The title track "Storm Front" is another bluesy rocker. It opens with a nice thick groove that was inspired by Peter Gabriel's 1986 hit "Sledgehammer" as Billy recently stated on SiriusXM. Listen to Billy describe it, click player below. Ironically, Mark Rivera played the saxophone on "Sledgehammer" but was not on "Storm Front." See article.
And listen to Billy and the band performing "Sledgehammer" from a rehearsal in 1991.
The song is a metaphor about an impending crisis or a breakup of a relationship, or simply restlessness with an existing relationship. Billy writes "I've been sailing a long time on this ocean/Man gets lonesome, all those years at sea," hinting at the roots behind his desire to explore (a metaphor to seeing other women). He continues:
"I'm still restless, for the open water Though she gives me, everything I need She asked me to stay, but I'd done my navigation I drove her away, but I should have known to stay tied up at home." Those feelings of restlessness can be dangerous, and the singer recognizes this. There is a storm front coming should he give in to those temptations and pursue the "open water." The metaphor is well done containing some clever analogies and lines, but is a bit undeveloped. One keeps waiting for the killer line or a wrap up. Still, "Storm Front" is a fun song to hear in concert with its driving beat, rousing chorus, and clever metaphors. Vertical Divider
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Safe at harbor, everything is easy
Off to starboard, daylight comes up fast Now I'm restless for the open water Red flags are flying from the Coast Guard mast They told me to stay, I heard all the information I motored away and steered straight ahead Though the weatherman said There's a storm front coming (mood indigo) White water running and the pressure is low Storm front coming (mood indigo) Small craft warning on the radio I've been sailing a long time on this ocean Man gets lonesome, all those years at sea I've got a woman, my life should be easy Most men hunger for the life I lead The morning was gray, but I had the motivation I drifted away and ran into more Heavy weather off shore There's a storm front coming (mood indigo) White water running and the pressure is low Storm front coming (mood indigo) Small craft warning on the radio We've got a low pressure system and a northeastern breeze We've got a falling barometer and rising seas We've got the cumulonimbus and a possible gale We've got a force nine blowing on the Beaufort scale I'm still restless for the open water Though she gives me everything I need She asked me to stay, but I'd done my navigation I drove her away, but I should have known To stay tied up at home There's a storm front coming (mood indigo) White water running and the pressure is low Storm front coming (mood indigo) Small craft warning on the radio Billy's Shelter Island Runabout, from Boats.com. The "Beaufort scale" mentioned in the song is a measurement of wind speed.
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