Storm Front

Storm Front
(Storm Front) (1989)

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A great fan video created by Tony Walker. Billy in fine form. Mindy Jostyn was a great addition to the Storm Front tour.

Download "Storm Front"

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 title track "Storm Front" is another bluesy rocker. It opens with a nice groove that was inspired by Peter Gabriel's hit "Sledgehammer" from 1986, as Billy recently stated on SiriusXM. Listen to Billy describe it, click player below:

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.

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.

Videos

Peter Gabriels' Sledgehammer from 1986, which was a huge hit. The opening groove inspired the "Storm Front" groove, as Billy said on SiriusXM.