In response to a challenge by the Tuesday Gather Writing Essentials editor, I will provide a playlist of my life. Just off the top of my head - not too much thinking involved - here is one song per year starting at age 6. The songs do not always match up with the years, but rather when I think of these years, these songs come to mind.
First grade. I sang Battle Hymn of the Republic for the talent show.
Second grade. I sang What's New Pussycat to Dee Fedel coming back in from recess.
Third grade. Crimson and Clover blaring over the Poolside Patio juke box.
Fourth grade. Who'll Stop the Rain (same jukebox).
Fifth grade. Calcutta (my first 45 was a Lawrence Welk record)
Sixth grade. Eighteen (Alice Cooper on the aforementioned jukebox. I told my friends I thought she was talented, for an alto.)
Seventh grade. Mr Limoine Driver (Grand Funk)
Eighth grade. Whole Lotta Love. (Zeppelin)
Ninth grade. Song I Made Up (For my garage band. I didn't know any chords yet.)
Tenth grade. Suite Judy Blue Eyes
Eleventh grade. Freaker's Ball (Dr. Hook).
Twelfth grade. Smoothe Mouth (Black Canyon Gang). I spent a lot of time at the house of this band you've never heard of.
1977. Shannon (Henry Gross)
1978. He's So Shy (Pointer Sisters). Laura thought this song described me perfectly.
1979. Bony Fingers (from the jukebox at the Longbranch Bar)
1980. I Confess (The English Beat)
1981. I Fall to Pieces (I sang it in the Ouray Country Jamboree)
1982. Don't Stand So Close to Me. (Die Polizei)
1983. Annie Get Your Gun (Squeeze)
1984. Little Girls (Oingo Boingo)
1985. Pay the Man (David Lindley)
1986. Me in Your Eyes (I wrote it for some twit)
1987. There Must Be an Angel (Eurythmics)
1988. Thanks a Lot (Ernest Tubb)
1989. Hello Angel (Scruffy the Cat)
1990. Easy Livin' (Billie Holiday)
1991. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
1992. Islands (another song I wrote)
1993. Los Toalitos(sp?) at the Loring Bar in Minneapolis (great Chicago band)
1994. You (another song I wrote)
1995. Achy Breaky Heart (the only song on the list I've never heard)
1996. Sweet Jane
1997. Here There and Everywhere (one of two songs I sang for Janie on our wedding day; Easy Livin' being the other)
1998. A Shu Dekei O (sp.) Hun Hur Tu
1999. Mambo #5 (from a record I found at a yard sale)
2000. The Coffee Pot Song (Mr. Elk and Mr. Seal)
2001. God Bless America (because nobody felt like singing about bombs bursting in air)
2002. Fortunate Son ("Some folks are born, silver spoon in hand. Whoa. Don't they help themselves.")
2003. Everything is Holy (Peter Mayer)
2004. Helter Skelter (my reaction to Bush's reelection)
2005. No Love Today (Chris Smither)
2006. With Whom They Please (another song I wrote)
2007. That collaboration between Robert Plant and Allison Krause. Delightful.
2008. I don't know; the year is young.
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Comments: 31
Cheryl, thank you too.
I almost included "School's Out" too, but there were too many other songs to justify two by him. Yes, I did get some withering glances when I called Alice Cooper a her.
Mary Ann, it's really good to have a framework written down. It's amazing what basic things one can forget over the years.
Lesli, it was hard for me to find the time for it, but then when I have an idea to write about, it's hard to ignore that as well.
Like Taking it To the Streets
Sisters Are Doing it For Themselves
God Bless the Child
This Little Light of Mine
etc. etc.
Thank you, Robin!
Thank you, Bhawanna!
This got featured. Yay for you!
:)
It was a fun read as were so many submissions. I wanted people to know that there were so many talented and wonderful writers out there that I couldn't even keep up with who to feature. If anyone wants to find them, do a search on Gather for Writing Essential or Tuesday Writing Essential and you'll find many articles about how people are affected by music, the sounds of their life and....how that relates to their writing.
Again, congrats to Ron for being featured!
:)
Adam, I certainly went from acid rock to 50s country to zydeco to mambo. I still like it all, but my favorite varies over time.
And to you too, J Corn. I was mightily pleased to be asked to be Sunday editor, and I hope you enjoy serving the communty as Tuesday editor. It's an honor.
Victoria, that was my Junior year in high school. When the teacher was in the room, we'd put the record on Carrie Me Carrie, and when he left, some darned naughty stuff came out of the speakers.
I know.. waaay off topic. heheee.
back then, everyone thought we were "cool". I look back at some of the hair styles for women and laugh.
I think my favorite pic of you is the one between the 87 and 91. How old were you then?