Over the Hills and Far Away

I must have music playing while working. So, I have a classic rock radio station streaming online from my computer. Today, the song "Over the Hills and Far Away" by Led Zeppelin (in case you weren't sure) came on. It is, without a doubt, one of my favorite Zeppelin songs. Now, I probably hear that song every other day at work, but today I paused for a bit while it played. It was at the part when Jimmy Page's (love him so much) solo began. I can't describe the solo in words, but it instantly transported me back to when I was 15.

My cousin and I had just discovered classic rock and although I can't speak for her, my mind was blown away with all this "new" music I was hearing. Modern rock radio at that time had kind of turned to crap. I've mentioned before how much I hate hair metal. Well, we were in the midst of that, and I'd had enough. Nirvana hadn't become known in my dinky town yet, so I was at a particular musical juncture. Now, my dad loves music like I do, so I'd already been exposed to music from the 60's and 70's. I had lived and breathed The Doors for about a year and half, so I was stoked to find a radio station that played them...and so many others. It was revolutionary in my small-time existence. I was hooked.

Once particular band my cousin and I took to immediately was Led Zeppelin. "Good Times Bad Times", "Dancing Days", "Houses of the Holy", and "Over the Hills and Far Away" would be sung loudly while we cruised around town. I lived and breathed the lyrics, notes, and melodies.

"Over the Hills" holds a particular place in my heart though, because I have a couple of clear memories of that song playing when I was 15. When I hear it, I see myself in my adolescence so clearly, as if I'm truly reliving it. Driving somewhere with my boyfriend at the time, so happy to have a bit of freedom with him even if it only lasted for a couple of hours, and that song playing in the background. To me, it was heaven. Actually, when I think about it now, it still kind of is. Not that he has to be part of it here in the present; I'm long past such feelings for him. But, I feel driving around and listening to music is, to me, heaven on earth. There is really nothing that makes me feel more content.

But, hearing those songs for the first time was incredible. It was like someone had finally turned on a light to a path that I had to travel. And, I haven't looked back. I know I make classic rock sound mythical, but to me it is. It opened my eyes completely to how music should be. And, since I was experiencing new music and first love all at once, it was magical to me. The two are ingrained in my memories together completely. I hear these songs play, and I think back to how simple life was then. When all I pretty much existed for was a good tune, someone who I enjoyed spending time with, and maybe a few beers here and there. :) And, "Over the Hills" is a song that conveys those emotions I had perfectly.

I don't think I would ever want to be 15 again. But, every now and then I don't mind reliving and remembering just how carefree and crazy I was. It was beautiful, and I miss it sometimes. Thank god for the songs that can take me back, even if it is just only for a minute or two.