There’s “No other way” like Jack’s way
No matter what the average Oregonian thinks of Jack Johnson: if my “happy place” were inside an elevator, it’d be his music playing through the speakers. If my life were a movie, he’d write the soundtrack to all the beautiful parts…Wherever there is sunshine, his rhythms and rhymes should be sung. And wherever there is rain, they should be remembered.
“Sometimes, if somebody comes up to me and once they get a photograph or my signature, and my older boy is with me, he kind of trips out on them a little bit and asks why–like, ‘How come they wanted to get their picture with you?’ and stuff and…
It’s always kind of hard to explain, but the thing I always try to tell him is…it’s because the songs that we sing are about love…that that makes people feel good. That’s how I always explain it to my son, at least, is that the theme of love is what attracts people.” –JACK JOHNSON (En Concert DVD)
Dear Jack, it’s always better when we’re together.
I had to write this because some of my friends at work (all of whom love good music) have treated my adoration for Jack’s music with a worried sense of disdain. I just tell them that if they ever go somewhere sunny, then they’d understand. And I agree that his music may not be written for the cloudy hills and valleys of the Pacific Northwest, but for the sunny beaches of Hawaii and weekend roadtrips up and down the California coast. I do however feel instantly transported–everytime I hear his songs–to the high passes of Yosemite, and drives to Glacier, Tioga and Mammoth. I see the granite passing by either side of the car, I hear the wind coming in through the window, and I can smell the scent of new growth on the pines and firs. I hear the birds echoing their refrain. I see the trailhead leading to wilder lands.
I miss you California, but I brought with me to Oregon a good friend. And he sings me lullabys that remind me of the love and company we shared, and I feel like everything’s alright for now. So I’ll just put the MP3s on “shuffle” and let him sing me to sleep where I may dream of you tonight since there’s no other way to reach you.
[drew]
