Search by Title

A	B	C	D	E	F	G
H	I	J	K	L	M	N
O	P	Q	R	S	T	U
V	W	X	Y	Z	#

Browse Categories Random Songfact Random Category Add to Songfacts Take the Quiz SongFAQ Get the Newsletter E-Mail Us Message Boards Full Interviews Lyrical Pursuit Song Fallacies

Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

Kansas guitarist Kerry Livgren wrote this after reading a book of Native American poetry. The line that caught his attention was "For All We Are Is Dust In The Wind."

This is about the true value of material things and success. Livgren was doing very well with Kansas, but started thinking about how he would eventually die just like everyone else.

Livgren was under pressure to write a follow-up to the group's hit, "Carry on Wayward Son." While playing his acoustic guitar exercises, his wife suggested that putting lyrics to the patterns would yield his hit song. They are still married.

The slow, acoustic sound was not typical of Kansas, who's previous singles included "Carry On My Wayward Son" and "Point of Know Return."

The band was almost done with the album when Livgren played this for them. He didn't want to use it, because it was not typical of their sound, but the band insisted they record it, and it became their biggest hit.

This was the second big hit for Kansas, following "Carry On My Wayward Son." With 2 hits under their belt, they were able to headline arena-rock shows into the late '70s.

In the movie Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure, Bill and Ted go back in time and share philosophy with Socrates, who is impressed when Ted, played by Keanu Reeves philosophizes "All we are is dust in the wind."

Livgren: "I was only expressing my own searching for something."

This was the first acoustic Kansas song.

This crossed over to different formats. Rock, Country, and Adult Contemporary radio stations all played this.

This song was featured in the comedy Old School starring Will Ferrell and Luke Wilson. Frank (played by Ferrell) sings it at Blue's funeral to commemorate the death of the 90 year old fraternity member. (thanks, Aislinn - Hamilton, Canada)

This song has one more verse that was written but never recorded.

The song has been covered and featured in thousands of artistic and commercial entities. It was used in an episode of The Simpsons, and baseball player Bernie Williams played a jazz guitar version of this on an album he released in 2003 called The Journey Within.

Comments:

Sad but True!
- joel, Haifa, Israel

the scorpions version is pretty good.but the original is better
- greg, slidell, LA

Chester Bennington (Lead singer of Linkin Park)also did a live cover of this song with acoustic guitar. I have it on my iTunes. It was then that I realised what an amazing voice he has.
- Kim, Exeter, United Kingdom

Always have loved this song, maybe what is said in the lyrics are after we die, we are still around like dust in the wind, sand on a beach, rainbow in the sky,and all that is beautiful that lives on.in the hearts and minds of others. The violins really add to the song. Makes it all the more beautiful.
- JoAnn, Portsmouth, VA

I'm a Buddhist. Not only I love this song but I also respect it.
- Tanit, Bangkok, Thailand

This song is so depressing. It makes me want to slit my wrists. I have to change the channel everytime I hear it. It makes me feel like we are just a waste of time on earth.
- Charlotte, Houston, TX

A truly beautiful song. I love the lyrics.
- Lilly, Chicago, IL

To MICHAEL from TORONTO, ALBERTA: Toronto is the capital of Ontario.
- bob, owen sound, ON

It was used in an episode of "Family Guy" on 2009-03-15. Peter is shown on a montage walk through Quihog (sp?) and the song is playing.
- Sean, Chicago, IL

I remember when it first came out and we loved the music alone without lyrics. I can't speak for others but my little group of 70's generation kids just cranked up the radio and enjoyed. If we had to have a discussion about a song; the station got changed. But what we learned from all that was basically this- depressing or not-it really is a fact of life- so what are you going to do with yours? It's all a matter of personal perspective. And yes, Bryan there are lots of songs that are more depressing than "Dust in the Wind". See there, yet another opinion....
- Doris, Corbin, KY

As Haitian, it's one of the most famous songs I ever heard in my life. I was only nineteen when I heard it for the first time on Voice Of The America. It's very spiritual. It's such a soft song. Thinking on this song means simplifying life by thinking on his own destiny. François, Cap-Haïtien, Haïti (WI)
- François, Cap-Haïtien, Haiti

