If "Still the Same" is a song about gambling, then "Against the Wind" is a song about jogging.
(First verse)
The friend had all the appearance of success. After all, no one can say he'd lost anything, because he'd depart before any loss could be associated with him.
(Second verse)
The friend always harped about his secret to success. His "trick" was that he couldn't possibly lose what he doesn't invest. But the friend's belief was a "bluff" that never convinced the singer--nor possibly himself.
(Chorus)
Time passed, but the friend didn't change. He never threw himself fully into anything, and he's not affected by anyone. Instead, he just used his charm to "get by" through life despite his "high aim."
And the friend kept doing what he's always done. In the end, he's surrounded by strangers who don't interact with him, just as the singer couldn't interact with him. The singer decided his friend can't change, and cut his own losses.
Crawlspace, while I can imagine Seger "taking comfort" from a friend who never changed his playboy attitude, I don't agree with that idea for two reasons.
The first big clue is the line, "The only bluff you couldn't fake." Seger says this in regard to what his friend "always said" about a "gambler's share."
But follow me back back to the first verse. Note that Seger isn't saying that his friend wins. He says his friend wins only "when he places a bet." Seger has simply framed the friend's loss avoidance in the positive. The rest of the song talks about how the friend doesn't stick around to play. His friend isn't a winner--he just doesn't lose. (Is that something we can take comfort in?)
The second clue is the risen tone of "You still aim high." Seger had just mentioned a) how he "caught up with" the friend, b) no one blocks the friend's path, and c) charm is used "long enough to get [the friend] by". These all say that the friend isn't moving up; in fact, he's not going anywhere. So why does Seger raise his voice on "You still aim high"? Its message and tone are off from the rest of the song--which tells us it's probably meant to be ironic. (Is it a rebuke? If ever heard by the friend, it would be.)
I read a pleading, melancholy tone into the song, but Seger is skilled enough to keep the song ambiguous enough that we have room to disagree. However, what we can all agree on, I think, is that this song's main theme is resignation. (Be it of the satisfied or chagrined varieties.)
If "Still the Same" is a song about gambling, then "Against the Wind" is a song about jogging.
(First verse) The friend had all the appearance of success. After all, no one can say he'd lost anything, because he'd depart before any loss could be associated with him.
(Second verse) The friend always harped about his secret to success. His "trick" was that he couldn't possibly lose what he doesn't invest. But the friend's belief was a "bluff" that never convinced the singer--nor possibly himself.
(Chorus) Time passed, but the friend didn't change. He never threw himself fully into anything, and he's not affected by anyone. Instead, he just used his charm to "get by" through life despite his "high aim."
And the friend kept doing what he's always done. In the end, he's surrounded by strangers who don't interact with him, just as the singer couldn't interact with him. The singer decided his friend can't change, and cut his own losses.
Crawlspace, while I can imagine Seger "taking comfort" from a friend who never changed his playboy attitude, I don't agree with that idea for two reasons.
The first big clue is the line, "The only bluff you couldn't fake." Seger says this in regard to what his friend "always said" about a "gambler's share."
But follow me back back to the first verse. Note that Seger isn't saying that his friend wins. He says his friend wins only "when he places a bet." Seger has simply framed the friend's loss avoidance in the positive. The rest of the song talks about how the friend doesn't stick around to play. His friend isn't a winner--he just doesn't lose. (Is that something we can take comfort in?)
The second clue is the risen tone of "You still aim high." Seger had just mentioned a) how he "caught up with" the friend, b) no one blocks the friend's path, and c) charm is used "long enough to get [the friend] by". These all say that the friend isn't moving up; in fact, he's not going anywhere. So why does Seger raise his voice on "You still aim high"? Its message and tone are off from the rest of the song--which tells us it's probably meant to be ironic. (Is it a rebuke? If ever heard by the friend, it would be.)
I read a pleading, melancholy tone into the song, but Seger is skilled enough to keep the song ambiguous enough that we have room to disagree. However, what we can all agree on, I think, is that this song's main theme is resignation. (Be it of the satisfied or chagrined varieties.)