#tbt - Memories of my Dad

"You are My Sunshine" and Old Spice aftershave will always be linked for me.  They both take me immediately to my early childhood living in an apartment in Washington, DC with both of my parents.

My father worked in a drug store and went in late every other day.  On those days I remember my dad shaving and dressing all the while humming or singing "You are My Sunshine."  It is such a comforting memory.  I always link that song with him.

There were other songs as well.  My dad loved Elvis but the Elvis of spiritual songs.  My dad's favorite was "Peace in the Valley."  He did a pretty good Elvis sound when he sang along.  It's funny what memories come with songs and smells. 

Every now and then those songs just spring into my head.  I figure my dad is close at hand.

#tbt - First Love

Pool parties were a big thing the summer I turned 15.  The Officer's Club at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, DC hosted one every week and two boys (brothers) from my church loved to go.  Lucky for me, they would always invite me and my friend.  At first it was just a friendly thing, but eventually it became clear these were "dates."

It was one of the best summers of my teenage years.  I loved those nights at the pool and the band and the music.  I don't know what the band was or even if it was the same band but they covered all the popular songs.

"Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones was a hit that summer and it was the one song everyone wanted to hear.  I loved dancing to that.  My boyfriend was so funny and while I tried to do just the right dance, he let the music carry him.  Even when we were going on other dates, if that song came on the radio, he would jump and shake.

Whenever I hear that song, I am immediately transported to that pool on a warm summer night in 1965.  I think of Richard and I smile.

Ultimate Classic Rock

from Amazon.com

Songs Revisited

Picture from Wikipedia.

Are you like me?  Do you hate it when a song gets stuck in your brain?  Yesterday I heard a song by Herman's Hermits and now the first two lines of the song are playing over and over (and over and over) in my mind.

"She's a Must to Avoid, a complete impossibility..." over and over.  There are a few things that are funny and odd about this.  When I heard the song yesterday, I was excited.  I like the song.  I was able to sing along.  It's just now I can't forget it.

My teen years began simultaneously with the British Invasion.  I watched The Beatles on Ed Sullivan along with half the free world.  I never felt animosity to other British bands just because I loved the Beatles.  

I think I had several albums by Herman's Hermits.  This song was one of my favorites along with "I'm Henry the Eighth" and "Silhouettes on the Shade." I really did like most of the rest.  I wish I still had all my albums.  They are probably lost in the basement of my parents old home.  I hope the subsequent owners enjoyed them.

One other curiosity about this song is that I always had the lyrics wrong.  I always thought he was singing "She's a must for a boy...." which changes the entire drift of the song!  Imagine learning the correct version just when my family thinks I can't hear!

#tbt - Turn Back Thursday

Recently, I have started listening to "The 60s on 6" on my satellite car radio.  I usually listen to all news stations but the election is killing me.  I need to go back in time - at least for a while.

Monday was a beautiful day and I was off to spend the day with my daughter in law who was having work done in their home.  My car windows were down and the radio was loud.  The next song up took me back to the backyard of the house where I lived as a teenager.

"Windy" by the Association was a favorite.  It was light and energetic and still reminds me of the summer.  

The song reach number one in 1966 and was the second hit by the group.  The first was Cherish.  I love that song too.  I have read that the song was written by a women and Windy was originally meant to be a guy but the producer changed the gender and then the tempo and it was a hit.This link The Association Song clips will take you to "Songfacts" and you can hear Windy and a few other of their hits.  

Photo from Songfacts site.

I can't believe that I am "throwing back" so many years ago.  Does anyone else still feel 16?