Dust in the Wind
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| “Dust in the Wind” | |||||
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| Song by Kansas | |||||
| Album | Point of Know Return | ||||
| Released | 1977 | ||||
| Genre | Folk | ||||
| Length | 3:28 | ||||
| Label | Kirshner Records | ||||
| Writer | Kerry Livgren | ||||
| Composer | Kerry Livgren | ||||
| Producer | Jeff Glixman, Kansas | ||||
| Point of Know Return track listing | |||||
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"Dust in the Wind" is a hit single released by the American progressive rock band Kansas in 1977. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week of February 18, 1978, making it Kansas's only top ten Billboard Hot 100 charting single. Written by Kerry Livgren, it was one of the band's first acoustic tracks; its slow melody and melancholy lyrics differ from their other hits, such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "The Wall". The song's instrumental bridge contains a distinctive and highly memorable melodic line for solo viola played by Robby Steinhardt.
Kansas also released a live version of the song on their album Two for the Show.
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[edit] References in popular culture
- It was used during the second season episodes of Highlander: The Series, including "The Darkness", after Duncan MacLeod's mortal girlfriend Tessa Noel dies, and "Unholy Alliance".
- "Dust in the Wind" is featured in an episode of The Simpsons in which Bart realizes he is not a child anymore.
- It made an appearance as well in an episode of Desperate Housewives called "Your Fault" (Season 1).
- "Dust in the Wind" is referenced in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, when Ted tells Socrates that 'All we are is dust in the wind, dude.'
- It was used in a commercial for the Subaru Tribeca SUV, driving by other vehicles that turned into dust.
- It was featured in an episode of Recess, where Gus (on being proclaimed the "New Kid") shook his head and said "All we are is dust in the wind...".
- It is in an episode of Jimmy Neutron where Jimmy's clone/alter ego has depression.
- It was played at the beginning of the Freaks and Geeks episode named "We've Got Spirit" as Nick asks Lindsay if she thinks about "heavy stuff ... like death and the meaning of life."
- It was featured in the 2003 movie Old School where it was sung by Will Ferrell character in Blue's funeral, and at the end of the movie Blue sang the song while playing a piano in the sky.
[edit] Cover versions
- Soprano and Broadway star Sarah Brightman covered "Dust In The Wind" on her 1999 album Eden.
- It has also been covered by Boston, Buddy Miles, Scorpions, The Moody Blues, Metalium, Eric Benét, Keren Ann, Chantal Richard, Daughter Darling, J.B.O., Interface, Eagles, Cat Stevens, Simon & Garfunkel, Linkin Park, and Gabriel & Dresden feat. Molly Bancroft.
- The version by Spanish heavy metal band Mägo de Oz is called "Pensando en ti" (Thinking of You).
- The Chilean punk rock band Los Mox! has recorded a Spanish-language cover called "Polvo en el viento".
- Baseball player and jazz guitarist Bernie Williams has performed an instrumental cover.
- Two time Best American DJ award winning duo Gabriel & Dresden covered "Dust In The Wind" in their 2006 self-titled album Gabriel & Dresden (album), featuring Molly Bancroft as the lead singer.
- Korean singer J covers the song on her album Blue.
[edit] Trivia
The song's guitar accompaniment, commonly believed to be a single twelve-string guitar, is actually two six-string guitars played in unison, with one guitar in Nashville tuning.
The 45" single was certified gold for sales of one million units by the RIAA shortly after the height of its popularity as a hit single. More than 25 years later, the RIAA certified gold the digital download format of the song, Kansas's only single so certified to date.
