Lindsey Buckingham

While working my way through the New Year’s week, I watched a lot of concerts I’d recorded on TV, including Lindsey Buckingham’s HDNET show at Bass Hall a couple of years ago. There was one tune that hadn’t made an impression on me at the time — nor in repeated listenings to the album version. But when I heard Lindsey’s preamble this time it struck a chord. Without the backstory, you might think the song a downer. But as Lindsey described it, it was about how when you have many dreams, they’re never all going to come to fruition. That’s something to deal with, but nothing to mourn — the burial of those dreams makes room for others. Sometimes you need to put “cast away dreams” to rest in a celebratory fashion, even by dancing upon them. That’s something I’ve been thinking about lately, especially as I’m contributing to some efforts to provide support and inspiration to entrepreneurs on the rougher side of the adventure. Not every mission is a success — and that’s a good thing to be celebrated. Let’s dance:

Holy light visionary sight there’s been a change in plans Going away no I cannot stay I hope you’ll understand I won’t be home tonight I’ll just slip out of sight Lay down my visionary eyes dancing on my cast away dreams Keep yourself out of sight farewell to the wishes that died Look for me in the morning light dancing on my cast away dreams

Magic one all our dreams are done I have no faith today Sun will rise in your newborn eyes just let me slip away I won’t be home tonight I’ll just slip out of sight Lay down my visionary eyes dancing on my cast away dreams Keep yourself out of sight farewell to the wishes that died Look for me in the morning light dancing on my cast away dreams

It would do no good to drown in the sea Where no one remembers their name and nothing but nothing is free

Hearts will break with choices we must make so sleep and dream of me I won’t be home tonight I’ll just slip out of sight Lay down my visionary eyes dancing on my cast away dreams Keep yourself out of sight farewell to the wishes that died Look for me in the morning light dancing on my cast away dreams Look for me in the morning light dancing on my cast away dreams