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THE POWER OF LOVE (THE TAO OF LOVE)
(Lyrics and Music by Rick Springfield)
I think that somewhere along the line
(And it's said, all things return to you in time)
I must have finally opened up to your love
Though I was building a wall at heaven's gate
(Everything comes to those who wait)
You must have found the secret path into my soul
And now you're part of my life
I can't believe that this is mine
Every light has its time to shine
I want to understand this change in me
Is it the power of love
Is it the power of love
Is this the tao of love
I feel the power of love
Caught up in the famous paper chase
(In your eyes, I saw how I never fell from grace)
I must have finally opened up to your love
And I heard the battle's not always to the strong
(The race is not always to the fleet)
And the one who seeks to pluck the stars
Will miss the jewels at his feet
Blinded by momentary power
We almost had the final hour
I'll never know what caused the change in me
Was it the power of love
Is it the power of love
Is this the tao of love
I feel the power of love
Is it the power of love
Is this the power of love
Is this the tao of love
I feel the power of love
And I thought anything for the cause is worth the price
(Losing you was the sharp edge of the knife)
Now no more fear, the way is clear
I know you are the power in my life
So better late than never
'Cause this heart is yours forever
I'll never know what caused the change in me
Was it the power of love
Is it the power of love
Is this the tao of love
I feel the power of love
Is it the power of love
Is it the power of love
Is this the tao of love
I feel the power of love
I think that somewhere along the line
(And it's said all things return to you in time)
I must have finally opened up to your love
(total playing time 4:58)
Song Facts:
This song appears on the following releases: Tao, Calling All Girls
(Romantic Collection), and Anthology (written in rock). |
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According
to US
I actually ended up liking the song more than what I had remembered. It is very soothing. I like to see it as a love song, though instead of the Joy of having found a new "religion".
It's like he was so resistant to accepting the love and somehow, when he wasn't looking, he let his guard down and realized what a wonderful thing it was, and now he can't believe he's so lucky to have it.
I really like this part:
Blinded by momentary power
We almost had the final hour
I'll never know what caused the change in me
His fame made him loose track of what he really wanted and what was really important. If he hadn't used the word "we", I would almost think the "final hour" reference may have referred to being depressed and thinking about suicide.
- rlh
When I first started reviewing Tao (5 years ago...) I did some internet research on Tao and Taoism basically to satisfy my curious nature. When the album first came out and I was a teen, I couldn't have cared less what all of it stood for. I was of the opinion that it was just something that Rick was "In To" and left it at that. Boy were my eyes opened after I started reading my research findings.
This song, The Power of Love, is Rick rehashing everything that is taught about Tao & Taoism. Good thing it's an ancient religion, or someone might have had a problem with plagiarism :-). The lines that are sung in the background, which appear in the lyrics in parenthesis are the basic mantras for the Tao religion.
"All things return to you in time" "Everything comes to those who
wait" "The race is not always to the fleet". So I guess that explains the "haunting" feel to this song. I always felt (even back "in the day") that these lines sounded more like a chant done in church rather than a rock song. Again, another facet on the kaleidoscope that makes up the wonderful man we know as Rick Springfield.
When I first acquired this album, I spent many a night falling asleep to this song, specifically listening to Rick. I had a cassette walkman, and I'd put those headphones on and crawl into bed, into my Rick world, where no one was arguing in the night, or crying in the other room. Rick would sing me to sleep. Now, I always felt that I fell asleep to this song particularly because it was the last song on the first side, and the tape just ended there (no auto flip yet, it was 1985). But I do believe that the soothing sound of the music along with Rick's smooth voice echoing words about love, and life, and stars and jewels assisted me in wonderful slumber. To me, it didn't really matter that the song was about religion, and truthfully, I always thought of it to be another love song about a man/woman relationship that (I thought) Rick was famous for. He does sing one of my all-time favorite "Rick lines" "cause this heart is yours forever" which to me says *I'm in love* more than anything other topic he may be trying to address in this song. Plus I'm such a sucker for that sap. Being 16 years old and having my idol sing me that line as I was falling asleep just made everything all right in my world.
- Michelle P.
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