Beyond the Yellow Brick Road

Folks, have you heard the interpretation of the old classic song “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Sara Bareilles? It was so stirring that even Sir Elton John had to admit she sang it better than him. And combined with her soulful  voice, the lyrics become exceedingly haunting.

I agree with Sir Elton. That’s how it is supposed to be sang. Bernie Taupin, the lyricist, said the song expressed the desire to get back to one’s own roots - and leaving all the glitter and glamor of the city as represented by the penthouse living, howls of the dogs of society and the never-ending quest for fame and fortune. 

But why the yellow brick road?  Author L. Frank Baum of the Wizard of Oz fame popularized the term. The story alludes to that road leading to the Emerald City. In it dwells the Wizard of Oz who can solve all human problems. Dorothy, the lead character, wants to go back home after a swirling tornado brought her to the land of Oz. Her friends, the  Scarecrow, wants a brain. The Tin Man wants a heart. The Lion wants courage. However, the wizard turned out to be a dud. Fortunately, Glinda the Good Witch brought them to their senses. “You’ve always got the power, my dear,” she admonished, “you just had to learn it for yourself”.

For me, all the above characters are restless souls seeking the easy way out of their troubles. For Sir Elton, its going back to the farm. For Dorothy and her friends, its the wizard and his magic wand.

These restless souls are akin to what the author Gary Zucav describes in his book “The Seat of the Soul”

as satellite spaceships that lost their way. They need to reconnect to the mothership to become whole again. St. Augustine also had a similar thought in his prayer, “My heart is restless until it rests in You.”

As for me, I’ve finally decided that my future lies beyond the yellow brick road.