Watching My Life Go By
Michael Hedges · 1985
40 min · 10 tracks · new age music
Intricate fingerpicking and ethereal vocals weave together to create a reflective exploration of life's fleeting moments.
Top tracks — play these first
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Face Yourself — The opening track showcases Hedges' intricate fingerstyle technique and sets the tone for introspection that permeates the album.
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I'm Coming Home — This song highlights Hedges' lyrical depth and emotional resonance, encapsulating themes of longing and personal reflection.
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Watching My Life Go By — The title track poignantly captures the essence of the album's exploration of time and self-awareness through lush melodies.
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All Along the Watchtower — Hedges' interpretation of this classic Dylan song reveals his ability to infuse familiar material with fresh creativity and technical prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Hedges' debut showcases his virtuosic guitar and unique sound, blending folk and contemporary influences.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate ethereal vocal harmonies that complement the guitar work, creating a layered sound.
- The tempo varies significantly across tracks, with some maintaining a steady pace while others shift to more reflective, slower moments.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- reflective and introspective moments
- mid-tempo flowing experiences
- intricate acoustic detail appreciation
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1985, Watching My Life Go By is Michael Hedges' debut album, marking his entry into the new acoustic music scene. At this time, Hedges was still developing his signature style, characterized by innovative guitar techniques and introspective songwriting that would set him apart in the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leo Kottke· Andy McKee· Pierre Bensusan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Face Yourself 4:43
- 2 I'm Coming Home 4:14
- 3 Woman of the World 4:19
- 4 Watching My Life Go By 3:18
- 5 I Want You 4:00
- 6 The Streamlined Man 3:46
- 7 Out on the Parkway 2:58
- 8 Holiday 5:15
- 9 All Along the Watchtower 3:04
- 10 Running Blind 4:55
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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