We chose a new column called “Lyrically Seattle” to showcase some of the greatest songs ever written here in Seattle (or PNW) by the most inspirational and gifted musicians from the 90’s.

I immediately came to “Long Gone Day” a song by Mad Season; sang by both Layne Staley and Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees) because it truly reminded me of my summers at Salt Water State Park in Des Moines (just outside of Seattle).

When you hear a song a lot of times, it takes you back to a memorable time in your life that you’re fond of. For me, it was my summers spent at that beautiful park. It’s a song, you want to listen to while the wind from the ocean sweeps over your face, and the sun kisses your skin. Lanegan and Staley are credited for writing the lyrics to the song, both taking turns; taking a very short time, I’m told.

A friend of mine “Fab” (Fabiola) shared a picture with a group I’m in, a couple of months ago. It was a picture of her, with Layne and a bunch of their friends at a park, that’s much like the one I mentioned above. The picture made me remember my happy times many years ago and reminisce about the carefree days of summer. This song is brilliant, both lyrically and musically. The addition of the sax by Skerik and the upright bass played by John Baker Saunders , made this song sexy, jazzy and downright HOT! The sole album “Above” by Mad Season, is still played frequently by the majority of all the Layne Staley fans; and those fans continue to grow each year

LONG GONE DAY

So much blood I’m starting to drown

Runs from cold to colder

Time to time the sky’s come down

To help me lose my way

Tears and lies for answers

You and open veins, God knows I’m gone

Girl I just want you to

Come on down

Lord it’s a storm and I’m heading to fall

These sins are mine and I’ve done wrong, oh babe

Come on down

Long Gone Day

Mmmm, who ever said

We wash away with the rain

See you all from time to time

Isn’t it so strange

How far away we all are now

Am I the only one who remembers that summer

Oh, I remember

Everyday each time the place was saved

The music that we made

The wind has carried all of that away

Long gone day

Mmmm, who ever said

We wash away with the rain

So many tears I’m starting to drown

The rain in heaven’s all come down

Silver spoons affix the crown

The luckless ones are broken

Fears and lies for answers

You and open flames

God knows I’m gone

And I just want you to

Come on down, hmmm

Lord it’s a storm and I’m heading to fall

These sins are mine and I’ve done wrong

I want you to, oh, I just want you to

Come on down

I fear again, like then, I’ve lost my way

And shout to God to bring my sunny day

(Writers: Layne Staley, Mark Lanegan, Barrett Martin & Mike McCready)