This song begins with haunting notes  played on a guitar tuned very low.  When I hear those opening notes I feel as though I am being invited to travel down a path toward something of great desire.  And that is what I believe this song is about, ultimately–pursuing great desires.  ”I’ve got to know your name/ and I must know who you are.”  The lyrics cry out for someone or something of immense desire that is in sight but always seems out of reach.  The slower tempo of the song also communicates this sentiment–forward progress but not quite fulfilled.  Haven’t we all experienced this?  Isn’t this a truth of humanity–that no matter how vigorously we dive into living and taste, feel, hear, touch and explore what life offers, we will always be left with some unfulfilled desires.  But that shouldn’t stop us from trying!

One of the reasons I love King’s X is because they meld crunchy guitars with beautiful vocal harmonies.  It may seem trite, but hearing the harmonies, especially in this song, gives me hope for racial harmony.  dUg Pinnick, the lead singer, is African American and Ty Tabor (guitar) and Jerry Gaskill (drums) are white.  They did not grow up together, it is only by chance that they met and formed a band.  But when they all sing, it seems as though their voices were always meant to meld together.

When King’s X toured in 1996 to support their album Ear Candy they came to a club just north of Detroit.  At the time I was a Jesuit novice, so I had to ask permission to attend the show (as well as ask for some money to purchase a ticket!).  It turned out to be one of the best rock shows I had ever seen (and remains so to this day).  When the band came back to the stage for an encore dUg Pinnick, the lead singer and bass player, came to the front of the stage, looked down at me and asked, “Hey man, do you sing?”  I nodded vigorously, so he pulled me on stage, along with a few other fans.  As I was standing at the microphone with four other fans, I heard the opening notes of “Goldilox” and my heart burst with excitement.  King’s X played the song and we sang it–and I mean really SANG it–I belted out that song like my life depended on it.  And as I sang, I started crying tears of joy—it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.  Thank you dUg, Ty and Jerry!

Dave Nantais

 

1 Comment »

1. 

   I love this band. Great song.

   Comment by Myles — December 26, 2012 @ 12:52 pm

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