The Way by Fastball - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

DJ_Foxx · 09-12-2006, 04:55 PM

I was watching a special last night on Vh1 Classics about the meanings of certain songs. I was shocked to learn that one of my favorite songs, The Way" by Fastball was in the mix. Even more surprising, I never knew it was based on an unsolved mystery. It was about this elderly couple who were on their way to a wedding but never made it there. In fact, they just disappeared. Some people had thought they had just rode off into the sunset just leaving all their cares behind, which where the inspiration for the song came about. Unfortunately, they found the couple in their wrecked car at the bottom of some canyon some time later

Anyway, here's the story:

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3701
This is based on the true story of Lela and Raymond Howard, an elderly couple from Salado, Texas who drove to a nearby family reunion and kept going. She had Alzheimer's disease and he was recovering from brain surgery. When they disappeared, a reporter from the Austin American-Statesman wrote a series of articles about the missing couple. Fastball bassist Tony Scalzo came up with the idea for the song after reading the articles (the band is from Austin). He says, "It's a romanticized take on what happened" - he "pictured them taking off to have fun, like they did when they first met." However, he found out after writing the song that the couple had died. They were found at the bottom of a canyon in Arkansas about a three-day drive from their destination. (thanks, Crystal - Springfield, MO)

nohwheregirl · 09-12-2006, 09:04 PM

Wow! Thanks for posting that, DJ. I moved to Austin right when that song hit the radio and (since Fastball was from Austin) the song was a huge hit there. I had no idea there was a real backstory. I had always just thought of the song as sort of darkly upbeat. How sad!

Zero · 10-07-2006, 01:37 AM

I love that song. It reminds me of my care free summer of 98. Darn. I miss it!

threejagsteve · 10-13-2006, 02:21 AM

Hello, all,

I only a couple of months ago first became aware of the song... The CD just arrived from Amazon a few days ago... lol

I'm nearly 52, so being 8 years out of date is excusable, I hope... :P

Been trying to find the original articles about the couple online, with no success...

Why? Because from what bits of the real story that I've been able to piece together, I had the insight that Raymond and Lela may have intended to go out together, a la "Thelma & Louise."

At least, I want it to have been like that............. : )

09-12-2006, 04:55 PM	#1
DJ_Foxx Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 08, 2006 Location: Mississippi Posts: 89	The Way by Fastball I was watching a special last night on Vh1 Classics about the meanings of certain songs. I was shocked to learn that one of my favorite songs, The Way" by Fastball was in the mix. Even more surprising, I never knew it was based on an unsolved mystery. It was about this elderly couple who were on their way to a wedding but never made it there. In fact, they just disappeared. Some people had thought they had just rode off into the sunset just leaving all their cares behind, which where the inspiration for the song came about. Unfortunately, they found the couple in their wrecked car at the bottom of some canyon some time later Anyway, here's the story: http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3701 This is based on the true story of Lela and Raymond Howard, an elderly couple from Salado, Texas who drove to a nearby family reunion and kept going. She had Alzheimer's disease and he was recovering from brain surgery. When they disappeared, a reporter from the Austin American-Statesman wrote a series of articles about the missing couple. Fastball bassist Tony Scalzo came up with the idea for the song after reading the articles (the band is from Austin). He says, "It's a romanticized take on what happened" - he "pictured them taking off to have fun, like they did when they first met." However, he found out after writing the song that the couple had died. They were found at the bottom of a canyon in Arkansas about a three-day drive from their destination. (thanks, Crystal - Springfield, MO)

10-07-2006, 01:37 AM	#3
Zero Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 15, 2003 Posts: 495	I love that song. It reminds me of my care free summer of 98. Darn. I miss it!
	__________________ "Are we ourselves, and do we really know?"

09-12-2006, 09:04 PM	#2
nohwheregirl THE Mystery Machine Senior Member Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Posts: 1,057	Wow! Thanks for posting that, DJ. I moved to Austin right when that song hit the radio and (since Fastball was from Austin) the song was a huge hit there. I had no idea there was a real backstory. I had always just thought of the song as sort of darkly upbeat. How sad!

10-13-2006, 02:21 AM	#4
threejagsteve Member First Time Poster Join Date: Oct 13, 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1	Hello, all, I only a couple of months ago first became aware of the song... The CD just arrived from Amazon a few days ago... lol I'm nearly 52, so being 8 years out of date is excusable, I hope... :P Been trying to find the original articles about the couple online, with no success... Why? Because from what bits of the real story that I've been able to piece together, I had the insight that Raymond and Lela may have intended to go out together, a la "Thelma & Louise." At least, I want it to have been like that............. : )