Manly Songs: Go the Distance

You know, they say the first step is always the hardest.

It’s hard to change.  It’s hard to get out of a rut.  It’s hard to do anything in the face of difficulty, or convention, or reason, or even in light of one’s own mind.  Hard, but not impossible; as you know, the right song can make all the difference.

So it was that I decided to take the first post of Cross-Up’s brand spankin’ new Manly Song Repository.  It’s a side project that’ll likely bring with it plenty of unforeseen problems, but it’s one that I’m willing to undertake if it means building manly bonds between us all -- and of course, creating THE MANLIEST PLAYLIST IN THE UNIVERSE .  The problem was that I needed the right song to start things off.  I needed a song that said, “Hey!  This is what being a man is all about!”

It would have been too easy to post a song from Gamma Ray or Stratovarius or Hammerfall, or any number of metal bands (though I will eventually).  It would have been too easy to post a guitar-heavy track from an RPG (though I will).  It would have been too easy to dip into any one of Daisuke Ishiwatari’s shredding masterpieces (though I will).  I needed something unexpected.  Something that would raise eyebrows.  Something…godly.

And I think I might have found it.

Song: Go the Distance

Artist: Michael Bolton

Year: 1997

This song is cheesy as hell.

I like the song, of course, but I wouldn’t go admitting that to anyone in person anytime soon.  It’s like a festival of all the world’s finest cheeses, collected into a single building-sized roll of curdled milk. The strings of guitar notes; the twinkling sound effects; the solo wails of Michael Bolton, and the unabashedly optimistic lyrics he preaches…all of them give the song a character that suggests a complete misunderstanding of reality.  I understand that it’s trying to be inspirational, but at the same time, it’s just so undeniably over-the-top.  Bolton’s earnest cries are praiseworthy, but I can’t help but imagine myself smiling nervously and backing off if someone started singing like that all of a sudden.

And yet…is it really so wrong to be over-the-top?

It’s not the most realistic (or modest) song.  It’s not subtle.  Even in its quieter moments, there’s still a sense of bombast; those softer notes are only soft by virtue of the song’s design, and tweaking the listener’s opinion.  But damn it, I like the song BECAUSE it’s so bombastic.  It overflows with power and conviction with every note, be it forte or piano.  It invites you to do your best, and become a hero; there’s a counterbalance between the visuals it creates, mixing imagined moments of quiet inflection with the thunderous strides of a would-be hero.  Even if Michael Bolton’s performance (or Michael Bolton himself) is embarrassing to listen to or watch, you can’t help but envision him getting swept up in the passion -- a passion that’s more than a little infectious for listeners, I’d wager.

And the lyrics.  Would you listen to those lyrics? 

I’ll be there someday

I can go the distance

I will find my way

If I can be strong

I know every mile

Will be worth my while

When I go the distance

I’ll be right where I belong

This song, fittingly, is about going on a journey to be a hero.  There’s no telling where that journey may lead, or how long it’ll take, but that doesn’t matter.  The song is all about striking out, and pressing on in the face of adversity, and never losing sight of the whims of one’s heart.  There’s something here that resonates with all of us, whether it’s a direct desire to become a hero, or just pursuing a dream that lies on the horizon.  Even if the song itself isn’t moving, the message therein is; it’s a desire that every last one of us has had -- or still has -- and Bolton’s rendition is just a means to awaken those feelings.  To set them ablaze once more.

And really, isn’t that just one of many ways to prove oneself?  Isn’t that something that all of us, regardless of age, gender, or ability, can aspire to?  Is it really so wrong to want to be a hero?  Is it so wrong to be driven to action by a dream -- or driven to action by a song?  I say thee, nay.  And to that end, I hereby declare that “Go the Distance” is worthy of a noble declaration:

And that’ll do it for now.  See you guys next time.  And remember: suggestions for the next manly song are always welcome!