Songwriter Dave Alvin describes his song "Man in the Bed" which tells the story of the last day of his father's life.
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Songwriter Dave Alvin was with his father in his last days. In the process, Alvin found that his dad had found a way to stay vital, despite the fact that his body was dying.
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Piece Description
Songwriter Dave Alvin was with his father in his last days. In the process, Alvin found that his dad had found a way to stay vital, despite the fact that his body was dying.
Broadcast History
Originally broadcast June 19, 2005 on NPR's Weekend Edition.
Musical Works
"Man in the Bed" by Dave Alvin from his CD "Ashgrove"
Additional Files
- What's in a Song (VoicesWestWoodcut1.jpg)
- Hal Cannon and Taki Telonidis of the Western Folklife Center (HalCannonTiki05.jpg)
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Posted on June 13, 2006 at 07:56 PM | Permalink
Review of Man in the Bed
My review about this piece will be biased. And from this word on it promises to be. Ask me if I care. Lost my dad when I was 13. It happened in a hospital bed, with my little sister, my mom, my brother, my grandmother watching as he slowly faded away. He was 46. I guess some of us grieve in increments the remaining days of our lives from losing someone. Why else would a song have such a strong impact 17 years later?
This song did tear me apart and it's as simple and raw as that. Why it makes some of us who relate to it so devastated, I can't explain. It does and the songwriter captures the emotion with perfect marriage of words and music.
There. That's the most I've opened up in public and the most I am willing to. But...this piece was meant to come my way and this review wasn't destined to leave me any other way. Now, I'd very much like to be selfish and believe that I own this unique emotion and I'd very much like to say, "You'll never know what a loss feels like." But I'm proven wrong every second.