Hide in Your Shell

I’ve written before about Supertramp’s masterpiece album Crime of the Century. Still one of my favorites. And to think in just a couple of years, it’ll be 50.

The first time I heard it I’m sure was on the bus to high school. It was one of the 8-track tapes Gary (the bus driver) had. I honestly can’t remember any of the others, but this one sticking all these years later means they didn’t matter then either.

At various times in my life, I’ve dumped a lot of my music collection. Moving around a lot. Busted CD cases (they sure get brittle). Lost interest. Lots of reasons. But this one, I’ve kept. The old CD is still sitting there on my bookshelf, even though I listen to it exclusively in the digital realm now (Amazon Prime members can stream it, and I’ve got it on my old iPod Nano). People who know the album probably know the overall themes — struggles with mental illness and the angst of not fitting in weigh-in heavily throughout. Perfect I suppose for a kid growing up thinking about such things.

I’ve always felt a couple of the tracks on the album were incredible in their power — “Asylum” and “Rudy” stand out here. But as I was listening today, a more obscure track impressed something upon me. “Hide in Your Shell” — yeah, pretty much what it sounds like it would be. Being cut off and isolated from the world. Maybe cutting oneself off and isolating oneself from the world. But also an offer for help.

I think a lot of people are struggling right now. I’ve long talked about the well-curated lives of Facebook and Instagram, and I’ve got nothing against people who are enjoying their lives and sharing with others. But I know that others are hurting and cover it up with what they think others want to see. I’d love to just sit down and be comfortable with them. Because that’s what I think people need sometimes. Just someone to listen. Someone to make them feel a bit more interesting. Yeah, we can’t solve everyone’s problems, but maybe knowing that you’re important enough for someone to give a little bit of their life to you can put you in a better spot.

Sometimes I talk too much, and quite often I feel like I fail spectacularly at it. But I also like to listen to others. I find people so interesting and I want to hear from and about them. And if they’re bothered by something, I want to hear that too. I want to love more people, and that by getting to know them and talking to them. Actually, just thinking about it, I can’t say if there’s anything else much more worthwhile in this world.

So give it a listen. And if I can help you, just let me know…