Introduced one Christmas Eve
A guest everyone anticipated
An entrance that lit up the room
The gathering was elated

Only wearing the finest labels
Smooth and rich with taste
Many couldn’t get enough
A presence most embraced

Travelling with charisma
A never-ending quest
Mixing pleasure with destruction
Welcomed as their guest
Stimulating any who succumb
Isolating all the rest

Entering lives
Befriending all
Changing destinies
No target too small

Helping the meek get aggressive
Making short men tall
Turning quiet into loud
Removing moral walls

Travelling with charisma
A never-ending quest
Mixing pleasure with destruction
Welcomed as their guest
Stimulating any who succumb
Isolating all the rest

World-renowned influence
Obstructing rational thought
Persevering for generations
Despite the sadness brought

Dropping in on families
Visited mine for years
Bringing illusions of comfort
Removing any fears

Oh so sexy and hard to resist
This welcomed guest with a toxic kiss

….God help all who succumb

When I wrote “The Guest” I tried to choose words that I hoped would provoke a little thought around the meaning. I guess like anyone that writes song lyrics, I’d love for someone to put a melody to the words, and to hear at least one of them on the radio some day. I enjoy songs that make you think and take on more meaning once you realize what the words are about. One of my favourite songwriters growing up was Peter Gabriel, and there are times I actually try to imagine how he would write the song himself. His song “Salisbury Hill” was one I related to as a teenager and even more with time went. I’m amazed how much that song had meaning to me immediately, and seemed to be a story about the stages of my own life, long before they even happened. Although I don’t put myself in the same league as Gabriel of course, I do think it would be cool to write a song that people can relate to and still enjoy years after its released.

The Guest is about alcohol. Anyone who has experienced the results of alcohol or alcoholism would likely understand the meaning behind the words immediately, or at least that’s what I thought. When I showed this song to others I was surprised how few people figured it out. I guess it wasn’t as obvious as I had imagined, but it will certainly jump out at you now. I’ve had the unfortunate experience of seeing what alcohol can do to personal friends, relatives, coworkers, and professionals. It always amazes me to see normally rational, intelligent, caring, and sometimes-quiet people change from its affect. I’m equally surprised how they continue to go back for more, even knowing the personality changes they are about to experience.

As kids we laughed at the affects alcohol had on the people around us. We came to expect certain personalities to show up after a few drinks and all sins seemed to be forgiven the next day; as long as you were under its influence when you executed them. I also remember steeling a couple of my dad’s beers and sneaking out back with my buddy and a couple double-bubbles to hide the smell. We got pretty good at shuffling the bottles around in the fridge so our dad’s wouldn’t notice, and we opened them with a screwdriver or cigarette lighter; no twist tops back then. Thank heaven there were no cell phones with cameras when I was younger either; I’m sure I would have ended up as a celebrity on You-Tube. I recall one particular Christmas Eve at the ripe old age of 14 when I had my first shot of rye whiskey along with several other cocktails. It seemed to be ok; I felt great and suddenly had no fear of anything. As a somewhat introverted kid I suddenly found myself mixing in with the others and making people laugh. By the end of the night I was playing a game called Pass-Out and kissing the next-door neighbour’s wife on her kitchen floor. When I stumbled into my house after my night of socializing, I made the mistake of giggling and stumbling so loud that my father got up to see what all the fuss was about. The next few minutes were a little fuzzy, but I’m told I didn’t touch any steps as he gently escorted me up the stairs and put me to bed.

By the time we were sixteen we all had openers on our key chains; no one even questioned it. As I get older and look back at the people I knew and the events that went on, I realize the affect it really had and just how lucky we were not to have caused more damage. It’s strange how we protect and make excuses for people who succumb to the affects of alcohol. I could probably retire now if I had a dollar for every time I heard “he’s such a nice guy when he’s not drinking”. I think alcohol, like anything else is fine in moderation for most. I still take my cooler of beer to the neighbours or have one at the ball game, but for some it can be poison in a bottle. As I meet people over the years, its surprising how many of them have had similar experiences and have seen similar affects. It’s can cause people much anguish, yet we welcome it in our homes and encourage people to consume more. After all, what would a party be without it? Usually the most memorable story of a party is that of its latest victim doing something quirky, or its ability to provoke aggression. I’m not sure if we’ll ever fully control alcohol and there are many who should avoid it all together, but I hope we are at least getting a little smarter about it.