Escape to Reality
By chance while I was listening to Pivot, a political podcast, I heard Kara Swisher mention another podcast that had interviewed her – “Life in Seven Songs.” The podcast features famous people, but what if the question was posed to those of us not earning billions or making headlines? Plus, the name intrigued me. What seven songs would I choose that have special meaning to me or influenced my life?
The process proved to be a welcome distraction from the political arena that has overwhelmed me and almost every American the last four months. Not only did I reflect on years of music in my life, but I was also able to emotionally relive some wonderful moments.
What follows, in no particular order, is a list of:
Life in Seven Songs
- Never Neverland
There’s still something magical about Peter Pan. The television version with Mary Martin first aired in 1954, I was six years old. I remember sitting cross-legged in front of the TV clapping feverishly for Tinkerbell to survive. The lyrics are filled with optimism and joy that have aged well over the years.
I have a place where dreams are born,
And time is never planned.
It’s not on any chart,
You must find it with your heart.
Never Never Land.
It might be miles beyond the moon,
Or right there where you stand.
Just keep an open mind,
And then suddenly you’ll find
Never Never Land.
- Roadster, Two-Seated
Back in the day, time in the car on road trips was filled by looking for white horses, reading Burma Shave signage, counting Mail Pouch barns, and singing songs. (The car had a radio, but we never turned it on while on vacation.) These tunes were standards ditties that we sang enthusiastically like “My Grandfather’s Clock” and “Oh, Soldier, Soldier won’t you marry me?” But the favorite was “I Bought a Roadster, Two-seater.” Nothing beats a surprise punchline on the road! [lyric attached below]
- Star Spangled Banner
I taught elementary school music after college. I was twenty-two, full of energy and purpose. There were three classes of grades 1 through 3 that met three times a week for a half hour. There were also three classes of grades 4 through 6 that met twice a week for forty-five minutes. I barely had time to breathe. (I only had one half hour to myself all week.) I decided that it was important for my young students to learn the Star-Spangled Banner, so every class began standing and singing the National Anthem. (Which means I played the piano and sang along, more than a dozen times every week.) During one of the parent/teacher conferences Eddie’s dad asked to speak to me. Eddie was a pint-sized first grader and their family had gone to see the Pittsburgh Penguins play hockey. His father wanted me to know that when they stood for the anthem in the arena, Eddie sang the song loud and clear bringing joy to all the hockey fans with earshot.
- You Can Tell the World – Jessye Norman
I love the “Spiritual’s in Concert” performance featuring Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman at Carnegie Hall. They sing duets on a number of hymns, and each has several solos. Not only does the lyric of “You Can Tell the World” offer a dynamic message, Jessye can be heard tapping (?) her foot midway, encouraging the conductor to come along at her tempo! I love that.
- Mary – Many Songs
My sister Mary spent the last few years of her life battling a rare disease that toyed with her mind. She was conscious of slipping in and out of reality and she hated not being aware. One day I got a call from her daughter Amy, asking if I would sing to Mary over the phone. Mary loved music, she loved singing, but she was struggling.
I started singing old hymns we had sung in church back in the day, and then moved on to spirituals like “Go Tell it on the Mountain” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” I know the first lines of hundreds of songs, but the second line? Not so much, but I dug deep that afternoon.
When I visited her in Pittsburgh at the I.C.U. in Allegheny General, she could be clear as a bell for a while and then start talking to “someone” who wasn’t there. This time we sang together and, happy to say, she knew far more words than I did. It brought us both joy.
- Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder
The album, “Songs in the Key of Life” was released in 1976, the year my life turned upside down and inside out, luckily, in a good way! The entire record was revolutionary at the time and “Sir Duke” struck a chord with the opening lyric:
Music is a world within itself
With a language we all understand
With an equal opportunity
For all to sing, dance and clap their hands
I can’t help but stop and listen every time I hear the track. It makes me happy. In 2015 at the Grammys, Lady Gaga blew the roof off the place performing “Sir Duke” brilliantly at Stevie’s birthday party! It was like a double scoop of ice cream.
7. What’ll I Do?
If I had to choose just one song, Irving Berlin’s “What’ll I Do?” wins. I love music in ¾ time, the melody is haunting, and the lyric speaks to my heart.
At this difficul emotional time, choosing seven songs and remembering why I love them was a gift. I’m happy to share and, if you are so inclined, I’d love to hear what music has enriched your life, creating a glorious esape from reality.
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All these tunes are available on YouTube, but for easy reference I’ve attached “The Roadster…” and “What’ll I do?”
I bought a roadster, two-seater
I even had it heated, so I could see Maggie alone
We went out drivin’, and kissin’, Then the motor started missin’
And we were many miles from home.
So, I got out and lifter up the hood
There to my surprise the trouble was understood
There was her father, her mother, her sister and her brother
Oh, I’ll never see Maggie alone
****
What’ll I do?
When you are far away
And I am blue
What’ll I do?
What’ll I do?
When I am wondering who
Is kissing you
What’ll I do?
What’ll I do with just a photograph
To tell my troubles to?
When I’m alone
With only dreams of you
That won’t come true
What’ll I do?
What’ll I do with just a photograph
To tell my troubles to?
When I’m alone
With only dreams of you
That won’t come true
What’ll I do?