But I like being old. For one thing, I'm out of the work-place. I still marvel that I no longer have to suit up, talk the current jargon of the business world, try to make my mark. And, although I don't look forward to the process and act of dying, I do look forward to knowing the ultimate mystery. When faith becomes experience. Wow. That'll be something. Indescribable really.
And there are compensations to being old. I don't hear as well as I once did, but I remember...boy, do I remember. I've read (don't remember where) that short-term memory for seniors sometimes deteriorates, but that long-term memories become richer. I think that's true. And at my age, I have so many memories. I've done a lot of stuff.
And today's computer can provide the audio and visual portions even better than my brain does. YouTube is a time-machine. I love it. With it I can see into the past and so many times I get excited, because I remember living what I'm seeing. Having approximately 60 years of experiences to draw on compensates for any current limitations.
Today's post is going to expand a little on something I mentioned not long ago. I said in my post about Laphroaig that I liked to hear how different artists treated the same song. In this post, I'm first going to give you three versions of a classic, that originated in the black/white era of tv. This is yet another departure from 'life in Aotearoa', but I didn't get any complaints last time, so I'll chance it again.
I remember sitting in the wing-back chair in the corner of our living room and watching Leslie Gore belt out, You Don't Own Me. She seemed so worldly to me then. Now I look at that video and say, "Yipes, girl! Did you mean to look like that?"
Then, I have two more versions of that song. I wanted to include Bette Midler doing a solo of it, that I had seen on YouTube some time ago, but it must have been taken down. I can't find it. I do have Bette Midler, Diane Keaton and Goldy Hawn singing it. Every time I see how talented Goldy was I remember her on Laugh-In and in Private Benjamin.
Lastly, I have it done, very, very differently, by Klaus Nomi. He is that same countertenor that did the second Dido's Lament on my other post. He died of AIDS back in the 80's but, what a voice. I remember hearing his recording of this song on Rush Limbaugh's radio program, when he used it to open a segment of his show. I was driving during lunchtime between the Khoury factories in Iron Mountain and Kingsford when I heard it. There is actually a YouTube recording of Rush playing the song on that show but I've chosen not to show it because he talks over too much of the song. Look it up if you like.
See what I mean about memories? Like Jimmy Durante said, but about jokes, "I got a million of 'em."
So, see what you think. I hope you enjoy comparing the song I've chosen today. I like that they vary so much from one another.
Do you have some favourite songs from your past? Fire up YouTube and find your memories brought back to life. (You could even watch a much older Neil Young and Willie Nelson doing Heart of Gold together, if you want.)
Finally, here's one last one from my top ten list. Our Town, by Iris Dement and Emmylou Harris. I've tried to find somebody who might do it better than they did, but haven't succeeded... You know, I never was a fan of Emmylou in the past, wasn't a country fan, but hearing her contribution to this song...she is amazing. I probably should have paid more attention to her over the years...Okay, I've got to do the link to this one for you too, because I want to remember again...
...Do you remember the last episode of Northern Exposure? An excerpt from this song closed it. -djf
I just loved this posting and the memories were great. When I was young, I thought it would be so awful to be old. Now that I am of advanced age according to the Social Security Administration, I do not mind being old at all. Yes, some things are not fun as you mention but mostly it is pleasant. I earned my wrinkles. I can still out work many of my younger counterparts but I look forward to the day that I can retire from traditional work. I loved the music comparisons. I am partial to the Bette/Goldie/Diane rendition. That movie, "First Wives Club" wasn't great but the final scene with that song was fabulous. That will be my theme song when I come home from a bad day at work and want to vent my frustrations. One of my favorite shows was Ally McBeal and the law firm staff would often meet in the unisex bathrooms and sing together to blow off steam. They would sing to a Barry White song. I bet it is on You Tube somewhere. I never go to that website but I really do have to take the time to go there someday. I loved Northern Exposure but I do not remember this song. The song is just lovely and I agree with you on Emily Lou Harris. Thank you for the walk down memory lane. McKenzie
ReplyDeleteYou have a very good idea there for a theme song for unwinding after bad days at work.
DeleteI have a great deal more free time than you do and so find it easy to spend as much time as I want on Youtube. I'm glad though that you plan to try it some time. You will discover how easy it is to find almost anthing. It lets me down now and then, and sometimes I find something, only to have it disappear later...oh well.
Thanks for your interesting comment.
This entry of yours is GOLD! and you do have a heart of gold, honey. I loved the paths this walk down memory lane took me, from Wawa Ontario (Helpless) while I was searching for the Young/Cash version of Heart of Gold. And I'm still searching. I ended up crying over Our Town, because I was saying goodbye to my Michigan Home, where my mom and dad are buried. Probably never see it again. Then I ended up (amazing how one path always leads to another and you never get back where you started)...ended up with K D Lang's Halleluia at the 2010 Olympics. Had to stop there. Lots of tears, but that's good. What a wonderful blog....but only if you follow up the links you so kindly provided. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you Hon.
DeleteAhhh, this entry also sent me down memory lane - the songs by Neil Young stir up very similar memories as yours, Jeanne, and are among my all time favorites. I can't say I remember Northern Exposure very well and the song was not familiar though I listened carefully and felt the overwhelming sadness of leaving your old life behind - or maybe we can just say that everything has changed but we move on.
ReplyDeleteNow, the lighter side of this entry in comparing the different versions of 'You Don't Own Me' I can truly say I've never heard anything like the voice and rendition by Klaus Nomi before. (I didn't listen to his Dido's Lament.) But I like the original by Leslie Gore the best.
You'd also asked what favorite songs from the past I might have. Well, let me think on this little. First I remember the musicians and their music that influenced me in in college. Do you remember the band America, 3 Dog Night, The Who (with Jethro Tull), the Guess Who, Yes, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Janice Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Elton John, Rod Stewart, James Walsh, Queen, Traffic, Cat Stevens, Bob Seger, James Taylor, Neil Diamond - I could go on and on.
While I still enjoy hearing the occasional song from these artists, I think that many of my favorite songs are from the 80s with my all-time favorite album being Graceland by Paul Simon. The 80s have lots of high energy and happy songs: Do you remember 'Walking on Sunshine' by Katrina and the Waves? or Pink Cadillac by Aretha Franklin?
Well, I guess you can say I'm really rolling down memory lane! I've got a dozen tabs open with tunes I need to listen to now.
I love Paul Simon's GRACELAND as well Dianne. Thanks to you. You gave me the cassette years ago. Good stuff. As Doug says, memories are wonderful gifts!
ReplyDelete