[If you are new on the scene, I am celebrating the re-release of my 1973 landmark “Still Life” album by reflecting on the writing and lyrics of some of the songs. The album and individual songs can be downloaded to the right.]
Title cut. The song that sets the tone for the entire album. If I remember correctly, I think it came late in the game, after most of the songs were already picked. In fact, I think we were talking about how we wanted the cover to look, and one of the artists said it should resemble a still life painting. Well I heard that and immediately thought about the double meaning of “still life” as in a life that is quiet enough to notice what is important, and I knew we had something.
Still life…
We were always meant to live a still life,
But somehow we got trapped into the fast life—
The cast life—
Where everyone plays a part.
You play a part when you are being something you are not. It’s okay for actors, but not okay for the rest of us. Playing a part is less than real—less than who you are. We’re talking about stopping long enough to be real.
You lose yourself in the fast life,
In the fast pace of the rat race,
Where no one knows who you are
And nobody cares.
If there really is a God,
And He has something to say,
We would never hear it
‘Cause the noise is in the way.
I wrote this on the verge of the digital age, and nothing could be truer today, 38 years later. We’re plugged in, tuned in, text-ed out, and something seems to be running us 24/7. Our phones bling us to attention. We have different rings for different interruptions.
Still life…
We were always meant to live a still life
Where everyone can see our real life.
Be still and know who is God.
“Still” and “real” team up here to form something we can know. “Be still, and know that I am God,” said the psalmist. “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10). The important thing here is that God is knowable, but only if you quiet down everything else and stop long enough to hear.
John Fischer The Catch 
Excellent …your lyrics were always so spot-on. The things that you intended to convey clearly and beautifully set in a prose that spoke the heart of truths so many who are in this journey to follow Jesus relate to …and engaging others just entering in ..Thanks for your continuing work .
His,
Kristina
That’s one back in circulation. About a dozen more to go.
I am certain the world does not like still life. If they slow down to listen to the quiet they might hear the Author of the age calling. That has to be it. Instead the world will seek to keep the noise rolling to block out and prevent any quiet moment where true reflection may occur.
Spot on Mr. Fischer. What a great observation that I’ve been feeling for sometime, but had some difficulty putting in to words.
I’ve got to go and get some of your music. In a sense, we think life has to be in motion all the time. But in reality, “still life” is still life!
I’ve been wondering for quite a while now why I have been dragging my feet about getting a smart phone, aside from the fiscal considerations. Reading this column, a light went on in my brain and heart. I don’t want the noise in my head! Here in New York, I watch mothers holding little children with one hand, riveted to the smart phone they’re holding in the other. I see how glazed over I can get simply from being on my home computer for too long. I am going to persist in resisting a smart phone, at least for a while. You’ve given me the best reason in the universe. I want more of my time spent listening for God, and to Him.
I have purchased the entire album, John. What a sweet voice you had 38 years ago! My favorite song is Matthew’s Blues. I sent the words to our grandson who is dealing with a difficult situation. Thank you for re-releasing this album. There is another generation who will benefit from your music.
I’d like to encourage you to bring back some of the others from that period – I’d love a non-scratchy re-issue of Naphtali and Inside. 🙂
i’m downloading the music now! Thanks for putting a link up (it was probably there and I just didn’t explore the site like I should have). It’s funny how lots of us “artists” think we have to get away to write, or draw, or paint. When in reality the life around us is what gives us the actual subjects in the first place!