Raine Maida is the frontman for Our Lady Peace, a famous Canadian band I never really thought much of. They're the band Canadian girls singalong to, sitting around the bonfire. They're a far cry from Motörhead and Slayer, my two favorite bands. Maida opened up the day at Osheaga Festival this month and started with CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, which caught my attention for two reasons. First, it's kind of a noirish spin off the road narrative/coming of age story. Sometimes the road you've been longing for gives you more questions than answers.
Second, I have an insane friend, Nick, who has been doing Montreal-L.A by bike this summer. He pedaled straight through the midwest and got America 101 right in the teeth. This song reminds me of him, mainly because they took the same trajectory and because both Nick and Maida had confused, dubious reasons for that trip. If you're wondering if my friend Nick ever made it, well...
Raine Maida - CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR
Oh my my
Look what I've done
I'm on the run
I've got California
I kissed you goodbye
With a tear in my eye
I packed up my truck and went for a drive
These white yellow lines
These angel filled skies
The Road might be long
But it's my road tonight
It's a Leonard Cohen song
A Buddah/Allah Monk
You can be anything you want
I'm an Italian Catholic punk and I'm on my way
On my way
Oh la la lo, I'm on my way
The ocean appears
The wind slaps my face
Oh, Shangri La
What a beautiful place
I'm nervous but steady
I'm scared but I'm ready
No turning back
3000 miles in a Chevy
And I slam on the breaks
Put my toes in the sand
Look to the constellations
And I throw up my hands
I said, God be my driver
God, be my lighter
Nobody ages
I guess nobody dies here
I'll be careful for what I wish for in this life
Cause I know, I'll miss yesterday
I'll come back to you before I'm old and gray
I'll come home
But it seems so far away
The sky turned red
The ocean pulled away
What the hell's going on
How come no one's afraid
I said hey Mr Soul
What you got for me
I pulled out my wallet
I know nothing here's free
And God do you back this
This town is a black list
Oh boy what a big mess
Even Mickey's on acid
I'm willing, and able
My cards are on this fable
Come on, Alice, we're too good to wait tables
I'll be careful for what I wish for in this life
Cause I know, I'll miss yesterday
I'll come back to you before I'm old and gray
I'll come home... it seems so far away
Seems so far away
You're so far away
Oh ohohaoh
And oh ohohaoh
Oh
Oh my my what have I done?
What have I done?
I went to California
I'm gonna leave California...
Look what I've done
I'm on the run
I've got California
I kissed you goodbye
With a tear in my eye
I packed up my truck and went for a drive
These white yellow lines
These angel filled skies
The Road might be long
But it's my road tonight
It's a Leonard Cohen song
A Buddah/Allah Monk
You can be anything you want
I'm an Italian Catholic punk and I'm on my way
On my way
Oh la la lo, I'm on my way
The ocean appears
The wind slaps my face
Oh, Shangri La
What a beautiful place
I'm nervous but steady
I'm scared but I'm ready
No turning back
3000 miles in a Chevy
And I slam on the breaks
Put my toes in the sand
Look to the constellations
And I throw up my hands
I said, God be my driver
God, be my lighter
Nobody ages
I guess nobody dies here
I'll be careful for what I wish for in this life
Cause I know, I'll miss yesterday
I'll come back to you before I'm old and gray
I'll come home
But it seems so far away
The sky turned red
The ocean pulled away
What the hell's going on
How come no one's afraid
I said hey Mr Soul
What you got for me
I pulled out my wallet
I know nothing here's free
And God do you back this
This town is a black list
Oh boy what a big mess
Even Mickey's on acid
I'm willing, and able
My cards are on this fable
Come on, Alice, we're too good to wait tables
I'll be careful for what I wish for in this life
Cause I know, I'll miss yesterday
I'll come back to you before I'm old and gray
I'll come home... it seems so far away
Seems so far away
You're so far away
Oh ohohaoh
And oh ohohaoh
Oh
Oh my my what have I done?
What have I done?
I went to California
I'm gonna leave California...
Very Barton Fink, Nick.