I'm here to make you think.

I was reading information on the song I currently have on my profile and I found some interesting information I thought worthy of passing on. For your reference the lyrics to the song itself are at the end of this entry.

Lead singer, Jakob Dylan of The Wallflowers had this to say on the song, "One Headlight"; "I tend to write with a lot of metaphors and images, so people take them literally. The song's meaning is all in the first verse. [. . . ] At times, it seems like there should be a code among human beings that is about respect and appreciation."

The song itself released in 1996 is about a woman who dies after suffering from breast cancer, thus the title, "One Headlight" and the reference to "a broken heart disease" (line 4). But it's not the cancer which took her life, she takes her own with the help of a close friend who in turn is left to deal with the legal ramifications of participating in an assisted suicide. Thus the reference to, "The long broken arm of human law" (line 6).

In the chorus sections (beginning lines 10, 30 and 48) you can see that this friend was supportive through the situation almost by saying that even after mastectomy you are still beautiful and that she can still get through.

The stanza beginning at line 18 is pretty much the recollection of that moment where it's realized that the value one places on life does not exceed that of an individual's pain and suffering.

In the stanza beginning line 38 is that point of realization that the narrator is without her and left to clean up the mess.

Why do I bring it up? Jack Kevorkian was recently released from prison. This song was released at the apex of his career as Dr. Death. In his official statement he said, "My new mission is not assisted suicide. My work is effectively done there. I'll do what I can to have it legalized" (Associated Press. June 5) Did he learn that assisted suicide is wrong? Obviously not, he just learned a different approach. We are again addressed with the question of "Is it wrong?"

"Do you think he'll kill again?" I remember being asked the day after his release and I thought, "What's wrong with you?" I happen to think there nothing wrong about it. I personally believe in Living Wills. I leave explicit instruction with my Family Doctor and the hospital of what to do in case I attempt to check out as a result of another automobile accident or even minor surgery.

It was once reported to me that another person on learning of my medical history said, "He must have a better appreciation for life" and I do believe that is a correct assumption. That situation combined with volunteer work I had done at geriatric facilities in my youth makes me believe that life is nothing without quality. Also keeping a personal copy of your complete medical history is handy.

That last paragraph makes me think of what a contradiction I am and always have been. In my blog about the Berlin Wall I discussed a facet of my youth; yes I did drugs and I was no stranger to law enforcement. I started volunteering at geriatric facilities as court order community service when I was 13. Even after I had completed the ordered 2,000 plus hours I stayed on and even volunteered at other facilities when I'd move until I was about 17. If I wasn't finding trouble, I was reading to the elderly. It was actually a lot of fun, especially so when I had blue hair and worked with mental patients. If you need I can provide references.

Overall I'm here to make you think, what is your opinion on the subject then? Feel free to respond.

Note; Singer/Songwriter Jakob Dylan is the son of Bob Dylan.

The Wallflowers; One Headlight.

1) So long ago, I don't remember when
That's when they say I lost my only friend
Well they said she died easy of a broken heart disease
As I listened through the cemetery trees

5) I seen the sun comin' up at the funeral at dawn
The long broken arm of human law
Now it always seemed such a waste
She always had a pretty face
So I wondered how she hung around this place

10) Hey, come on try a little
Nothing is forever
There's got to be something better than
In the middle
But me & Cinderella
We put it all together
We can drive it home
With one headlight

18) She said it's cold
It feels like Independence Day
And I can't break away from this parade
But there's got to be an opening
Somewhere here in front of me
Through this maze of ugliness and greed
And I seen the sun up ahead
At the county line bridge
Sayin' all there's good and nothingness is dead
We'll run until she's out of breath
She ran until there's nothin' left
She hit the end-it's just her window ledge

30) Hey, come on try a little
Nothing is forever
There's got to be something better than
In the middle
But me & Cinderella
We put it all together
We can drive it home
With one headlight

38) Well this place is old
It feels just like a beat up truck
I turn the engine, but the engine doesn't turn
Well it smells of cheap wine & cigarettes
This place is always such a mess
Sometimes I think I'd like to watch it burn
I'm so alone, and I feel just like somebody else
Man, I ain't changed, but I know I ain't the same
But somewhere here in between the city walls of dyin' dreams
I think her death it must be killin' me

48) Hey, come on try a little
Nothing is forever
There's got to be something better than
In the middle
But me & Cinderella
We put it all together
We can drive it home
With one headlight