Music from past offers trip down memory lane
What has “music to my ears” meant for you? Was it a healthy baby who fills our hearts as well as our ears? Or the pride you felt when you heard you aced the test? Maybe it’s a sigh of relief when hearing you’ve lost another five pounds, or news that there is no cancer, the heart is healthy, and therapy is coming along.
These are musical pauses where we can hum a silent thank you. Is this how the different musical genres have affected us as well?
Our formative and mature years have taken us from enjoying music on 78’s, 45’s, and LPs, played on a record player. Then 8-track and CD players took over. Fortunately, CD music is still available.
Big band music such as Glenn Miller, Guy Lombardo, The Dorsey Brothers, and Kate Smith were staples in our parents’ time. Humming along to their tunes was popular. When a melody played that begged for a waltz, they’d get up and start waltzing, not caring who was watching or where they were. Music was an escape from news about The Depression and World War II.
As with all cultural genres, musical norms changed with the dawn of the 1950s and Bill Haley and the Comets, Johnny Mathis, Doris Day and Elvis Presley. The fox trot became popular — the challenge was not stepping on your partner’s feet. The lindy, and its twirling invited giggles from those who couldn’t keep up. Being a wallflower was easier than attempting to follow an expert. It was during the ‘50s that the rumba and tango became popular with those who enjoyed dancing. Laughter erupted from those who tried to hold onto the waist of someone in front of us while we attempted to bunny hop across the room.
Of course, there was the horror of Elvis swinging his hips to “Jailhouse Rock” on the Ed Sullivan Show. My father was deadset against my watching it. However, we compromised by watching it together. Don’t want to think what he’d do if he saw what is offered to the viewer today.
There was Paul Anka and “Diana,” Buddy Holly and “Peggy Sue,” along with Patti Page’s mournful “Tennessee Waltz” and The Shirelles upbeat “I Met Him on a Sunday.” One has to smile and hopefully enjoy the memories of new sounds and new expressions of moving on the dance floor.
Fast forward to the 1960s, which brought the explosion of The Beatles on the American music scene. This talented, funny group from England brought us much memorable music during those turbulent times. “Hey Jude” was and remains my favorite. It was a great piano bar sing-along. Chubby Checkers’ “The Twist” allowed anyone who could stand and move to do their own rendition of “The Twist.” No partner needed. Another get-up-andmove favorite was the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ USA”, also a singalong. If your name was Susan or close to it, the Everly Bros had a song for you, “Wake Up, Please Susie.” Sixties music gave us a time to explore our music and dance alternatives.
The words and music of the 1970s was more meaningful. Who can forget Barbra Streisand’s singing the love song “The Way We Were” to Robert Redford in the movie of the same name? Not I. Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” was a jukebox favorite and remains a staple at sporting events.
I’m partial to his “America” and the enthusiasm and love in his words for those who touch our shores. In 1983, Neil Diamond performed at The Hampton Coliseum. We were able to see and hear him run onto the stage singing “America.” The audience with lighters, candles and raised voices rose and saluted the song
Conversely, the haunting, soulful “Mandy” by Barry Manilow made one mourn for the one who got away. It has that feeling even if no one got away.
Two of America’s most revered musical artists, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, will never leave the musical stage. When living in Washington in the mid-60s I had the privilege of hearing Ms. Fitzgerald perform at an outdoor concert. She regaled the audience with foot stomping tunes as well as melodic tunes.
And yes, I think most would agree
Frank Sinatra lived his unforgettable song “My Way.” Since I’m a New York transplant, I’m partial to his “New York, New York.”
So many genres have touched our lives and been music to our ears. And yes, it is a disservice not to have included Celene Dion, Cher and Helen Reddy, to name just a few. That musical memory trip is for another day. Mahony, a former New Yorker and volunteer, is a student of words and the psychology of humanity. She can be reached at mahonyhamp@aol.com.