Tunes of the Times of our Lives

Songs from my past help me remember more clearly than yesterday events and feelings from decades ago. I was reminded of this phenomenon while preparing for the upcoming Boomer "Name That Tune" game at on Feb. 14.  (More about that to follow).

It all started with “Little Darlin” sung by The Diamonds in the 1950’s. Too young to know about romance, I was sure that song was for me and my daddy. To this day, my eyes tear up when I hear that song, remembering how we loved watching the Hit Parade on TV, and the way he sang the lyrics to me.

Listening again to the Beatles "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," I remember a particular convertible ride, the wind blowing in my hair and the excitement I felt that my friend selected me as the first person he took for a ride in his parent's new convertible.

"The Stroll" and "Hand Jive" remind me of high school parties, which often ended with a cozy "Moon River" dance. Looking back I must have liked the first two because they were group dances, but I can still feel a tinge of angst that I might not be asked for a dance to "Moon River" which signified some degree of "specialness."

My first year in college, I remember the longing for my high school boyfriend which became particularly acute when I heard Chad and Jeremy's "A Summer Song." Most any early Barbara Streisand song reminds me of the more carefree Saturdays of college dorm life because quiet hours were lifted and someone down the hall with a very loud stereo played lots of her music.

Even the cheesy McCoy song "Hang on Sloopy" reminds me of a particular night I danced with the man who would later become my husband. I can even remember how the room looked. Later, we listened to "Alice's Restaurant" on a particular night that ended with professed love. And the list goes on.

So, if you’d like to take a walk down memory lane with tunes from your past, come join The Boomers, whether you are a Baby Boomer or not, single or “hitched,” on February 14 at Earth Fare in Five Points. We’ll play our own version of “Name That Tune,” a TV game show which lasted from the 1950’s to the 1980’s. In our version, we’ll play tunes from the Top Ten lists from 1963 to 1980. There will be rounds at 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00, with prizes for the winners and a door prize that anyone can win. You can also enjoy a special Rib Roast Dinner for only $8.99 or a ratatouille burger special.

For a brief history of the TV show "Name That Tune" with links to an early hilarious 1950’s episode and a late 1970’s episode where a contestant won $100,000, visit The Boomers: Reflecting, Sharing, Learning website. You can email me at mdarnell@athenslibrary.org with questions.