Track 6: A Million Miles Away


This is another song that came from my "situation drama" approach of considering a circumstance and then imagining how it would play out. In this case, I wanted to write a song about long-distance relationships, so I threw my narrator into that situation, even though I hadn't been in that situation myself.

This song actually introduced me to home recording many years ago. I'd recorded in studios a number of times, but I'd never had the chance to try out any of the portable four-track machines that had come onto the market. Then my friend Dave invited me to try out his, and we did this song together. The tracks fell into place nicely, but then we realized that we needed a drum track – and neither of us played the drums. I faked it, resulting in a song with lots of energy at the start that thudded after the drums kicked in. Regardless, I was hooked and bought my first four-track machine only a few months later.

This production is very different from the one Dave and I did, most notably because I've learned at least a little bit about percussion since then. I was going for emotional tension here, hence the interplay between the rhythm keyboard, the sharp guitar, and the percolating counterpoint synth.

A MILLION MILES AWAY

Music and Lyrics by Lou Aronica

The days are moving slowly.

Always do when you're not here.

And waking up each morning isn't bringing me much cheer.

I know you could energize me in a moment, maybe less.

But the knowledge of that fact, girl, just illuminates my feelings of distress.

'Cause you're a million miles away

And I've gotta say

I don't know why.

You're a million miles away

And I want you here to stay

By my side.

For a while it seemed to be

Our situation was the best.

There was only time for passion, we weren't saddled with the rest.

But each and every time I see you, it's tougher still to let you go.

And whether we've got the stuff to make it last is something that I really wanna know.

It seems like such a long time

'Til our paths will cross again.

And a growing sense of restlessness is now my closest friend.

So I'm trying to keep busy, but I'm only marking time.

'Cause I'm feeling kind of lonely, and feeling lonely isn't what I had in mind.

Copyright © Lou Aronica


Track List:

Track 1: Nineteen Forever (cover of Joe Jackson song)

Track 2: The Lights Go Down at Eight O'Clock

Track 3: If This is Love

Track 4: Words and Music

Track 5: So Warm

Track 6: A Million Miles Away

Track 7: Forever

Track 8: Now I Understand

Track 9: Look at You

Track 10: World of Wonders

Track 11: Just Love It

Track 12: After All

Track 13: What I Have Now

Track 14: I'll Never Be

Track 15: Stand in the Middle

Track 16: Too Old to Rock and Roll, Too Young to Die (cover of Jethro Tull song)

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