Songs on The Meaning of Life: Bowie, Firewater and One Giant Leap

In the past year my life has drastically changed. With the exception of a weekly radio show and my closest friends, the tectonic plates of my world have shifted into unknown territory.

Last year my documentary-making job ended and with it our run of 500 radio stories on musical subjects. I moved to the outskirts of the city with my longtime boyfriend and his 8-year-old daughter and started my own business working from home.

Dropping the urban dark-haired look that I’ve had since the punk documentary series, I’ve changed back to (highlights and) my natural blonde coloring. I’m concerned that I’m starting to look like the softie I am.

So at 46 years old I’m starting over.  These are all good changes, but for the first time in my life I’m not sure exactly what passion to follow. Suddenly missing the tunnel-vision of my 20s and 30s, the choices of how to leave an impression on the world seem overwhelming.

So I’ve been turning to the source question: “Why are we (humans) here on this planet?”

Rethinking the remaining time on earth and what to do with it – I turn to music from One Giant Leap, David Bowie and Firewater.

1. One Giant Leap – “My Culture”

Traveling duo One Giant Leap have taken their laptop studios to hundreds of countries around the globe. They specialize in recording parts of the same song in different locations with very diverse musicians.

This song “My Culture” makes a case that we live for the purpose of personal and scientific evolution.

2. Firewater -”Bourbon and Division”

New York band Firewater throw Flamenco tension into this existential barroom ballad “Bourbon and Division.” There’s something very “eat, drink and be merry” about the song and the band’s philosophy.

The lyrics mark the path of a dark thinking man’s pen. “Do you remember what you came here for?”

3. David Bowie – “Quicksand”

Only this version of Bowie’s “Quicksand” from the album Hunky Dory has the power to stop me in my brain tracks when endlessly musing on the purpose of life.

It seems he’s saying: “Don’t even try to figure it out. It’s a drama, a mystery only revealed by the final scene.”

“Don’t believe in yourself. Don’t deceive with belief. Knowledge comes with death’s release.”

I’m the twisted name
On Garbo’s eyes
Living proof of
Churchill’s lies
I’m destiny
I’m torn between the light and dark
Where others see their targets
Divine symmetry
Should I kiss the viper’s fang
Or herald loud
The death of Man
I’m sinking in the quicksand
Of my thought
And I ain’t got the power anymore

[CHORUS]
Don’t believe in yourself
Don’t deceive with belief
Knowledge comes
With death’s release

I’m not a prophet
Or a stone age man
Just a mortal
With the potential of a superman
I’m living on
I’m tethered to the logic
Of Homo Sapien
Can’t take my eyes
From the great salvation
Of bullshit faith
If I don’t explain what you ought to know
You can tell me all about it
On, the next Bardo
I’m sinking in the quicksand
Of my thought
And I ain’t got the power anymore

Bowie’s right, that we are powerless in a way. Free will, though, is a potent thing. It’s brought me to choose the job and family I’ve always wanted. I’ve found love.

For the first time I’m making a living on my own terms with a kind of flexibility I’d only ever dreamed of. It’s taken this year past to get here. And after a lot of reflection, the next step should be all about purpose.

Are people here on earth for scientific and personal evolution? Yes. The evidence is everywhere.

Were we meant to be observers of the universe, since humanity is distinguished by awareness? Maybe.

Were we made to eat drink and be merry? Might as well.