St. Robinson and his Cadillac Dream
"let's just get into my car and drive"

"Officially" this was THE FIRST song I ever heard off "This Desert Life". I remember it quite fondly, it wasn't a good first impression since initially I thought that musically it would sound something like "Another Horsedreamer's Blues". Alas it didn't and so for that reason alone I was not very fond of it at first. Of course it didn't help that my copy of the song came off that "Viper 98" boot that wasn;t so great sound quality wise.

Anyway, the next time I heard it was off the "Kalamazoo". This time around, the song was much better, more ironed out and well the boot was definitely better all in all. And it was then that I realized that I really liked this song. I was pretty convinced, although I hardly heard anything else from TDL that this would be one of my FAVORITES from the album.

So what's so great about this song? First of all, musically, it's gotta be one of the most uplifting songs ever made by the band. The song rolls along merrily bringing back memories of other classics as Van Morrison's "Caravan" or any song by The Band. That in itself is a major plus. It's really the message of the song however, that makes St. Robinson really appealing. Like other songs, and as the title obviously suggests, it's a song about dreams. But more than that, I think it's a call 'to recognition'. HUH? well I'll get to explaining what I mean...just keep on reading.

I see the song title as a powerful contrast. First you got the main guy, "St. Robinson". I wondered why he's called a 'saint' then I got to thinking....this could symbolize a simple man you know? Saints in general were basically simple people, down to earth who lived ordinary, humble lives. Then we have the "cadillac dream" which can symbolize anything grand or magnificent. Kinda wierd huh? Having a simple person having such a grand dream? But then again, WHY would this be so wierd? EVERYONE has dreams. This is what I mean when the song is about "recognition", it serves as a reminder that ANYONE no matter how insignificant they may seem has dreams, special dreams, dreams that we wouldn't expect them to havel, and EVERYONE as the right to recognize their dreams and do something within their power to realize and accomplish them.

Most of the verses and the first part of the chorus talk about how life can be so confusing, full of regrets and the like. It reaches a peak when Adam sings about "the comet comes between, him and the girl who can make it all clean". But then, all of a sudden, the music stops and in "walks St. Robinson and his Cadillac Dream". The musical break is so effective and smart as it's like suggesting that in times of confusion, we stop everything and reflect on where we are and try to find or retrace our first and primal dream. What made us 'go out in the world' in the first place. Basically, St. Robinson serves as a reminder for us to re-examine ourselves and see if we're still headed in the right direction.

St. Robinson in my opinion is a song meant to inspire, if not just to dream, to at least look up to those who can dream and have hope for ourselves because of them. The song pretty much serves as the BEST closing song that the Crows have ever done, ending TDL with such a great feeling. Inviting all of us to dream along and get on with our lives through all the bullshit that it may bring us....just get into your car and drive.