Livgren's acoustic work is perfect, and I love the little pauses he inserts. Great bit of faint vocalizing at the very end, too.
- oldpink, New Castle, IN

Good song. Was used in an episode of My Name Is Earl.
- JE, Wheelerville, PA

The song is about when we pause to consider our lives accomplishments and contributions. And how our life, so seems like a blink of an eye and its about to be over. Yes, live your life with vigor and gusto...possibly a little humility will help. All the money in the world will not change the inevitable that's waiting for all of us. May Kansas music and their spirit live on forever and fill the hearts of generations to come, with Hope, Peace and respect for our fellow humans.
- Charles, Southaven, MS

This song shows how short life really is and how we should embrace what we have while it lasts. Beautiful song.
- James, Paterson, NJ

Youre my boy, Blue...
- Clubber Lange, Ocean Gate, NJ

To MICHAEL from TORONTO, ALBERTA: Since you seem to be making a pretty outrageous claim that Kansas and Kerry Livgren plagiarized or stole this song from your wife, it might be helpful to the other readers if you’d explain just how a pretty accomplished songwriter like Livgren happened to acquire the song’s lyrics and melody from your wife. Did the New York songwriting company sell it to Livgren? I happen to think you’re full of s--t, but I’d love for you to prove me and other Kansas fans wrong because I value truth more than I do the band Kansas. So please explain to all of us just how the song was stolen and update us on the status of the lawsuit you and your wife must have filed after hearing the song on the radio. It would also be helpful if you could limit your explanation to only facts that can be substantiated. For example, tell us which courthouse in the US or Canada where we might find the public record about your song piracy lawsuit. Name the New York songwriting company and the individuals to which you turned over her song. This website claims there was a 4th verse to the song that never made it to the final version of the song released on Point Of Know Return. Since you claim your wife wrote the song, why don’t you share that 4th verse with all of us readers so we can compare it to the verse that’s in the archives of Kirshner Records somewhere?
- JFV, Philadelphia, PA

You mean its not about Vietnam? -Dustin Nguyen, come on nguyen is a very common surname in Vietnam. Then you've got "same old song"-could that be the drums of war? "just to drop a quarter in an embassy."- Obviously not enough $$ spent on diplomacy. Then there is "nothing last forever but the earth and sky"- the constant battle for ground position and air superiority. "And all your money won't another minute buy"- you could be at an overseas payphone and never have enough small coins when you call home...... What years were the Dustbowl?
- mike, seattle, WA

I wish some day the world will finally realize Kansas did not write the song " Dust in the Wind", Katherine Kowal deserves full credit.
- MICHAEL, TORONTO, AL

We were created out of dust and into it we shall return, but do we think that we were created in play ( without any purpose ) ?!!!, do we think that we will be left neglected ( without being ordered or prevented. without being punished or rewarded ) ?!!!, our whole duty is to worship our Almighty Lord alone, the Creater of earth and skies, to ask for help from him alone, to follow his straight way the way of Adam, Noah, Ibraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
- Ali, Tripoli, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

The best way to really appreciate "Dust In the Wind" by Kansas is to pick up and dust the old Bible that is sitting on your shelf, table or tucked away somewhere, and read the book of Ecclesiastes. Let me give you a little snippet of both the song and the Bible to make my point: "Now don't hang on. Nothin' lasts forever but the earth and sky." "Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever." Ecclesiastes 1:4 (New International Version [NIV] ) What a wonderful way to come to one of the books of the Bible with it already summed up in a song, though may be unintentional by Kerry Livgren. But here is part of the closing dialog in the same book of the Bible in the near end: "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments,for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV) Now I understand that not everybody thinks and sees things the way I do. It is just basically "my opinion" among the many others that is on my screen now. I respect each and every one even if I don't like a few here or there. But for those who are truly searching for the best way to understand the song "Dust In the Wind," This is the ONLY thing I know of to really get the whole heart of this beautiful work of art. Thought provoking.
- Michael, Shirley, IN

Covered beautifully by William Joseph on his first album "Within"
- Katrina, Pullman, WA

