February 13, 2005.
A shout was all he heard when Maroon 5 took the stage—a powerful song, although it was true that Adam Levine was handsome, he looked more like an explorer next to Billy's rock vibe, which seemed like an oil bubble about to burst. He was seen at the entrance with Green Day, smoking, then greeting the women, and finally acting so arrogantly as to say he came for the women… He had enough awards for a lifetime. It was almost like a clear memory showing the contrast between a good kid and a bad one.
However, entering the generation, Maroon 5 was full throttle—one of the most popular acts of the decade. It's a little embarrassing for some to see how no one can deny Billy's image, but Adam's gets forgotten; and when Adam steps out of line, he's rejected while Billy is celebrated. It's the foolishness of differences, the favorite… when the previous generation was rockers and they see someone who reminds them of their best friends, themselves, their brothers, idols, or simply the people they followed on the radio stations.
-You're on in five minutes, Billy, - the staff said, waiting for him to perform.
-Sure, just call the band, I'm on the line,- Billy replied, already picturing himself singing I'm Yours, a solo song he wrote for those who want to chase their dreams around the world.
While doing so, he took off his white vest, rolled up his sleeves, opened his shirt, fixed his hair, and let them do his makeup in places—he was determined to deliver a good performance.
The band was coming in. Apparently, only Spencer would support him, since he didn't need much more.
-So…-
-Just rhythm guitar. I'll bring an acoustic. When I stop playing, you do harmonies. I don't think we need anything else for now, - Billy said.
-That's because you mentioned not practicing. The label sent someone to test your instruments at the pace you usually use, and me too, in case you decided not to play guitar, - Spencer shrugged. Billy looked at the teacher—the great man who always seemed to help people, just as kind as the first time he met him.
-You know what? You play then… by the way, I'm about to sign a contract with an instrument brand. I can buy lots of instruments at low prices. Don't you have any universities that need upgrading? - Billy asked.
Spencer's eyes lit up.
-Actually, I run a school that needs a whole new set—from drums to cymbals. Maybe I could add some trumpets and renovate the floor if you're buying, - Spencer replied.
-Talk to Michael. He'll handle it. You've got my signature,- Billy said, knowing well how hard it was to make things happen when you had no time. Going to a store was risky and stressful, or even just doing something as ordinary as shopping meant people would crowd and try to steer him one way or another. Luckily, he had a brilliant idea: moving to Long Island, where there was a store for the rich, with prices ranging from $20 for a carton of milk to $100 for meat. Privacy and shopping calmed him down.
They both went up on stage. "Damn them all," Billy thought. Although it was already planned, he might win another Grammy. He drifted in thought while picking up an acoustic guitar.
-When a soul decides to fight for its dreams, it must do so because if it doesn't, it risks becoming trapped in self-pity—and that's when men spiral into hatred of themselves, disgust at their reflection, feeling worthless, a failure who doesn't meet their goals. And dying trying is just one of many sorrows in a man's life,- Billy said, looking out over the stage lights. Though it felt ridiculous, and he knew how hard it was for people to chase their dreams without help—the push to get up early, go to work, live in peace, be happy, debt-free—life is tough. So much melancholy that when he sang, it was deep; unintentionally, he moved people.
🎶🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶
Well, you done done me in, you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill, but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
Now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
And nothing's gonna stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn
To win some or learn some
But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours
Hmm (hey, hey)
🎶🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶
What else was left for people who didn't have it all in life? When money runs out, even having a partner is hard. Few stick around for the bad times—there are lucky ones, but those are rare—and when their hearts cry, that's when the song becomes very good.
-Damn, bastard,- said Billy Joe Armstrong from Green Day, who, along with many others, was nominated for a Grammy. But his performance was so good that he could only pity the people who wanted to compete.
…
Not far away, Alicia Keys watched gracefully as Billy snatched the gold for the second year in a row. His voice was like an angel's, notes clear as tomorrow, a rough edge that stood out—a vibrato that made her tremble and sigh inwardly. But what could they do when it was
🎶🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶
Well, open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and, damn, you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love, love
Listen to the music of the moment, people dance and sing
We're just one big family
And it's our God-forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved, loved
So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours
Do, do, do, do you, but do you, do you, do, do, but do you want to come on
Scooch on over closer, dear?
And I will nibble your ear
A-soo-da-ba-ba-ba-ba-bum
Whoa-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-whoa-whoa-whoa
Uh-huh, mmm-hmm
🎶🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶
It was precise. He put so much of his heart into it that the words were raindrops flooding the Grammys, the Staples Center. They moved everyone, big and small—it was a voice like The Carpenters', that when they sang could move any tyrant—a voice made to cry.
Billy gave people space to calm down and see that when someone wants to do something, they just do it—power, the power to consume oneself, even if through alcohol, facing failure, falling, or misery, like a good sip of water when you have nothing but it keeps you alive.
🎶🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶
I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and I laughed
I guess what I be saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanities and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue
But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours
🎶🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶
Before anything happened or ran out, he added a happy ending—for someone who does manage to fulfill their dreams—and then that energy dwindled.
🎶🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶
Well, open up your mind and see like me (I won't hesitate)
Open up your plans and, damn, you're free (no more, no more)
And look into your heart, and you'll find (it cannot wait)
That the sky is yours (I'm sure)
So please don't, please don't, please don't (no need to complicate)
There's no need to complicate (our time is short)
'Cause our time is short (this is)
This, oh this, this is our fate (our fate)
I'm yours
Bra-bop-mm, da-bap-bop-mm-day
Do-do-do-do, do-do-do-do, do-do-do, mm-mm-mm-mm (hey, hey)
Oh, I'm yours
Oh, I'm yours
Oh, whoa, baby, do you believe I'm yours?
You best believe, you best believe I'm yours, mmm-hmm
🎶🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶
Taking every trace of his being, he tore through his voice beautifully, without displeasing, each note carrying weight so that kids, women, adults, girls, men, elderly, grandmothers—anyone—could feel his words. It was almost a sudden and succinct dawn.
Who can do such good things? Who can refuse someone when only a breath remains? Who can say no when the guy delivers such a great performance?
…
-The ratings are very high,- whispered the team behind the cameras. Production saw the 35 million views jump to 42 million— all of North America was tuned in. When the boy sings, something stirs.
-He's really good,- said Hanna Wisdown, a 41-year-old woman with an impressive work record, watching success take off like an ejection hatch.
-Well, no wonder. He's the kid of America. The one who doesn't do interviews, travels wherever he wants, lives wherever he wants. He's a legend,- said her co-producer, watching history unfold.
...