Rocktober Day Nineteen: Sydney From A 727*

* It was originally 727 but was upgraded to a 747 at some point.

I love Sydney. It's no secret. Possibly I love it more than my own family. My city is part of my family. Part of the reason I could never consider living in any other city in the world (though I'm heavily in lust with London and prepared to be so with New York, I know that those relationships would only ever be shallow and superficial). It's the real thing with Sydney and me.

Like Anthony singing about Los Angeles in Under The Bridge I feel that Sydney is "my companion" and "she knows who I am". Sydney is me and I am Sydney.

Writing about The Whitlams yesterday made me think of great Australian songwriters and of course the wonderful Paul Kelly came to mind... and when I think of Paul Kelly I think of this song. It makes my heart soar and swell. There is nothing like flying home into Sydney, especially at night, especially when I've been away a while. I always get homesick for my city, no matter what fabulous place I've been, and I always get happy/emotional when I see her twinkling below me. This song is the feeling of Sydney.

Sydney From A 727 (747 in this great version from the Tamworth Country Music Festival)

Sydney shines such a beautiful light
And I can see Bondi through my window way off to the right
And the curling waves on a distant break
And the sleeping city just about to wake
Have you ever seen Sydney from a 727 at night?

Now the red roofs are catching the first rays of the morning sun
My eyes are full of sand from my midnight run
And the captain says belt up now we'll be touching down in ten
So I press my seat and I straighten up
I fold my tray and I stash my cup
As the red roofs are catching the first rays of the morning sun

Have you ever fallen for a girl with different coloured eyes?
And sent her letters full of lies
Have you ever longed to see the sun fall where it used to rise?
And quit your job on the spot
Bought that ticket yeah spent the lot
Have you ever fallen for a girl with different coloured eyes?

Have you ever seen Sydney from a 727 at night?
Have you ever seen Sydney from a 727 at night?
Have you ever seen Sydney from a 727 at night?
Me I've never seen Dallas from a DC9