A little bit about books, a little bit about life.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Booking Thru Thursday--Songs




Today's "Booking Through Thursday" Question is interesting...Good, but interesting. Because I love songs and this is about songs/music...


So, today’s question?
What songs … either specific songs, or songs in general by a specific group or writer … have words that you love?
Why?
And … do the tunes that go with the fantastic lyrics live up to them?


I spent all day yesterday wrestling with idea of taking a class at our local college. The class is an upper-level humanities class. "The Beatles Across the Universe"
You can check out the syllabus here.


I love songs. I love music. I do admire the depth, meaning and playfulness of a song. And I enjoy a wide variety of music, from, well, the Beatles, to Jazz to the old crooners, to Nickelback, to the BareNaked Ladies, to Alan Jackson and Rascal Flatts.


Although, if someone asked me to recite the words to a certain song, I'm not so sure I could do it. BUT, in conversation, if someone begins, unaware, a lyric to a song, I will finish it.
For instance, my friends mother's name is Lola and she once said, "My mothers name is Lola." And I said "Was she a showgirl?" (from the Barry Manilow song...). I can't help it, I do it all the time. It annoys my husband to no end, but at least he knows what I am talking about, because believe me, there are times when no one has heard of the song/lyric I finish, and then I have to explain it to them. They look at me like I've lost my mind. I prefer to think they are thinking WOW, she is so smart! (kidding).


I guess I've meandered away from the question... a song with words that I love? I grew up in the 70's, my husband in the 60's. Those were eras of symbolism in rocks songs... everything was about sex and drugs. Which I didn't know or understand until I was way into adulthood, because I didn't "get" symbolism at the time.
I still have a real love for that music. It's a nostalgia thing. But it's hard to put into words why you like The Partridge Family's "I think I love you" or "Papa was a Rollin' Stone" by the Temptations. The Eagles, The Bee Gee's, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zepplin, Bad Company, The Beach Boys oh...and Meatloaf!!!!

I do think the lyrics and tune lived up to one another, in the good old days ..... I have a whole box full of 45's. One hit wonders. And a disco-ball and a lava lamp. Just waiting to have a party in my garage this summer.

I have TOTALLY not answered your question. Sorry. But I had fun reminiscing. Thanks. And I've made up my mind to go-ahead and take the Beatles class at the college.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've got to listen to some good ol' rock 'n roll after reading your post.

akawest said...

Yes, yes, yes, take the class. Then you can share it with your blog readers!

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, I would take the class. I have seen the movie 'Across The Universe' four times already. The first time my hubby and I almost turned it off but as we conmtinued to watch we fell so in love with it. I even wrote a review way back when on my post. It's a great movie!

Jo-Jo said...

It's all about the nostalgia! I hope you enjoy your class.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your blog post so much. I loved your example of Lola and the showgirl! The class sounds like fun.

Sandra said...

The words to the song "The Day The Music Died" about the day a small plane crashed, killing Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper, are the first lyrics that I remember really "spoke to me." I have also always been touched by the words to the song "The Edmond Fitzgerald" about a ship that sank in the 70's in a storm on one of the Great Lakes.