death cab for cutie – The Great Planes

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.

“Everything is Alright”
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.)

“No Cars Go”
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.

“The New Year”
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.

“Ironic”
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…

Earlier today, I was channeling my angsty 16-year-old self, singing “The New Year” by Death Cab for Cutie. This year especially, the song’s opening line really resonated with me:

“So this is the New Year, and I don’t feel any different.”

Last year was tough — there’s no doubt about it. And at 11:59 p.m. on December 31st, I found myself hoping and praying that the “clanking of crystal” and the “explosions off in the distance” would bring an end to the stress, worry and hopelessness that plagued us all for most of 2020.

Unfortunately, that just wasn’t the case.

Last Thursday marked one year since the first COVID-19 case was announced in the U.S. Today, more than 400,000 Americans have died from the virus. Yes, vaccines have been approved and are rolling out across the country, but we’re not out of the woods yet.

Please, for your own safety and that of others, mask up and practice social distancing. We’ll get through this, but everyone has to do their part.

With that, enjoy this 2003 music video, and be sure to cover your ears at 2:25 — no one wants to imagine a world without airplanes!