Mrs. X was asked where she got the idea for “80 Miles Away.”
“This was a very important song for my creative growth. Like all the best songs, ’80 Miles Away’ is inspired by real emotions and familiar people and their circumstances. Since this is one of those songs, I had best not say any more, except it’s about a woman who wakes up in bed, alone, with a headache.”
Wake up with heavy headache – oh is it really morning?
Just wanna hug you, honey, but you are not in sight.
Oh, is it really true, cause all in me is burning,
Starting to realize what happened in the night.
A circumstance that sounds all too familiar. A tale of woe told in song since 1928, when the legendary Bessie Smith sang the Grammy winning “Empty Bed Blues.” “Woke up this morning with an awful aching head.”
In “80 Miles Away,” Mrs. X’s “pop à la carte” version of that same old story, a young woman wakes up with an awful aching head. She rolls over to kiss her boyfriend, but he’s not there. And then, the memories of the night before begin to burst through her hungover mind.
They went to the party together because they were a couple. The party was boring. They were bored and drifted away from each other. “You look like you could use a double Bacardi,” the stranger said as he smiled at the woman and handed her a drink. She looked him in the eyes, smiled and took the drink.
Why did I kiss that guy, oh I`m so sorry honey.
He was so cute and smart, he took me by the hand.
Why did I leave you alone at that boring party,
How could I leave with him, forgive me if you can.
The woman jolts up, in spite of the pounding in her head. “OMG! What have I done?” she thinks. “What can I do?”
”I know I don’t deserve it, but please take me back,” the woman asks her man. “I made a mistake. I was bored. I love only you. I’m sorry I hurt you. I will exile him far, far away from me,” she promises.
Hey I ́m so sorry, honey, take me back again.
Hey, I ́m so worried, please, allow me to explain.
It was only one kiss, But it can ́t be undone.
Should I stay, should I run?
I’ll tell him to stay 80 miles away… To stay away from me… Oh, how could it be?
Since, the woman knows it is always best to admit one’s mistakes, apologize and ask for forgiveness, that is exactly what she does. It was just one kiss, but she must follow her creed.
Why did I kiss that guy, oh, I ́m so sorry honey.
Can I forget his eyes, can I forget his smile?
Darling, I swear to behave, our life can be so funny,
And I’ll meet him today… to send him to exile!
Wow! A lot of heavy emotions flying around, doubt, fear, jealousy, oh right, and true love and ultimately forgiveness.
Sometimes to lose control is such the right decision
Sometimes you have to release, to have it back again.
Sure to slide on the life is just a simple vision,
But if you can ́t change things, is better to unchain.
Now, this energetic, vivacious, “pop à la carte” song takes an intrepid turn and fuses with rap. Jamaican rapper M.Dwizzy sings the role of the betrayed boyfriend. His uniquely powerful, understanding and at times amusing style brings Mrs. X’s lyrics to life.
Hey girl what’s goin’ on
D’you know whom d’you belong
You’d left me all alone
You did me wrong
You’ve drunk too much Bacardi
And left me at that party
Take your Bugatti
Come back my hottie
I’ll tell him to stay 80 miles away… To stay away from me… Oh how could it be?
“Another inspiration for this song came from my passion for ancient Greek writings, particularly those of Epicurus,” explained Mrs. X. The Epicurean philosophy is based on achieving a happy, tranquil life without fear or pain. The moral issues of good and bad, pleasure and pain are examined. That which is good is what causes pleasure. That which is bad is what causes pain.
“The line ‘But, if you can’t change things, is better to unchain,’ is definitely Epicurean. Live and let live. Just a little food for thought,” she said.
And, who is the woman in the song? Who is the woman behind the mask? Are they one and the same? Mrs. X isn’t talking.