I think the lyric, "All your money won't another minute buy," is a slap at modern materialistic tendencies. You can amass all the riches you want, but in the end, you're going to die just like everyone else and you can't buy your way out of it. When you're dead, how is your fortune going to help you out?
- Bryan, Atlanta, GA

I can relate to this song. Is it pessimistic, maybe. At the age of 8, I had my first brain surgery, I've had between 80 and 90 int the past 14 years. I might be depressed(who can blame me), but it's always been one of my favorites.
- Michael, Miami, FL

Even Kerry Livgren admitted this song is terrible, but he said he couldn't hate it, because it's been played so much.....ya gotta love royalties, eh Kerry??
- Benny, Chattanooga, TN

The songs originality come from my wife, a Toronto born and raise 8th level Royal Conservatory pianist,who was very angry when she composed this song, she recovering from the near death experience, near to life experience of loosing all her faculties: passions such as the art of dance, singing, acting and writting songs. Kathy, felt she lost that and more I know to this day its hurts her and especially me that Kansas took her song away from her and made it sound it was theirs', but if it wasn't for her Kansas would never had this song to call their own.
- MICHAEL, TORONTO, AL

The song was written of course by a pessimistic person because she was angry at the world when she wrote this song, he life of being very sucess driven to suceed would have to take a sharp turn back, she was 17 years of age when MS hit her like a brick.
- MICHAEL, TORONTO, AL

I think this song is written from the point of view of a pessimistic person, reminding people that they are just dust.
- Kevin, Springfield, PA

This song is one of my best songs..Also the song was sang by SCORPIONS..Enjoy it guys..
- Ahmad, Jordan, United States

Kansas are famous for songs with very complicated and articulate lyrics. This really is one of the more simple. If you have the chance to check out the lyrics of "Icarus- borne on wings of steel"; "the wall"; "hopelessly human" or "closet Chronicles" you will appreciate the work that has gone into each song. brilliant lyricist.
- ken, Tinonee, Australia

Actually, the line "all your money wont another minute buy" i think, truly means that when it is ur time to go, like ur death, u cannot "but your way out" u will die, but if you don't happen to die at the moment of all lost hope, that means that isn't ur time to die,that's what i believe it means but ya
- Raphael, Salt Lake City, UT

The line "All your money won't another minute buy" isn't really true. Research has shown that rich people live longer than poor people
- Jeff, Columbia, MD

They are popular in Asia. I have this track, love it, so original. I can't recollect this being aired here in UK. Any more Kansas tracks please?
- Annie, London

I would like to think that the lyricist has read the Shelley poem, Ozymandias. Check it out.
- Melody, Fort Lauderdale, FL

In answer to the question, "I just want to know how it made its way into a car commercial." As with many artists, Kerry is not required to be consulted before the use of his songs. He found out about it when he saw the billboard in Times Square. If anyone finds the song depressing, check out "The Navigator", his other acoustic guitar song from his solo release, Collector's Sedition Volume I. This song can be seen as "answering" Dust in the Wind. Bill Evans (with Kerry Livgren)
- Bill, New York, NY

Wow...amazing. Noone said this song was about drugs...THANK YOU!!
- Brandon, Peoria, IL

This song's got a lot of sentimental value to me. I first heard it when i was leaving jr.high and moving on to high school, and everything was changing. It reminds me of how time never slows down and you really have to cherish every minute it before it is gone, because you can only have a moment once. This is probably my favorite song, and it's also a really good song to sing along to when you're feeling sad.
- Kimberley, Frazier Park, CA

This song was on an episode of The Simpsons when Bart realizes he is not a little kid any more.This song plays when he destroys all his toys from his childhood.
- Justin, Ecorse, MI

In an interview with Kerry Livgren a while back, He said when he wrote the song, He was searching for somthing. He dabbled in a lot of things until he found christianity. After he became a christian, a lot of the songs on Vinyl Confessions are written with spiritual references. Once at a concert, they would say this is one of Kerry's spirtual songs. Sherry PA
- Sherry, Ridley Park, PA

i love this song. i dont really know a lot about kansas, but i just kinda stumbled onto this song and loved it. anyone recommend any other kansas songs?
- jordan, shokan, NY

i love this song eave dough it is depressig and talks about loosing hope and giving up "dont hang on nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky" and also that part in old scool is great
- elie, the u.k, England

