From the recording Music Is The Ride
Here is the pivot of the entire song cycle. I took my younger son, Dan (then 12) to see Bruce Springsteen for his first concert. When the Boss hit the stage, Dan jumped up and danced like he had been there his whole life. After the second song, he looked up with that sweet face and exclaimed, "I'M SO GLAD WE'RE HERE." I smiled at him and said, "Kind of like Disneyworld." He got serious and said with great emotion, "On no, Dad. This is an amusement park where music is the ride." I remembered my first concert, The Beatles at Shea Stadium, and then the first time I saw The Who at New York's Fillmore East. It was like falling in love. I knew there was a song there. For me, life is an amusement park and music is the ride. I had the whole thing except for the last verse, then it hit me. My wonderful memories of those early concerts were reinforced by seeing this one through his eyes and I hoped someday he would look back at that first concert as I look back at mine.
By the way, a Duo Jet is a guitar made by Gretsch that George Harrison played when the Beatles were starting out. The rubies floating off the ground are the red lights on the amplifiers you see when the stage is dark.
Lyrics
Music Is The Ride
Words and Music
by Richard Schulman
Drivin’ fast in dad’s old car
I don’t know what’s comin’ up
Movin’ north through thund’rous rain
Sounds just like a duo jet
I just got my first guitar
Didn’t know the magic yet
Life is an amusement park
Music is the ride
Then the band hit the stage
Crowd jumped up, we did too
Oh my face was so amazed
Raised my arms danced right through
Saw the Boss get in his groove
He showed me new ways I could move
Life is an amusement park
Music is the ride
I just got my first guitar
Didn’t know the magic yet
Life is an amusement park
Music is the ride
He see the scene fresh through my eyes
He hears the songs new in my ears
He feels the joy grow in our hearts
I’m so glad we’re here
Jangled Rickenbacker rock
Shining like a second Sun
Rubies floating off the ground
The treasure comes from having fun
And the sound so pure so clear
Rang through the air to our ears
Life is an amusement park
Music is the ride
I just got my first guitar
Didn’t know the magic yet
Life is an amusement park
Music is the ride
Drivin’ home in dad’s old car
Rain is done its quiet now
Tired boy drifts off to sleep
Sounds of music take me deep
Dad still plays that old guitar
Music is alive inside
Life is an amusement park
Music is the ride
I still have that old guitar
Magic is alive inside
Life is an amusement park
Music is the ride