"How to Save a Life"
I found myself listening to this song quite a bit over the last few weeks and felt that something about it felt very right for a video of The 4400. I don't know why I thought that, since the song is about a mentor who is unable to save a drug-addicted teenage boy, but images of the series were coming into my head when I heard the music. Originally, I was going to use it for a general overview, since the mood of it was appropriate, even if the lyrics didn't quite fit.
Then it suddenly came to mind that, despite my general lack of interest in AU videos, this would be the perfect track for a massive manipulation of Kyle's storyline plus promicin as some sort of street drug. I thought about it for a week or so and in the end - obviously - decided to go with the immensely AU approach, which flawlessly fits both the lyrics and mood...and serves as a bit of a "fuck you" to a couple brats who had the nerve to imply that I only avoid AU and sfx because I don't know how. An all-in-one solution that I'm very happy with.
Step one, you say we need to talk
He walks, you say "sit down, it's just a talk"
He smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through
Some sort of window to your right
As he goes left and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame
You begin to wonder why you came
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Let him know that you know best
Cause after all you do know best
Try to slip past his defense
Without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you've told him all along
And pray to God he hears you
And pray to God he hears you
[Chorus]
As he begins to raise his voice
You lower yours and grant him one last choice
Drive until you lose the road
Or break with the ones you've followed
He will do one of two things
He will admit to everything
Or he'll say he's just not the same
And you'll begin to wonder why you came
[Chorus]