If you want to hear Kansas' best music, get Masque and Leftoverture.
- Steve, Fenton, MO

This song was also used in the HIGHLANDER tv series very very fitting to the series excellent song!!
- Paul, lancashire uk, England

This song has such a deep meaning, but it has been covered by so many artists and in so many movies, that it has lost all meaning. I'm never buying a Lexus now, that's for sure.
- Kevin, Grosse Pointe, MI

I Played "Dust In The Wind" at my fathers funeral when i was 16 and i know that when my mother dies, they will play it too so the song represents the worst time in my live and a coming up time that i am not looking foward to. And now they have "Dust in the Wind" as the background music of a car commercial and radio ad whitch drives me crazy and just reminds me daily of my fathers death and my saddness..its a pretty depressing song.
- Lisa, annapolis, MD

My cousin works as a sound girl (i dont know the proffesional name) in the movie industry for movies, commercials, and music videos.... and she just happens to be friends with the drummer from Kansas. She gets passes, free concert tickets, no joke, Im serious.
- Galina, New London, CT

Even though it was a departure from hard rocking hits like Carry On Wayward Son and Point of No Return, Dust in the Wind is my favorite Kansas song. It sounds a lot like a folk song.
- Howard, St. Louis Park, MN

The simplicity with which an idea of such depth has been brought out is remarkable, an eternal truth put across so plainly almost makes it depressing'. And yet, it is this simplicity which makes the song so pretty'.. What I like so much about it is that there are no reasons, no analysis, no instruction, it purely about a feeling'.. The simple yet beautiful music compliments the words only too well'.. Its definitely one of the most beautiful songs I ever heard'...
- Arushi, Delhi, India

This song is depressing and beautiful. To whoever said grunge rock is more depressing: people whining about how crappy their life is not nearly as deep is this song is. This is a beautiful song, and I love it, but lately it has kind of been getting to me. It seems a little...atheistic. "All we are is dust in the wind?" I like to think that we are much more than that.
- Jonathan, St. James, MO

This song is so beautiful. The guitar patterns are easy to learn too.
- Aylin, Montreal, Canada

I just want to know how it made its way into a car commercial.
- Aylin, Montreal, Canada

Not to say this was the meaning but to mean it's a song about life and death and your short time on this earth to exsist. To me it's saying to be yourself and do your best to be happy for most lives come and go and don't make much of a difference to change the flow of things and nothing ever changes the passing of time. But to add my own personal note on the song...If you get enough dust and put it together you've got something you can see...It makes a difference.
- April, Natick, MA

This is the greatest Kansas song hands down, I love this song, very good song
- Tim, Dalton, MA

i thought that this was about the paratroopers in WWII
- Josh, Farmington, UT

If you don't think there are any songs more depressing than dust in the wind you've never really listened to any grunge rock.
- Mark, Levan, UT

actually this song is about the sentence " we come as dust and thus we leave the same" or something like that.
- Jessika, courtaney, CA

This is a beautiful song, if not slightly depressing. It really doesn't fit into the AOR format of the Point Of Know Return album, but it's pretty nonetheless. Awesome song, though not the best. The best Kansas material exists outside of "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust In The Wind" and "Point Of Know Return." Try "The Pinnacle", "Song For America", "Journey From Mariabronn", "Closet Chronicles", or "On The Other Side" to get a taste of just what Kansas really is (or was).
- Dick, Detroit, MI

Speaking of Kerry Livgren you can catch him on tour with the band Proto~Kaw(pre-kansas). http://www.protokaw.com/
- Eric, Dracut, MA

this is the best kansas song!
- gywn, niskayuna, NY

to me it's optimistic and full of hope and makes me live each moment to the fullest, nothing matters when we're gone.
- paul, malibu, CA

its depressin but it was funny when will sang it in Old School at blues funeral and vince talks about the old ppl dieing
- Caitlin, sailsbury, NC

This song was also covered very famously by the Scorpions and appeared on their album, Acoustica too.
- Taxi, Bombay, United States

I dont think there is any other song that can get someone more depressed than "Dust in the wind"
- Bryan, Colorado Springs, CO

The originality of the song makes it great.
- Bob, Levittown, PA