Musical Evolution (2021)
“Little Wanderer” by Death Cab for Cutie
Musical Evolution is one song listened to often and analyzed through the lenses of time and change.
Released in 2015, I still find myself obsessed with “Little Wanderer” by Death Cab for Cutie. It remains the most listened to song in my collection. Perhaps it is the story it tells that remains with me. Maybe it is the way in which it is constructed. It could be the mirror and the forced reflection on my own life that move me. Or it could be a wicked combination of all three. Knowing what separates a great song from a mediocre one, I am confident it is the latter.
In a relationship, we are all asked to play spoken and unspoken roles. With “Little Wanderer,” we see a person who is the one often left behind as the other travels the world. For the person left behind, there is a longing for the flame of love to shine brightly and intensely. For the traveler, we see attempts to include as best as possible.
I recently wrote a piece about the love of traveling and how that drew me to my partner. Without realizing what occurred over the last six years, I have spent a great deal of time traveling without him by my side. When I couple this fact with the content of this song, I am floored.
Michael Stipe of R.E.M. once wrote, “it is easier to leave than be left behind.” Thanks to “Little Wanderer” and my own experiences, I know this to be true.
Be good to each other,
Nathan
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