, below are my favorites:

1. Blue October, "Into the Ocean", Foiled

   Now waking to the sun I calculate what I had done
   Like jumping from the bow (yeah)
   Just to prove that I knew how (yeah)
   It’s midnight’s late reminder of
   The loss of her the one I love
   My will to quickly end it all
   Sat front row in my need to fall
   Into the ocean end it all
   Into the ocean end it all

   "Into the Ocean" is the top of my list because I like the happy tune (despite the sad lyrics) and rapid verses. It's not merely the mention of flotsam and jetsam that leads me to like it.
   

2. Crosby, Stills & Nash, "Southern Cross", Daylight Again

   When you see the Southern Cross for the first time,
   You understand now why you came this way.

   "Southern Cross" often goes through my mind while sailing, as my quote in an earlier post might suggest. Seeing the southern cross would be new and adventurous.
   

3. Fleetwood Mac, "Landslide", Fleetwood Mac

   "Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?" is the only reference to sailing, but nevertheless "Landslide" is one of my melancholy favorites. I especially like the character of Stevie Nicks' voice.
   

4. Mark Knopfler, "Sailing To Philadelphia", Sailing To Philadelphia

   Now hold your head up, Mason
   See America lies there
   The morning tide has raised
   The capes of Delaware
   Come up and feel the sun
   A new morning is begun
   Another day will make it clear
   Why your stars should guide us here

   I've mentioned my folk rock guitar interest, including Dire Straits, James Taylor, and Mark Knopfler. In addition to guitar, "Sailing To Philadelphia" includes both James Taylor and Mark Knopfler.
   

5. Christopher Cross, "Sailing", Christopher Cross

   And if the wind is right
   You can sail away
   To find serenity
   Oh the canvas can do miracles
   Just you wait and see

   The mellow music and lyrics of this song come to mind when there's little to do but enjoy the wind and water. A breeze and gentle rocking is relaxing.
   

6. Styx, "Come Sail Away", Come Sail Away - The Styx Anthology

   Come sail away, come sail away
   Come sail away with me

   Like "Southern Cross", "Landslide", "Sailing", and "Cool Change", "Come Sail Away" is a sailing song of my childhood. It rocks.
   

7. Little River Band, "Cool Change", Little River Band: Greatest Hits (Expanded Edition)

   Well I was born in the sign of water
   And it's there that I feel my best
   The albatross and the whales they are my brothers
   It's kind of a special feeling
   When you're out on the sea alone
   Staring at the full moon, like a lover

   I was actually born in a fire sign, and rarely go out to sea, or sail alone. However, I do find sailing produces a special feeling.