MICHAEL DAVID LEWIS
HEADIN' NORTH - A Rock Opera
HEADIN' NORTH - A Rock Opera
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Produced by Michael David Lewis
Recorded at Beautiful Boy Studios, San Diego, CA
"Headin' North" is a rock opera chronicling the life and times of a young man, "The
Protagonist", on a quest to find himself, and ultimately salvation through music. He
literally heads "North" to find spiritual fulfillment through earthly means and through
his own perception of self. He eventually finds this approach an empty one, and in
the end he faces the fact that to truly head "North" he must rely on the power of God
in his life.
Each song represents a step in the life of our protagonist. From humble beginnings
as a youth who is impacted by the death of Elvis Presley, The Protagonist harbors a
secret desire to someday become as big as "The King" himself - through fame and
fortune he hopes to find fulfillment and the ultimate salvation. He eventually makes
his way Northward to make his dreams come true.
It's a tough world he falls into - many do not believe in his music and talent like he
believes in himself. Tying an ultimate sense of self-worth through earthly values he
slowly spirals downward and eventually finds himself at the end of his rope;
musically, artistically, and spiritually bankrupt after giving it his all, he resigns
himself to failure. He faces a breakdown where he finally has a spiritual
breakthrough - by finding True Salvation through Jesus Christ - the true King - he
realizes there is a light to life and there is much more to life than earthly desires
such as fame and fortune. He is now truly "Headin' North".
Below is a synopsis of each song and how they relate to this story.
Track Listing:
(click on title for lyrics)
"Intro"
Looking for the sun to break out of the clouds...
"August 16, 1977"
Our story begins with our protagonist on the day Elvis Presley died. The impact of Elvis Presley's death is
profound on our protagonist on that fateful day. Heroes become larger than life, and when they die, the myth
takes over and they transcend into legendary, godlike status. Sometimes they become a substitute for the real
God.
"Blackwood Drive"
Our protagonist looks back on his childhood. Presently he is finding himself alone on the street of his childhood,
Blackwood Drive. All of his friends have left and now he finds himself alone. He finds himself empty, longing for
a simple past.
"Dirty Little Secret"
The Protagonist harbors a secret - music is his salvation and he does not feel complete unless he can succeed
with his dream of becoming "The King" (like Elvis Presley) through his first love, music. Self conscious and
somewhat ashamed, he is loathe to tell anyone about his secret dream. Deep down, not even consciously
realizing it, he knows from the start that there is only one salvation but the desire for fame, fortune, and yes, even
power, is too strong for our protagonist.
"Headin' North"
Looking for a vision to see...
Not finding fulfillment with his current lot in life and seeking salvation through earthly means, he decides to head
"North" (literally and, he hopes, spiritually) to fulfill his dream of finding his salvation through music. Not really
knowing what he needs or how he will go about finding his ultimate fulfillment, he takes a "wrong turn" and
keeps on going, hoping it turns out to be a right turn in the end.
"A Million Miles"
The protagonist gets a first-hand look at the broken dreams of stardom. He witnesses a broken soul at the end
of his rope, an anonymous person who had also headed north to attain his dreams, only to end up broken. The
protagonist can only pray for the soul of the one who had travelled a million miles only to end up broken. The
prayer is also directed towards himself.
"Walking Tall"
The task at hand proves to be difficult - on his own he attempts to become the next "King" but he finds himself a
pauper in the big scheme of things. He puts on a brave front, but the reality is this: he is not appreciated and his
aspirations to "be someone" through music is failing. He is not finding the spiritual fulfillment that he has been
seeking. He keeps getting knocked down, but he steels himself to get back up and try again. Alone and on his
own.
"One Last Shot"
Looking for a sign on the side of the road...
Eventually he finds himself penniless, empty, and a failure. Broken dreams and relationships litter his rear view
mirror as he sits at the bus stop contemplating a wasted life. In one last act of desperation he cries out for "one
last shot" to be someone, to find redemption and salvation through music.
"It's Coming Up"
He finally confronts his so-called failures. Through honest self-reflection he comes to the realization that it is not
in his own hands, but in God's hands. It is a difficult concept for him to accept - he grapples with this and goes
through much internal struggle.
"Light of Day"
Our protagonist finally accepts a Higher Power and, through surrender to Jesus - The True King - as his savior,
finds not only salvation, but also himself. He comes to realize in the end the affirmation of one's life is not
something that can be attained through earthly means. Finally, he is free to find true contentment in life and is
hopeful that something good awaits.
"Reprise"
Looking for a reason to be...
