I heard “Go All The Way” on the oldies station last week in the car and it took me back to when I first heard the song many years ago. I was sixteen and I remember thinking, WOW, who is that singing and who wrote those lyrics? I was blown away with that voice! Of course, now we all know that it was Eric Carmen. I decided to google him to see how his life was going since I hadn’t heard anything about him in years. I was hoping to read that he was living a happy life. I was surprised to learn that he had passed away last March. I don’t know how I missed that, so I searched some more and read various articles, some of which made me feel terrible for him. I saw a few recent photos and videos of him and was shocked to see that he didn’t look like that handsome young man with those pensive brown eyes and long, curly, brown hair that I loved. I understand that he was a gentleman of 74 but I did not recognize him.
I haven’t written anything in a while but his death compelled me to write a few sentences as a tribute, a thank you, and a good-bye to someone I had never met but who made such a lasting impression on me. I will never forget his voice, ever. It is embedded in my brain as one of the sweetest, perfect voices I have ever heard. Watching him sitting at his piano singing, “Never Going To Fall In Love Again” made me want to give him a big hug. I’m sure a lot of women my age who watched it live on tv would agree. Watching the old videos on YouTube made me want to cry. What a terrible loss! Some artists write stupid lyrics that mean nothing. I believe that he felt the words he was singing, that he actually experienced them. That is why I will always be a fan. One of my other favorites is, “All By Myself.” How can one man possess so much talent, and how hard must it have been for him to suppress it?
Another reason I decided to write something about him was because he struggled with depression, and alcohol and cocaine abuse. As someone who has experienced depression (not the alcohol and cocaine), I know how debilitating it can be. I often wonder if it’s genetics, personal trauma or both? I don’t know because I’m not a doctor, but something deep inside us just can’t handle certain things that have happened in our lives and no matter how much anyone tries to help and cheer us up, that underlying thing that is ruining our life just won’t let go. It’s always there even if you’ve worked through it, it’s right there in the front of your brain and it’s difficult to turn off. It’s easy for someone to tell you to just get over it especially if they’ve never experienced depression themselves. You never get over it, but you can work through it and turn your life around. Sometimes we intentionally hurt ourselves and unintentionally hurt the people we love the most. When the pain becomes too much to bear, some turn to alcohol or drugs. Both are terrible addictions that change our personalities for the worst and push our loved ones away. It appears that he did work through it all, hopefully with someone who really knew and loved him so I’m grateful knowing that.
I am a little depressed about his death and so very sad knowing that he’s gone, and knowing what he must have gone through. From reaching the top and then falling to the bottom breaks my heart. It is also upsetting that a certain video from 18 years ago is still up for “educational purposes.” Why? Some people get great joy from kicking another person when they’re down.
I guess when you grow up listening to an artist that you really enjoyed, you feel like you know them, even though you really don’t. There is also the personal aspect of realizing that that part of your life, your youth, is gone, and you can never get it back. I don’t know how Mr. Carmen died and it doesn’t matter. I just hope that this man who so beautifully sang about wanting real love and happiness in his life, finally found it. I choose to remember him as that sexy, gorgeous, gifted, young guy with that distinctive, beautiful, perfect voice, soulful brown eyes and that long, brown, curly hair. No, I never knew him personally but to me, he will always be that shy, sensitive, sweet, kind, soft spoken guy who created great music that will stand the test of time. To his family, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Rest In Peace Eric Carmen and Thank You!
Go All The Way
Eric Carmen and the Raspberries – Go All the Way (live)
Never Going To Fall In Love Again
Eric Carmen “Never Gonna Fall In Love Again” Live American Bandstand (1/31/76)
All By Myself