Timeless hits tell the story
The year may read 2019 on your calendar, but my Sirius XM Radio is still dialed into the music of the 1960s.
It seems only natural that a golden-ager would prefer to listen to those golden oldies, right?
When it comes to trivial matters, my recall is pretty sharp. But, just to be sure of certain titles and artists, I printed out (via Wikipedia) a list of the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles from 1958 to 1969. Wow! Talk about a trip down memory lane.
In perusing this panoply of pop hits, I could not help but think how some of them might be apropos theme songs for what has been happening on
today’s political, social, cultural and sports news fronts.
• Partial shutdown of the federal government: “A World Without Love” (Peter and Gordon, 1964) and “Eve of Destruction” (Barry McGuire, 1965).
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, Democrats, on the need for a border wall: “It’s Only Make Believe” (Conway Twitty,
1958) and “Somethin’ Stupid” (Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra, 1967).
• President Donald Trump on his campaign promise to build a border wall and public resistance to it: “Stuck on You” (Elvis Presley, 1960) and “I (Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (The Rolling Stones, 1965).
• Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and many Republicans on negotiations with Democrats to reopen federal government and continue talks on immigration policies: “It’s All in the Game” (Tommy Edwards, 1958) and “The Sound of Silence” (Simon & Garfunkel, 1966).
• The nearly 800,000 American federal workers affected by the partial government shutdown: “Help“(The Beatles, 1965) and “Heartaches by the Number” (Guy Mitchell, 1959).
• Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and wife Mackenzie’s announcement that they are divorcing after 25 years of marriage and speculation about how they might divide their $136.7 billion fortune: “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” (Neil Sedaka, 1962) and “Can’t Buy Me Love” (The Beatles, 1964).
• The lowlights and not-so-funny hosting gig of actors Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh on the recent 2019 Golden Globes broadcast: “Easier Said Than Done” (The Essex, 1963) and “Kind of a Drag” (The Buckinghams, 1967).
• The 10-4 Arkansas Razorbacks’ anemic offense in their 57-51 at-home loss to the 9-5 Florida Gators on Wednesday, Jan. 9: “Sleep Walk” (Santo & Johnny, 1959) and “A Hard Day’s Night” (The Beatles, 1964).
• The No. 1-ranked Notre Dame women’s Thursday night 82-68 win over conference foe and No. 2-ranked Louisville: “Good Vibrations” (The Beach Boys, 1966) and “Groovin’ ” (Young Rascals, 1967).
• Mantra of the many volunteers who work hard each week to organize and manage the Garland County Historical Society’ infusion of data and photo files: “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” (Four Tops, 1966).
• Crater of Diamonds State Park yearend news release that showed 124,000 people visited the site and found 405 diamonds weighing 77.12 carats: “This Diamond Ring” (Gary Lewis & The Playboys, 1965).
• The “news” as reported on many social media websites: “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (Marvin Gaye, 1968).
• The importance of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” (The 5th Dimension, 1969).
Every happening needs its own soundtrack. Perhaps this little word exercise might prompt our readers to add their own.