Counting Crows -> Jeremy Turner
June 25, 2006 at 3:14 pm 7 comments
Last Thursday night, I met Sean and some friends out at PK's for pizza. As we ate, I heard Counting Crow's "Mr. Jones" come on the jukebox behind the sounds of chatty crowds and the clank of billiard balls. I focused on the music, the other distractions fading away, and as I always do when I encounter Counting Crows, I thought about Jeremy Turner.
- HFSTival
I remembered HFStival 1994 when Jeremy and I were watching the band perform. The crowd was very enthusiatic and swaying back and forth to the songs."Wait a second," I said, "My feet aren't touching the ground!""Mine either!" Jeremy laughed.
It was a disconcerting feeling for me– to be moving about with no control. "I don't like this," I said, "Let's get out of here."
"Okay!" Jeremy said.
A few minutes passed and we were still in the same predictament. It turns out it is quite difficult to leave when you're feet aren't touching the ground! 🙂
- A cappella Round Here
But mostly, I thought of the times were Jeremy would sing just for the sake of singing. One evening in particular, I remember a group of us walking down a road in the late, late evening. Out of nowhere, Jeremy sung Round Here from start to finish, accompanied only by the sounds of summer insects and the darkness of the night. It is that rendition that remains my favorite (even over the original) and that rendition I will always recall.
Back at PKs, someone started to talk to me and my attention returned to the present.
"You're thinking of Jeremy," Sean said, matter of factly.
I had to smile. Sean has never met Jeremy Turner and in fact, I haven't seen or heard from Jeremy in nearly a decade. But Sean knew. From all my stories, my own oral traditions, Sean knew exactly what I was thinking.
Entry filed under: Counting Crows, Jeremy Turner, Oral Tradition, Sean.
1.
Clint | June 26, 2006 at 12:32 pm
I heard from him in the last decade.
But he promptly disappeared again.
2.
Christina | June 30, 2006 at 7:12 am
I can’t believe I’m such a loser that I didn’t realize till today that you had a blog. Anyways, cool…
3.
Jeremy Turner | July 8, 2008 at 12:21 am
Oh my god!! Dont know how I found this…
Step out the front door like a ghost
into the fog where no one notices
the contrast of white on white.
And in between the moon and you
the angels get a better view
of the crumbling difference between wrong and right.
I walk in the air between the rain
through myself and back again
Where? I don’t know
Maria says she’s dying
through the door I hear her crying
Why? I don’t know
[Chorus]
Round here we always stand up straight
Round here something radiates
Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand
she said she’d like to meet a boy who looks like Elvis
she walks along the edge of where the ocean meets the land
just like she’s walking on a wire in the circus
she parks her car outside of my house
takes her clothes off
says she’s close to understanding Jesus
she knows she’s just a little misunderstood
she has trouble acting normal when she’s nervous
[Chorus:]
Round here we’re carving out our names
Round here we all look the same
Round here we talk just like lions
But we sacrifice like lambs
Round here she’s slipping through my hands
Sleeping children better run like the wind
out of the lightning dream
Mama’s little baby better get herself in
out of the lightning
She says It’s only in my head
She says Shhh I know it’s only in my head
But the girl in car in the parking lot
says “Man you should try to take a shot
can’t you see my walls are crumbling?”
Then she looks up at the building
and says she’s thinking of jumping
She says she’s tired of life
she must be tired of something
Round here she’s always on my mind
Round here hey man got lots of time
Round here we’re never sent to bed early
And nobody makes us wait
Round here we stay up very, very, very, very late
4.
Jeremy Turner | July 9, 2008 at 7:51 am
I’m assaulting the Internet tonight, finding what I thought was forgotten. I can’t believe you remember that song I sung, that night walking down the road toward (where? vicky’s house?)
hehee, in fact, I don’t really even like Counting Crows that much anymore 😀 .. that album had about half good songs! but that motherfuckin night…
or jeez, was it some other night? i remember harmonizing with “grendel” (haha, sorry grendel, i don’t remember your real name! was it mark?) I remember so many things about my life with you guys… gee whiz, how we change and grow apart. you guys wouldn’t know me if you saw me today, i’m so fucked up. 😀 haha. drug addiction, it seems to be the nemesis of all the intelligent people i’ve known! not that i’m all *that* intelligent.. y’know, just pretty smart.
and fuckin drunk! 😀 lemme get a shout-out from my drunk mothafuckas!
so… uh… what can i say? I guess I’ll quote barry white and say “My unlimited love to yall”
5.
TGAW | July 9, 2008 at 8:47 am
@Jeremy, the REAL Jeremy-
It is great to hear from you! We miss you and think of you regularly!
Were we walking near my house? I envision either a flat street in Manassas or what about a deserted road near the Lorton Prison????
6.
Carolyn | July 9, 2008 at 9:28 am
I don’t remember Grendel’s real name either. Hahah
7.
tgaw | July 9, 2008 at 9:31 am
I think I made out with Grendel at a party and I don’t remember his real name either.
I think that makes me worse than all of you combined!!!!!