Standing Still
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Promotional CD - USA - 1st edition. |
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Standing Still is a pop rock song by Jewel initially released as a single on 2001-09-24 and a promotional single, then as track 1 on the album This Way on 2001-11-13. Jewel collaborated with Rick Nowels to compose the music, but wrote the lyrics herself. The single is the same as the album version, but there is also a radio edit which cuts out 32 seconds. On the album recording, Jewel sings vocals, John Willis plays acoustic guitar, Dann Huff and Jerry McPherson play electric guitar, Jimmie Sloas plays bass, Chris McHugh plays drums, Eric Darken plays percussion, and Tim Akers plays keyboards.
Jewel said the song was about the irony of having to constantly travel as a performer, but feeling as though your life is standing still because it's hard to grow and mature when constantly touring. The song was written well into her three-year hiatus after
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Personal
This is my favorite Jewel song. I like how the song opens with a soft instrumental which gives it a lonely feeling right from the beginning. Throughout the song, Jewel's vocals are pained and longing with a mild country twang which perfectly fits the song's theme of pining for a lover. I like the guitar after the lyric, "on this hot summer night." The progression of emotions from do you "want me" to "need me," and finally "love me," is great. The staccato lyrics after the third chorus is a nice way to emphasize the ending as well.
Lyrics
Cuttin' through the darkest night in my two headlights. Trying to keep it clear, but I'm losing it here to the twilight. There's a dead end to my left, there's a burning bush to my right. You aren't in sight. You aren't in sight. Do you want me, like I want you? Or am I standing still, beneath the darkened sky? Or am I standing still, with the scenery flying by? Or am I standing still, out of the corner of my eye? Was that you passing me by? Mothers on the stoop, boys in souped-up coupes on this hot summer night. Between fight and flight is the blind man's sight and the choice that's right. I roll the window down, feel like I'm gonna drown in this strange town. Feel broken down. I feel broken down. Do you need me, like I need you? Or am I standing still, beneath the darkened sky? Or am I standing still, with the scenery flying by? Or am I standing still, out of the corner of my eye? Was that you passing me by? Sweet sorrow is the call tomorrow. Sweet sorrow is the call tomorrow. Do you love me, like I love you? Or am I standing still, beneath the darkened sky? Or am I standing still, with the scenery flying by? Or am I standing still, out of the corner of my eye? Was that you passing me by? Are you passing me by? (Passing me by) Do you want me? (Passing me by) Do you need me, like I need you too? (Passing me by) And do you want me, like I want you? (Passing me by) Are you passing me by?
Media
Album Art
The single album cover uses the same graphic layout that would be used on the subsequent album This Way: a grayscale photo of Jewel, her name in blue, and the title in white. The promotional release in the USA and Europe place "Jewel" on the bottom, all other versions have it on the top. The Chilean release has a totally different cover.
USA promo cover.
Videos
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