A week ago today, my husband and I saw Death Cab for Cutie at Climate Pledge Arena. The Seattleites played their most popular album, “Transatlanticism,” in full on the 20th anniversary of its release. Since then, I’ve been singing my favorite song, “The New Year,” practically nonstop. But for whatever reason, when I was driving up to Everett yesterday to see the NASA DC-8 that’s in town supporting Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program, I realized that song has a lyric that’s rather ironic given my work in — and strong passion for — aviation.
“No more airplanes, or speed trains, or freeways.”
Shortly thereafter, I realized that three (yes, THREE!) of my favorite songs feature what could only be considered nightmarish lyrics — lyrics that allude to a world without airplanes or a general dislike of airplanes.
Seriously!?
Yes. See (and listen!) for yourself.
Motion City Soundtrack
00:56
‘Cause I hate the ocean, theme parks and airplanes,
Talking with strangers, waiting in line.
I’m through with these pills that make me sit still.
Are you feeling fine?
(Yes, I feel just fine.)
Arcade Fire
00:58
We know a place where no planes go.
We know a place where no ships go.
Hey!
No cars go.
Hey!
No cars go,
Where we know.
Death Cab for Cutie
02:17
I wish the world was flat like the old days,
Then I could travel just by folding a map.
No more airplanes, or speed trains, or freeways.
There’d be no distance that could hold us back.
Things took an even weirder turn when I thought to title this post, “Isn’t it ironic?” after the classic Alanis Morissette song. I then started singing that song in my head.
“Really…?”
Yes, really.
Alanis Morissette
01:06
Mr. Play-It-Safe was afraid to fly.
He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids good-bye.
He waited his whole damn life to take that flight,
And as the plane crashed down he thought, “Well isn’t this nice?”
And isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?
A little too ironic, and yeah I really do think…
The Great Planes 