Reflections on the frailty of being are as old as the world. It is enough to remember the Bible: “In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground from which you were taken, for dust you are and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). Thousands of volumes have been written on this subject, but no philosopher has been able to express himself more clearly.
The ephemeral nature of human existence is often touched upon by musicians as well. One of the most striking such compositions was Dust in the Wind (“Ashes in the wind”) by the American rock band Kansas.
History and meaning of the song Dust in the Wind – Kansas
It was composed entirely by Kerry Livgren, founder and guitarist of Kansas. First came the music. He wrote it as an exercise to develop guitar technique. Livgren was persuaded to make a song out of it by his wife, who really liked the melody.
What is the song Dust in the Wind about? The text originated from a collection of American Indian poetry in which Kerry came across the line “because we are but dust in the wind.” This phrase became the key to the song.
Dust in the Wind is performed to the accompaniment of two guitars. It became the first acoustic composition of Kansas and was significantly different from what the group had released before. For this reason, Livgren at first did not want to show the new song to his colleagues, and then was against its inclusion in the Point of Know Return album, but the comrades considered it a future hit and convinced Kerry.
As it turned out, not in vain. Dust in the Wind was very warmly received by Kansas fans and climbed to number six on the Billboard Hot 100, and the single was certified gold. Her success was facilitated by the fact that she was accepted by radio stations of various formats: rock, country, “contemporary music for adults” and others.
Clip Dust in the Wind – Kansas
Let’s watch online the official music video for Dust in the Wind by Kansas.
Cover versions of Dust in the Wind
The composition was performed by many famous bands, including the Scorpions.
The song can be heard in many feature films, TV series, computer games, commercials and cartoons.
Interesting Facts
- A live version of the song is also included on Two for the Show, and a symphonic version can be heard on Always Never the Same.
- The guitars to which Dust in the Wind is sung to the accompaniment are tuned differently: one is in the classical tuning, the other is in the so-called Nashville.
Dust in the Wind Lyrics
I close my eyes
Only for a moment, and the moment’s gone
All my dreams
Pass before my eyes, a curiosity
dust in the wind,
All they are is dust in the wind
same old song,
Just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do, crumbles to the ground,
Though we refuse to see
dust in the wind,
All we are is dust in the wind
Don’t hang on
Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away
All your money won’t another minute buy
dust in the wind,
All we are is dust in the wind
Kansas Dust in the Wind Lyrics
I close my eyes
Just for a moment, and that moment is gone
All my dreams
Pass before my eyes – strange
Ashes in the wind
They’re just dust in the wind
Same old song
Just a drop of water in an endless sea
Everything we do turns to dust
Though we refuse to understand
Ashes in the wind
We are just dust in the wind
Don’t persist
Nothing lasts forever – only earth and sky
Everything is slipping away
All your money can’t buy you a minute
Ashes in the wind
We are just dust in the wind
Song quote
I was just talking about my personal search for something.
Kerry Livgren