Survival rates depend on age ( the younger the better) and the type of cancer. Prostate cancer survival rates are as high as 88% , whilst liver cancer can be as low as 13%
The good news is that survival rates in the UK, have doubled in the last 50 years. Catching the decease in stage 1 is critical, with survival rates of 90%. If it reaches stage 4 , then rates drop to 10%
I have numerous friends and relatives who have been diagnosed with cancer and survived, albeit one or two have died. This song is about someone who has survived and is in remission, although they don’t quite know how long they have to live. The song explores their approach to life in this critical period.
It’s a period of relief, of gratitude, of a new beginning , of getting back to normal, of having a new perspective.
Often, they avoid the word cured, given the uncertainty about the future. Phrases like ‘ not thinking too far ahead’, and ‘taking it one day at a time’ start to arise. Some claim ‘they have won the battle’, or ‘I’ve reached a new chapter’
Remission is a a period of new hope and an understanding of how fragile we all are
This is one of my top 5 favourite songs of all time. Sometimes I write a song lyric , stream the song, listen to it in the car, then go home and take it down. It drives me mad. Most times, I upload the song and live with the minor issues that bug me every time I hear the song ( I have a long list) . Like use of the wrong word, the wrong sentiment, a lousy rhyme etc. I chastise myself by saying ‘I could do better’ . These song lyrics takes days or even weeks to write.
This song is different. This is one of the rare occasions where every thing was perfect from the moment I finished the lyrics. The lyric too less than a day to write , with very few edits. It just flowed out .The main sings , ‘Life is about today. That’s the journey. Yesterday, has no say. Tomorrow, shows no mercy’. Then ‘Survived, the final show, I got, one last chance. See how long I can go’.
On a positive note , ‘I’ve got stories, I’m still alive, I'm back, seeing old friends. He principal concern is ‘Can I handle this .Going under, in fear. Speaking, of injustice
Then, talking to her’. His mood then changes saying , ‘It just, doesn’t add up I’m a dead man walking’. He wants to ‘ Run naked in the rain. Bathe in the morning mist
Follow the sun, south. Show, a winning fist’. He claims ‘People offer me a seat
I just want, one more kiss’. We are left with the thought ‘ Can I handle this’ Tomorrow shows no mercy’. This song is for my friends that are in remission.
