We all have certain songs that when you hear them, they bring you back to another time, long, long ago. Sometimes the memories they induce are good, sometimes, not so good. Here are a few of mine from the decade that was the 1970s:
"Oh! Carol" - Neil Sedaka - 1959
Of course this song became a hit well before the '70s and way before my time, but not my father's. Many a weekend morning during the '70s he'd put his scratchy record on the stereo, sneak into the kitchen and grab my mother, who's name, of course, was Carol, while she was busy cooking. They would then dance romantically as the song played and my father sang the lyrics in her ear as she got all flustered, giggled and admonished him to behave in front of the kids. This song always reminds me of the deep love my parents had for each other.
"Knock Three Times" - Tony Orlando and Dawn - 1970
This song got a lot of airplay in those halcyon years of our family. I remember my Aunt Ruth and Aunt Leona, who we called "Root" and "Nuena" respectively, singing this loudly at parties and get-togethers. This along with other Tony Orlando hits were the carefree party songs of their generation, and we little kids loved seeing the adults get their freak on.
"American Pie" - Don McLean - 1971
One early 1970s Christmas the three of us kids each got a musical instrument. I got a toy electronic keyboard, my sister got a toy electronic guitar (not the real acoustic guitar she got years later), and my brother got a set of kid-sized drums. For the remainder of the day we performed for the family as the newest rock band sensation to hit the Morin Heights Boulevard scene. The song we tried to perform, somewhat poorly: American Pie. This song always reminds me of the good times my siblings and I had growing up.
"Billy Don't Be A Hero" - Paper Lace - 1974
Along with "Seasons In The Sun", our decidedly liberal teachers at Citizen's Memorial Elementary chose songs with quite sober and mature subjects for our end of year pageant that we kids performed. Even though I was young, I fully understood the point of this song and it then, and now, touches me when considering the sacrifices our young soldiers make when fighting for what they believe, or are convinced to believe, is the right thing.
"I Fall To Pieces" - Patsy Cline - 1961
Another Golden Oldie, this one was a favorite of my mom's. I remember on Saturday mornings if we kids woke hearing this song blaring from the stereo, we'd better find some excuse and quick to get out of the house. Classic country music was motivation to get some major housecleaning done...and she was always looking for recruits for her mop and bucket brigade. Ah, the pungent scent of ammonia, Lysol cleaner and a smoky ozone smell spit out of the ear-splittingly loud Regina Electric Broom.
"Car Wash" - Rose Royce - 1976
Mr. Chenail's 6th grade class, South Main Street School, and we were rolling down the highway letting the warm spring breeze flow into our school bus as we made our way to our field trip destination. I can't remember where we went that bright and sunny May afternoon but I remember that we all broke out in song, singing this hit song in unison like we didn't have a care in the world.
"Oh! Carol" - Neil Sedaka - 1959
Of course this song became a hit well before the '70s and way before my time, but not my father's. Many a weekend morning during the '70s he'd put his scratchy record on the stereo, sneak into the kitchen and grab my mother, who's name, of course, was Carol, while she was busy cooking. They would then dance romantically as the song played and my father sang the lyrics in her ear as she got all flustered, giggled and admonished him to behave in front of the kids. This song always reminds me of the deep love my parents had for each other.
"Knock Three Times" - Tony Orlando and Dawn - 1970
This song got a lot of airplay in those halcyon years of our family. I remember my Aunt Ruth and Aunt Leona, who we called "Root" and "Nuena" respectively, singing this loudly at parties and get-togethers. This along with other Tony Orlando hits were the carefree party songs of their generation, and we little kids loved seeing the adults get their freak on.
"American Pie" - Don McLean - 1971
One early 1970s Christmas the three of us kids each got a musical instrument. I got a toy electronic keyboard, my sister got a toy electronic guitar (not the real acoustic guitar she got years later), and my brother got a set of kid-sized drums. For the remainder of the day we performed for the family as the newest rock band sensation to hit the Morin Heights Boulevard scene. The song we tried to perform, somewhat poorly: American Pie. This song always reminds me of the good times my siblings and I had growing up.
"Billy Don't Be A Hero" - Paper Lace - 1974
Along with "Seasons In The Sun", our decidedly liberal teachers at Citizen's Memorial Elementary chose songs with quite sober and mature subjects for our end of year pageant that we kids performed. Even though I was young, I fully understood the point of this song and it then, and now, touches me when considering the sacrifices our young soldiers make when fighting for what they believe, or are convinced to believe, is the right thing.
"I Fall To Pieces" - Patsy Cline - 1961
Another Golden Oldie, this one was a favorite of my mom's. I remember on Saturday mornings if we kids woke hearing this song blaring from the stereo, we'd better find some excuse and quick to get out of the house. Classic country music was motivation to get some major housecleaning done...and she was always looking for recruits for her mop and bucket brigade. Ah, the pungent scent of ammonia, Lysol cleaner and a smoky ozone smell spit out of the ear-splittingly loud Regina Electric Broom.
"Car Wash" - Rose Royce - 1976
Mr. Chenail's 6th grade class, South Main Street School, and we were rolling down the highway letting the warm spring breeze flow into our school bus as we made our way to our field trip destination. I can't remember where we went that bright and sunny May afternoon but I remember that we all broke out in song, singing this hit song in unison like we didn't have a care in the world.