Enjoyed this! And I remember those three network TV channels--that someone had to manually change, no less. (As the youngest of six, that someone was usually me.) Thanks for the reminder to slow down and savor those summer breezes.
It's funny all the song lyrics I miss heard as a teenager only to read them when playing them on Amazon music on the TV and seeing them for the first time. What a revelation!
Paul - I always enjoy (and benefit from) reading your posts. One key antidote to digital overwhelm is culture and tradition. I am Welsh, and we have fought to preserve our language and culture, which includes a passion for choral singing. My daughter is in her first term at university, and has been brought up in that culture, so it was natural for her (I now realise) to seek out a Welsh choir to join at university. Last month they won the national prize for a choir in their category, and to see the joy it brought them was extremely moving. In this world of constant outrage, these young people could’ve sat in their rooms doom-scrolling, but they formed a community for themselves which brought them joy, togetherness and a chance to excel. Their leader was interviewed and said “we are a community choir, by students, for students”. Language, culture and traditions matter, they enrich our lives, but they don’t appear on balance sheets or profit / loss accounts.
Mine was: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band: Blinded By the Light (1976)
For years I thought it was “ revved up like a douche and rolled her in the night”
“Blinded by the light
Revved up like a deuce
Another runner in the night”
Great piece Paul!
Lauren, that pretty much made my day. Thank you for sharing. And also, to quote the late, great Jimi Hendrix, ‘Scuse me while I kiss this guy.”
Enjoyed this! And I remember those three network TV channels--that someone had to manually change, no less. (As the youngest of six, that someone was usually me.) Thanks for the reminder to slow down and savor those summer breezes.
It's funny all the song lyrics I miss heard as a teenager only to read them when playing them on Amazon music on the TV and seeing them for the first time. What a revelation!
She's lucky to have a father like you, Paul!
Mondegreen is an excellent addition to my vocabulary, thanks for a great article.
Enjoy Door County!!
Paul - I always enjoy (and benefit from) reading your posts. One key antidote to digital overwhelm is culture and tradition. I am Welsh, and we have fought to preserve our language and culture, which includes a passion for choral singing. My daughter is in her first term at university, and has been brought up in that culture, so it was natural for her (I now realise) to seek out a Welsh choir to join at university. Last month they won the national prize for a choir in their category, and to see the joy it brought them was extremely moving. In this world of constant outrage, these young people could’ve sat in their rooms doom-scrolling, but they formed a community for themselves which brought them joy, togetherness and a chance to excel. Their leader was interviewed and said “we are a community choir, by students, for students”. Language, culture and traditions matter, they enrich our lives, but they don’t appear on balance sheets or profit / loss accounts.
I love how anything heard as a kid on 70's AM radio is an instant time machine. Your lyrical liberties are hilarious and make a great story.