Night Train

If you like boogie-woogie music, chances are you'll enjoy this jazz standard called "Night Train." While it was originally composed by Jimmy Forrest in 1952, this cover was inspired by Oscar Peterson's recording of the song. (If you've never listened to him, then I'd say you're missing out on a great example of jazz piano playing.) The song is known for its ability to bring together jazz, blues, and rock music. I hope you enjoy!

Listen to the song here
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The last time I was on a night train, I wondered if everyone else on it with me had rushed out the door at 8:00 or even 7:30 am, sat behind a desk for 8 hours, and then rushed onto this train at 6:00, not to arrive home until maybe 7:30 pm.

Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay

That's a lot of hours, isn't it? For many of us, those are also the least enjoyable hours of the week - and we've had the misfortune of them being 50% of our time*. So much so that, in fact, Sunday evenings become the worst times of the week because we dread the coming Monday. Another week of work incoming.... I really don't want to do this.... Why do I have to spend so much time in a cubicle?.... 

*16 hours x 7 days = 112 hours. 
12 hours x 5 days = 60 hours. 
60 / 112 = 53.57%

Image by David Mark from Pixabay

I'm just another unit in a long line of "resources..."

Well, I'm 35 now. The days of youth are over -- I can't do anything about it now -- I'm stuck here for another 30 years......

Image by The Vinh Hoang from Pixabay

The rest of the evening would become a cascade of :( 's.

But, why have you made up your mind that you can't change anything?

The possibility is still there waiting for you. You might not be 18, but you can still give advice to those who are. Remind them that working hard now makes a big difference to their future. Who knows, you might even turn on a recording of this song and say, "Do you want to be on the night train rushing home from work, or deciding when you come home from work?"

Aaaaaall aboard! Image by Foundry Co from Pixabay

Of course, if your listener has an interest in the huge, powerful machines (or big chunks of metal - whichever way you see it), then they'd probably try to choose both. That's the exception. Most of us would gladly jump on option two, but you also have to realize the work involved. Doing something like becoming a self-sufficient professional or running a successful business takes a lot of effort before you see any results.

There's no guarantee that you'll see results either.

The point is to make an effort to try and stay away from the 9-to-5. You can't guarantee anything.

You just have to trust that everything will work out for good in the end. What's going to happen is going to happen whether you worry about it or not.

Of course, if you are 18 or 17 or 19, then just replace the "those who are"s and "your listener"s with "you." Because working hard now does make a difference.

Keep filling y----  Whoaaaaa! Did you see the time?! I'm an hour late already, and so are you! Unless... you're setting your own hours.....

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Back to what I was saying. Keep filling your teacup with music! I'll be filling mine, too - once I get off the night train...