Story Behind The Song
The idea of "A Moment Too Long" came to me when I was contemplating the universal feeling of regret most of us have felt (or do feel) about something we did or didn't do. I thought about the context of an airplane because so many of us can identify with that experience of leaving something behind, yet only to know whatever we are leaving may soon follow us...or we will soon return to it again.
The tag line speaks to the idea that if we took the time to truly understand the reasons for our struggles perhaps we would overcome them, but for most of us...this is a moment too long.
Song Description
The first person/verse describes a traveling salesman who regrets that he is trading his true passions in life for his need for income, and knows not what else to do other than continue what he's doing in hopes that he will someday be happy. In the meantime, he feels like an empty cup of coffee.
The second person/verse is a 30-something Mother with her accompanying young daughter. The Mother has recently left the family home to move elsewhere taking the daughter with her. This Mother knows she must do this for the well-being of her and her child, but both are still emotionally attached to the child's Father whom she knows she must leave (we don't know why she is leaving).
The 3rd person is a young Newlywed Husband doting over his new bride. Neither of them know how hard their road ahead actually is because they are still in the Hollywood version of what they think marriage is about. The listener is to extrapolate what specific challenge/wall that couple will face. Resentment? An affair? Maybe she leaves him...we don't know.
| Song Length |
5:22 |
Genre |
Rock - Modern, Rock - Hard Rock |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant, Moving |
Subject |
Regret, Life |
| Similar Artists |
Evanescence, Sevendust |
Era |
2000 and later |
Lyrics
The man sitting next to me feels like an empty cup of coffee. We both look up and back down again as the plane begins to move. the shoes on his feet they seem happy to leave the life they've been living in a nearby city, or maybe it's a small town far away.
And as we leave the ground, neither one of us wants to look on down, for the fall might be long, and we might be wrong.
Overlooking my life, why don't I feel right? (save my life) As I look into the sky I forget why, just for a moment, a moment too long.
The woman across from me places an order for a drink. The tear in her eye tells me she just said goodbye. The child sitting next to her plays with her dolls; one of them falls. She says "Mommy, I miss Daddy." I know...so will I."
And as we leave the ground, neither one of us wants to look on down, for the fall would be long, and we might be wrong.
Overlooking my life, why don't I feel right? (save my life) As I look into the sky I forget why, just for a moment...a moment too long.
And the memories come in waves as horizons start to fade. I'm escaping this life with regret holding tight. Please someone tell me why we don't feel don't right. Please someone tell me why I don't feel right.
The newlyweds just up the row escaping just for a little while. He gently caresses her face and makes a toast to new beginnings. The look in their eyes tells me they have yet to find how the sandcastles fall against such great walls and divides.
Overlooking my life...please won't you help me feel right? (save my life) As I look into your eyes, I forget why just for a moment...a moment too long.
Save my life.
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