I Will Find You

Introduction

This snippet is from a Seven Days In post that I did in 2013, when I discovered this amazing song:

It's one of those things. I have lots of albums I've not listened to, Today, for the first time, I decided to play "Fireships" by Peter Hamill and was stunned by the first song "I Will Find You", an amazing alien splicing of Blondie's "Presence Dear" and The Police's "Every Breath You Take". You haven't a clue whether the protagonist is a love-struck, caring admirer or an evil, devious stalker, with the latter being the favoured outcome. I've included the song just because it really is a case of you don't know what you're missing.

This is Peter Hammill's Wiki page:

I included the song in this piece about three of the creepiest songs, which purport to be love songs, but are more likely to be stalker/abuser songs.

The album is available here:

I Will Find You

I wanted to say a few more words about the song because it manages to weave beauty and care with darkness and threat.

Peter Hammill, when he wants, has one of the most vicious but accessible voices you will hear, and in this absolute beauty, you start to wonder whether it’s because of him that you don’t trust, but like “Every Breath You Take”, he manages to dress up such disturbing lyrics in the clothes of a love song.

It does mention the fact that he cares. But what is his target running from, and what does the perpetrator really care about? Here’s the first verse to give you a taste

“Trapped like a rabbit by the future glare

Onrushing headlights that blind you

A frightened runaway

At least you know I care

I will seek, I will search, I will find you”

You can read the full lyrics here

The thing is, the very title sounds threatening; it is the sort of thing that people say when they are looking for revenge or payback. On the other hand, if you care for somebody, you may say,

"If you are lost, I will find you"

I know Peter Hammill is a great composer, and I have seen him live with Van Der Graaf Generator twice, but while I find this song beautiful, it also disturbs me.

Maybe it is films I have seen where the one you believed that you could trust turns out to be the creepy murderer, but that shows what writers and actors can do, and Peter Hamill does this to us in five minutes.

When he sings, he sounds caring. I have heard his vicious side with Van Der Graaf Generator, check out this one here:

Conclusion

It's not very often I do a Beat story on a single song, but I have done it before, and this is one that I think everyone should hear and take time to listen to.

I am sure that there are a few other songs that manage this ambiguity and would love to hear if you have any in the comments you leave here.

I think I first heard when my phone was on a random play and that led me to listen to the album "Fireships" which is a great title, and I love the artwork too.

Thank you so much for reading this, and I would love to know your thoughts on the song as well. I do play it a lot, and I am no closer to knowing whether the protagonist is good or evil.

Maybe one day I will find out.