Introducing rock to your kids #4 - Journey "Separate Ways"

Hypothetical scenario:  a robot points a laser gun at me and says:

"I come from the future.  You have 1 minute to predict what your son's profession will be.  Answer correctly and you live.  Answer incorrectly and....(uncomfortably long pause)......YOU DIE!"

In a typical timed life or death situation, one might feel any number of emotions:  fear, anxiety, distress.  But I am not nervous.  In fact, I am perfectly calm.  Not a single bead of sweat forms on my skin, not a single lump moves through my throat.  I answer calmly and confidently:  "My son will be a dramatic actor."

I live.

I am so confident of this response because I witness it every day.  There are times when I think my sole purpose for living is to serve as supporting actor for Quinn's long and repetitive dramas.  A few examples:

"Dad, I am Mufasa and you are Simba.  I'm going to fall off Pride Rock and die.  You have to hold me and start crying."

"Dad, you are a zombie who is sad because you don't have any friends.  I will become your friend and you will love me."

"Dad, you have had a bad accident and you are bleeding severely.  I am a paramedic and I will bandage you up and save you."

I am no actor but my skills more than suffice for his mini dramas.  The traditional rules of subtlety in acting  need not apply here.  The more drawn out the sob, the more pained the howl, the better.  And it's not enough to put forth one great performance.  These demands come by the dozen, with little or no notice.

This sets us up perfectly for this week's pick:  Journey's dramatic and intimidating "Separate Ways."  No mystery here, it's one of Quinn's all-time favorites.  I could play it for him 100 times in a row and he'd say, "Dad, one more time."

What could be more dramatic than 5 guys air-playing their instruments in an abandoned warehouse?  To add to the suspense, an emotional/irritated/confused/passionate Steve Perry is shown singing the song from every possible angle.

Then there is the woman in white high heels.  Where is she going and why is she walking so quickly?  Is she real or does she only exist in Steve's mind?  How can she walk so quickly in those high heels?

While "Separate Ways" has been played about 1,000 times too many in my apartment, I never seem to tire of the video.  Each time I watch it, I find something new to love about it.  The synchronized head turns, a bare armed and fist clenched Steve Perry giving it his all, the slow-motion sequence, the keyboardist clawing at an invisible keyboard like a panther (then later playing a keyboard which hangs on a wall????)

If your child has a flair for the dramatic, I can't recommend "Separate Ways" enough.  Grab your air instrument and play along with this 80s classic: