Dust in the Wind
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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.
Though Kansas was not considered at the time to be a band that played Christian Music per se, this song is said to be of deeply spiritual significance and is played in modern funerals from time to time [citation needed].
References in popular culture
The song is featured in the film Old School, during which Will Ferrell sings it to his deceased friend Joseph "Blue" Palasky. It was also used during the second season episodes of Highlander: The Series, including "The Darkness", after Duncan MacLeod's mortal girlfriend 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 also used in a commercial for the Subaru Tribeca SUV, driving by other vehicles that turned into dust. It was also 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 also in an episode of Jimmy Neutron where Jimmy's clone/alter ego has depression.
Cover versions
Soprano and Broadway star Sarah Brightman covered "Dust In The Wind" on her 1999 album Eden. It has also been covered by The Eagles, Scorpions, The Moody Blues, Mägo de Oz, Metalium, Linkin Park and Eric Benét.
Spiritual Significance
Some believe that "Dust in the Wind" is heavily influenced by the book of Ecclesiastes in The Bible. The notion of vanity is especially significant.
Ecclesiastes 1:3-4 states:
3 What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?
4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
Similarly, "Dust in the Wind" says:
All we do crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see
Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind
[Now] Don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
See also
External links
- YouTube hosts dozens of versions of the song, authorized or otherwise, of varying quality.
- Official Site
- Official Site of Kerry Livgren
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