I think this song is fairly straightforward, kind of a men-are-from-Mars, women-are-from-Venus statement. Men struggle to understand women, and vice versa. We hurt each other, and keep doing it despite ourselves. And when we’re ready to check out we still struggle to hang on. Some might think it’s pessimistic, but I really think it’s pretty honest. Okay, okay, so the bridge
lyric is a tad cynical…

I started this one a few years ago but didn’t finish it then, because I knew it was a duet and I didn’t know anyone to sing the other part. Then I met someone at an open mic to sing the female vocal, and we performed it once, I think. But then I got lucky–I met MJ and asked her to sing on it, and I think she really nailed it. She’s a great singer of her own stuff, but I really love the way she sings this. When we were recording it she was having an allergic reaction to our cat, which was not fun–but she persevered. Let’s see, what else? I had fun playing the organ. And the guitar solo in the middle is not Dennis’ Rickenbacker, but my trusty old Guild acoustic played through a nasty-sounding effect.

Had a great education – I read all of them books
But the opposite sex’s chromosome Xs, glances and looks
Were all so mysterious – catching me unaware
So I asked my teacher as she let down her hair

Why’s the sunrise so hopeful
That’s the way that things happen

And the sunset so sad
That’s the way that things go
Why is love so elusive when you need it to grow?

Been in strange situations – I’ve seen beautiful sights
Gone from down in the gutter to the greatest of heights
As a meaningful icon and a bad metaphor
I’ve been loved like a baby and despised like a whore

Why’s the sunrise so hopeful
That’s the way that things happen

And the sunset so sad
That’s the way that things go
Why  is love so elusive when you need it to grow?

The journey is long and the road never ends
We break every promise  and then make amends
These forces that attract us and pull us apart

Are like poison-tipped arrows aimed straight for the heart

When the summer is over and the leaves have all turned
And we try  to remember everything that we learned
Though we see through the distance  and we stand unafraid
We still try to hang on to the light as it  fades

Why’s the sunrise so hopeful
That’s the way that things happen

And the sunset so sad
That’s the way that things go
Why is love so elusive when you need it to grow?

Why is love so elusive when you need it to grow?