All songs written by Michael David Lewis,
Copyright © 2009 Michael David Lewis
All Rights Reserved
Recorded at Beautiful Boy Studios, San Diego, CA
"Headin' North" is a rock opera chronicling the life and times of a young man, "The
Protagonist", on a quest to find himself, and ultimately salvation through music. He
literally heads "North" to find spiritual fulfillment through earthly means and through
his own perception of self. He eventually finds this approach an empty one, and in
the end he faces the fact that to truly head "North" he must rely on the power of God
in his life.
Each song represents a step in the life of our protagonist. From humble beginnings
as a youth who is impacted by the death of Elvis Presley, The Protagonist harbors a
secret desire to someday become as big as "The King" himself - through fame and
fortune he hopes to find fulfillment and the ultimate salvation. He eventually makes
his way Northward to make his dreams come true.
It's a tough world he falls into - many do not believe in his music and talent like he
believes in himself. Tying an ultimate sense of self-worth through earthly values he
slowly spirals downward and eventually finds himself at the end of his rope;
musically, artistically, and spiritually bankrupt after giving it his all, he resigns
himself to failure. He faces a breakdown where he finally has a spiritual
breakthrough - by finding True Salvation through Jesus Christ - the true King - he
realizes there is a light to life and there is much more to life than earthly desires
such as fame and fortune. He is now truly "Headin' North".
Below is a synopsis of each song and how they relate to this story.
Track Listing:
(click on title for lyrics)
"Intro"
Looking for the sun to break out of the clouds...
"August 16, 1977"
Our story begins with our protagonist on the day Elvis Presley died. The impact of Elvis Presley's death is
profound on our protagonist on that fateful day. Heroes become larger than life, and when they die, the myth
takes over and they transcend into legendary, godlike status. Sometimes they become a substitute for the real
God.
"Blackwood Drive"
Our protagonist looks back on his childhood. Presently he is finding himself alone on the street of his childhood,
Blackwood Drive. All of his friends have left and now he finds himself alone. He finds himself empty, longing for
a simple past.
"Dirty Little Secret"
The Protagonist harbors a secret - music is his salvation and he does not feel complete unless he can succeed
with his dream of becoming "The King" (like Elvis Presley) through his first love, music. Self conscious and
somewhat ashamed, he is loathe to tell anyone about his secret dream. Deep down, not even consciously
realizing it, he knows from the start that there is only one salvation but the desire for fame, fortune, and yes, even
power, is too strong for our protagonist.
"Headin' North"
Looking for a vision to see...
Not finding fulfillment with his current lot in life and seeking salvation through earthly means, he decides to head
"North" (literally and, he hopes, spiritually) to fulfill his dream of finding his salvation through music. Not really
knowing what he needs or how he will go about finding his ultimate fulfillment, he takes a "wrong turn" and
keeps on going, hoping it turns out to be a right turn in the end.
"A Million Miles"
The protagonist gets a first-hand look at the broken dreams of stardom. He witnesses a broken soul at the end
of his rope, an anonymous person who had also headed north to attain his dreams, only to end up broken. The
protagonist can only pray for the soul of the one who had travelled a million miles only to end up broken. The
prayer is also directed towards himself.
"Walking Tall"
The task at hand proves to be difficult - on his own he attempts to become the next "King" but he finds himself a
pauper in the big scheme of things. He puts on a brave front, but the reality is this: he is not appreciated and his
aspirations to "be someone" through music is failing. He is not finding the spiritual fulfillment that he has been
seeking. He keeps getting knocked down, but he steels himself to get back up and try again. Alone and on his
own.
"One Last Shot"
Looking for a sign on the side of the road...
Eventually he finds himself penniless, empty, and a failure. Broken dreams and relationships litter his rear view
mirror as he sits at the bus stop contemplating a wasted life. In one last act of desperation he cries out for "one
last shot" to be someone, to find redemption and salvation through music.
"It's Coming Up"
He finally confronts his so-called failures. Through honest self-reflection he comes to the realization that it is not
in his own hands, but in God's hands. It is a difficult concept for him to accept - he grapples with this and goes
through much internal struggle.
"Light of Day"
Our protagonist finally accepts a Higher Power and, through surrender to Jesus - The True King - as his savior,
finds not only salvation, but also himself. He comes to realize in the end the affirmation of one's life is not
something that can be attained through earthly means. Finally, he is free to find true contentment in life and is
hopeful that something good awaits.
"Reprise"
Looking for a reason to be...
All songs written by Michael David Lewis,
Copyright © 2009 Michael David Lewis
All Rights Reserved
