PLAYLIST SONG BREAKDOWN: DISCUSS

70’s kids heard classic rock when it was new.

And we’ve heard it ever since, song after song after song.

Like many 70’s kids I took a guitar lesson and forgot about it. My big song was Down In The Valley. I learned it in Jansen Music in Pony Village, North Bend Oregon.

When I moved to a nice rathole apartment in Brooklyn NY where my neighbors stole cars and torched them down my dead end city street, I stayed in and re-learned a little guitar.

Literally a small guitar, a classical with a broken back that vibrated. It sounded like overdrive.

That’s when song discussion happened, an internal question after question after question while the burning cars flickered through my shades at night.

One song was Me and Bobbi McGee and the question of why he let his girl slip away somewhere near Salinas.

Lit fans know, Salinas as John Steinbeck country. Maybe his girl left to go to college and become an English teacher instead of hitchhiking around the country?

Lean On Me

The singer invites someone to lean on them because they’re gonna need someone to lean on?

This isn’t an altruistic deal, more of back scratch trade.

“No one can fill those of your needs that you don’t let show.”

This is more than an offer to help. They want to know what you don’t show.

Someone needs help.

Peaceful Easy Feeling

The guy gets a feeling he may know someone as a lover and a friend?

Well, which one is it, and why can’t they remember?

Oh, it was the seventies. This guy didn’t think a woman could take him anyway he didn’t already know how to go.

And he was wrong.

Simple Man

It’s nice that momma called her only son over and gave him life lessons.

1. Take your time.
2. Forget your lust for the rich man’s gold.
3. Be something you love and understand
4. Follow your heart and nothing else.
5. Be satisfied.
6. Don’t forget there’s someone up above.

Sound like a good momma?

Who’ll Stop The Rain

“Long as I remember, the rain been coming round.”

Since I grew up in the Oregon rain, I’ve always asked the same question.

Now I know the answer: ignore the rain and clean the gutters.

Purple Rain

“I never wanted to be your weekend lover.”

Prince played this in the 80’s but it speaks to the 70’s.

What is a ‘weekend lover?’

Discuss.

Willin’

“And if you give me weed, whites, and wine, and show me a sign, I’ll be willing’ to be moving’.”

From what I can tell, this is a song about a commercial truck driver who’s driven every kind of rig that’s ever been made.

But he only drives loaded? Hmmm …

Sound Of Silence

“The words of the prophets are written on the subway wall and tenement halls.”

I’ve been in subways and halls and the most common thing I saw written was F**K YOU.

Is this a prophet to follow?

Learning Curve

If you’re broke and date a nice girl, take her on the road to nowhere, she’s dumping you eventually to go to a new life.

If you help someone, just help, don’t get all complicated. Do your best without the inquiry. They’ll tell you more if they want to.

Let me know if a song resonates with you.

And a one, and a two, and go.