The song reflects upon the emotions that surfaced after the Challenger space shuttle exploded 73 seconds into its flight in 1986. The most poignant reference is to watching the falling debris following the tragedy that resulted in seven deaths:
The snow falls down like stars going by
Like the dreams of the seven that fell from the sky
”Challenger” is a single from “Thresholds,” the 2019 album from Mike Edel. He is a Canadian-born Indie Folk artist. He is originally from Linden, Alberta, but identifies Seattle as his current location. Mike Edel explains the motivation for the single:
Challenger presents a moment in a time when the world felt out of control, and left us with a collective sense of confusion and disorientation. These days, with a higher sense of frequency, I find myself in these moments. I find myself in these moments daily, in fact. Technology fragments us, progress numbs us, and our leaders have failed us.
If it’s true, as Kierkegaard once wrote, that “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards,” then how do we live forward when our innocence and confidence is lost? What is the future, if this is now?
The credits for “Challenger” list Mike Edel (vocals, guitar), Sjoerd Meyer (guitar), Jason Cook (drums), Taylor Swindells (keys), and Chris Walla (bass). The song was produced by Chris Walla.
“Challenger” by Mike Edel
Website: https://mikeedel.com/
Lyrics of “Challenger” by Mike Edel
From the passenger's seat I heard the story of the sky
Of Challenger and reasons why
It didn’t make it, it didn’t fly
And of the astronauts who burned in the fire
From the car to the classroom with a knot in my chest
The wavering voice recounts the ascent
The snow falls down like stars going by
Like the dreams of the seven that fell from the sky
Nothing is painless
When there’s so much to lose
How do I take this
How do I carry the news
What is the future
If this is now
Watching the brightest
Fall to the ground
Should we move on to Discovery, and try this again
The race with the Russians is on Reagan’s breath
Is the face of God worth trying to understand?
Taking one small step and leaving his hand
Nothing is painless
When there’s so much to lose
How do I take this
How do I carry the news
What is the future
If this is now
Watching the brightest
Fall to the ground
Upward and onward
Or stuck in one place
Are we moving forward?
Or should we have stayed?
Or should we have stayed?
Nothing is painless
When there’s so much to lose
How do I take this
How do I carry the news
What is the future
If this is now
Watching the brightest
Fall to the ground
[Repeat]
