Meaning of “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas
Kansas’ “Dust in the Wind” is a philosophical track which focuses mainly on mortality and the vanity inherent therein. Or put differently, despite the strivings of men, eventually “all we do crumbles to the ground”, even if “we refuse to see”. And the titular phrase refers not only to the inevitable disintegration of things people construct but perhaps even more to the understanding that our bodies are literally reduced to dust once we pass away.
Furthermore, the song also alludes to the fact that in the grand scheme of things money is insignificant, as it “won’t another minute buy”. This basically means no matter how rich a person may be eventually he will meet the same fate as everyone else. So this track serves to remind us of the truth behind everything we do, which is that it is fleeting, only to one day be carried away like “dust in the wind”.
“Dust in the Wind” influenced by the Bible?
The song has a strong Biblical tone, and it has been theorized that “Dust in the Wind” has been influenced by the books of Genesis and more specifically Ecclesiastes. Interestingly enough, Kansas’ Kerry Livgren himself became an evangelical Christian a few years after the song was written.
That said, the song’s title was actually derived from a book of Native American poetry which Livgren was reading at the time he penned this song.
Birth of this Song
Kerry Livgren came up with this song while practicing on his guitar. He didn’t think much of it but was compelled to present it to the rest of the band by his wife. He was reluctant because it deviated from their usual sound (being the first acoustic song Kansas ever recorded). But surprisingly the guys were feeling it. And even after they decided to record it, Livgren argued that they should not, but the rest of the group prevailed.
Production
The track was produced by American record producer and mixer Jeff Glixman. Kansas and Glixman regularly worked together during the 1970s.
Success on the Charts
Eventually “Dust in the Wind” went on to become arguably Kansas’ most-successful single. For instance, it is their only track to break the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 6. It was eventually certified platinum by the RIAA. It also charted in a few other countries, most notably Canada where it climbed to number and attained a gold certification.
Release Date of “Dust in the Wind”
This track first appeared on Kansas’ Point of Know Return album of 1977. This album was Kansas’ fifth studio album. Later a live version was featured on Kansas’ Two for the Show album of 1978. A symphonic version of this classic also appeared on the band’s Always Never the Same album which came out in 1998.
How could this guy, Livgren, with that great philosophical insight of his, as evident in his Dust in the Wind, believe in the existence of divinity, and then to become religious. I find it disappointing as it shows that his essence isn’t as elevated as I once thought. Really my fault for deciding something with insufficient facts.
Guillermo, “his essence” Livgren found, was not as important as “Who” he found. I believe totally in God’s existence and all that it entails. Man is given much philosophical insight … and faith and guidance only gets better. I hope one day you will find what he did – it will change your life forever.
I agree, Guillermo. Plus, if this was divinely inspired and such an important message, why didn’t god let it get to #1 on the charts? Why only #6?
It was only meant for people who wanted to hear the truth about life vanity is nothing, The book of Ecclesiastes explains
There is more to that book than you think. Its funny how nihilism is seen as some sort of “insight” its not.
Love the music. I don’t know if the First Immigrants view was the same as the Bibles. Do the DJs influence a song to the Billboard Top Ten. Was trying to find a more positive outlook that people could be influenced by. If we become born by the Holy Spirit, couldn’t we turn out to mean something?
Your meaning will become ever clearer when you\we pass. Trinity has many mysteries. Some are revealed now, some later. The true peace comes in knowing that we don’t have to know all of them, just the ones for today. Believe Him, trust Him and you will hear Him clearer and clearer as each day passes. It our choice as to whether or not we listen.
Jivette Danyelle– reconsidering my above comment, God’s universe is not only vast, but it’s been, it’s happening, and goes on a long time. I’m depressed that the palaces JESUS is making for the born again don’t seem snuggly and cozy. I heard once on the radio that Kerry Livgren’s Dad was a pastor. What would he say about that? I guess when your not feeling GOD’s company and/or grieving it is easy to feel as lost as a speck of dust in dust bowl Kansas and depression. I wonder if any of my dreams will be what GOD wants and happen and if not what life will come out. Dust in the wind am I just dust in the wind?
I particularly like the violin in the song. Interested in where the First Immigrant or Native American belief that they are only dust in the wind vs. crossed over to eternal life comes from. Glad Kerry’s wife and the other band members brought this acoustic, softer sound, as well as the progressive rock to Kansas. Would be nice to hear a mixture from Kansas. jivette Danyelle
Jivette Danyelle–Jessica,. Since 1977, many people have liked this song. I wonder why it spoke to or attracted them. What goes through their minds when they hear this song?
Excellent question – Are they searching for Him, I think so…
The book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible speaks of it man’s life is vanity somebody else will come in and replace that person so it means nothing
Very interesting opinions ya’ll. 🙂 Humanity being condemned to the dust due to sin, (disobedience to our Creator), is a Biblical message in the book of Genesis. (Also known as one of the books of Moses). However the Bible, aka, God’s word, unlike the hopelessness in the lyrics, is filled with inspirational words and messages of hope for the fallen state of humanity. Mary, the Lord’s Virgin Mother, is even prefigured in the book of Genesis. Jesus Christ Himself and His resurrection is the ultimate message of hope for fallen mankind, by essentially, rising from the dust of death, with a recognizable face and body that could no longer be defeated by death, because God Himself, was found to have united His nature with humanity, in Jesus, the Christ and thereby empowering any human being to be saved, from the fallen-ness of humanity, through and by the infinite power of Jesus, The Christ, the anointed Saviour of the world.
Not only Livgren but also Hope received Jesus’ forgiveness! Youtube Livgren Hope 700 Club part 1
Yes, this body is a earthly body (dust to dust) but you will receive that heavenly body if you follow God’s word and believe in Him. What do you have to lose, your soul !
Ahh…life is just a fart on the winds of time.
Enigmatic, philosophical, true. Too many folks think they are immortal…….we all die and return to the Earth.
A beautiful, enigmatic song. Makes you ponder your place in the scheme of things….Our bodies fade into dust and we are not remembered by Society. Money is nothing, even though we need it to survive in our society; it won’t purchase “another minute”.
More than 40 years ago this song made me think about life as it really is. It never left me even now as I’ve outlived my life expectancy.
Indeed this is good music.The lyrics certainly concur with what is emphasised in the book of Ecclesiastes of the Bible. Ultimately all material wealth a person accumalates is “Dust in the wind”. However the song does not take the whole Bible into account. Longfellow in his famous poem ‘Psalm of life’ says “Dust thou art to dust returnest was not spoken of the soul”. Christ for this precise reason emphasised in Matthew 6 :19-21 to lay up your treasures in heaven. The words of the song as such cannot be appllied when spirituality is taken into consideration.
I remember this song as the subject to my French Philosophy Class at Rutgers in 1979 and compared it to Rene Descartes ideas about humanity actually being nothing more than “dust in the wind” – in modern translation. If I recall, I got an A+ on that paper and I was struck by the fact that a Rock band had that sort of wisdom – and often wondered if anyone else understood what they were actually saying (and please don’t give me Sh&t and tell me I’m being vain or elitist – I was just a pretty smart kid)