Well...That took a dark turn. I've never grown tired of Level 42's "Children Say." Lyrically, it encapsulates the difference between the idealism one has as a child and the compromises and weariness that sometimes accompany adulthood. Musically, however, it sounds considerably catchier and more upbeat than its lyrics would suggest. Its overt 1987 production values also serve it well, and I've wondered for decades why it wasn't a hit. I wasn't prepared for iTunes to segue it with another track in my library, however, that spotlights an even grimmer clash between the cocoon of childhood and the reality of adulthood. iTunes paired "Children Say" this morning with...
...Gil Scott-Heron's "Gun," which defends being armed for one's protection. I understand the rationalization the person in "Gun" uses for carrying a weapon. Understanding someone's reasoning, however, isn't necessarily the same as being comfortable with it.
