Bob Lind's Message Board

The Circles album contains the track "Theme from The Music Box".

Can Bob, or anyone, please enlighten me: what is, or was, The Music Box? A movie? A TV series? or a project that never saw the light of day?

I had always figured that Theme from the Music Box referred to the music that came from wind-up or mechanical music boxes. Maybe that's because around the time the song came out, I had a pink jewellry box that, when you lifted the lid, had a ballerina circling to some nameless tinkly music.

Good question, maybe I've been wrong all these years.

Susanne, BobNumbers, you're both partially right. It derives its name from both a movie (or would-be movie) AND the music box sound.
At one time, back when I was taking lots and lots of uppers, I decided to write a film. I was going to script it, star in it, score it and write the theme.
The name of the movie was going to be THE MUSIC BOX.
I got as far as writing the theme when the pills gave out and I recognized the project for what it was -- a meglomanical delusion of grandeur.
But I do like the song. And Susanne, yeah, I deliberately set the capo high and play down the neck, with classical-style finger picking to give it that tinkling music box sound.
BTW BobNumbers "Theme From The Music Box" is also on the new CD (Live at the Luna Star) -- paired down and unplugged. The live cut is minus Jimmy Bond's beautiful, lush arrangement. But it's simpler and I think I sing it better than on the CIRCLES album. It's easier to feel the lyric the new way I think.
Any other opinions from people who have heard both versions?

While I'm the first to admit that I'm a fool for lush arrangements, in the case of Theme from The Music Box, I prefer the intimate sound on the Live at The Luna Star CD.

Love both versions, but if I could only listen to one from now til eternity, it'd have to be the Luna Star......the intimacy is just stunningly great.

Love the Theme from The Music Box and the lush arrangement on Circles.
Can anyone post the lyrics ?

Here you go:

THEME FROM THE MUSIC BOX
Words and Music by Bob Lind

They don't go by for nothing, these moments.
They come to touch and carry you.
They come like thieves or saviors
To all our streams and avenues.

They won't remain forever, these feelings.
They cross our lives like rainbows.
And we are only stepping stones
For all our joys and sorrows.

And still, we try, so sadly
To catch the moments in our hands
And beg to bend eternity
Until we see and understand.

It won't pretend to need you, this world.
And it will not hold you long.
Let it make you beautiful.
Let it sing you like a song.

Thank you so much Jill, for posting the lyrics. This song inspires me

...the more I listen to this song, the more I like it...

...and (yes, me again...)...remember John Phillips's "John's Music Box" (The Mamas And The Papas)


...there's some similarity in the feeling that these two writers/performers are trying to get across, I believe...