The Story of the Nostalgic Dip

A few weeks ago, I started another “daily add” to my status on Facebook.  I have a few, e.g., Sniglets and Ambrose Bierce.  This new one came as a result of me finding a list that I used a few years ago for another project.  The list is actually a series of lists – the Top 100 Pop Hits from Billboard magazine for, like, the entire existence of Billboard magazine.  So I thought, “Hmm.  I should find these tunes on YouTube and share them on my Facebook timeline!”  Brilliant.  I call it “Nostalgic Dip.”

I have been doing this now for about a month.  I think.  I did not write down the start date, and Facebook (or my browser; or the local server; or who knows?) would not cooperate to take me back in my timeline more than about 24 hours, so.  Anyway, I decided to start with 1973, since that was when I graduated high school and also the year I got married.  And, yes, I am still married to the same gorgeous lady.  Also, my high school has not disavowed all knowledge of me, as far as I know.

I already knew that I would find many terrific songs to share.  But I also discovered that there were songs on the list that I would refrain from sharing, for various reasons.  Of course, every song has its die-hard adherents, who will think I am banana-crackers to have omitted THEIR song.  But, hey.  My timeline; my selections; my reasons.

As of this writing, I have gotten through song #59 on the 1973 list.  I have shared 36 songs on my timeline, and I have rejected 23 songs.  This post is my way of giving those rejected songs a bit of attention because they made it to that Top 100 list for some reason.  Nevertheless, my main reason for offering this post is to share my thought processes in choosing not to put these songs out there for the world to see on a timeline with my name on it.

Far as I can tell, there are two primary reasons that I hold back a song from being broadcast on my timeline.  Number one:  the lyrical content is in some way “inappropriate” (according to my personal criteria).  Basically, if the story is about sex, drugs, infidelity, drunkenness, or uses foul language (rare, if not non-existent in 1973, due to FCC regulations), I chose not to post it.  Number two:  lousy song.  Well, I know this is terribly subjective, and, truth be told, I posted some ‘weak’ songs just because they were somehow emblematic of the time period.  Essentially, though, if I didn’t remember the song in the first place and/or I never cared for it, no posting.

So, let’s take a quick look at those 23 offending songs from 1973!

{PRODUCTION NOTE:  I considered making the titles links to a corresponding YouTube video, but decided if I rejected these for my Facebook timeline, why would I make it easy for you to get to them from here?  You are perfectly capable of searching for these songs on YouTube yourownself.}

“Let’s Get It On,” Marvin Gaye ~ not sure I need to explain; title makes Marvin’s recommendation abundantly clear; and the phrase still means the same thing 43 years hence.  In 2016, the song might be called “Let’s Hook Up.”

“Touch Me in the Morning,” Diana Ross ~ I will admit the little devil and angel on my shoulders had a lengthy tug of war over this one.  Musically, this song is beautiful, and Diana’s voice is in its prime here.  Also, the song could be about a married couple, although that is never made clear.  Regardless, the song is undeniably sexy, which is not particularly a bad thing in itself; but it is just so sad.  They are breaking up.  No fun.

“The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” Vicki Lawrence ~ OK. Popular song!  But it is a tremendously sad story about infidelity, murder, and injustice.  Just… too sad.

“Playground in My Mind,” Clint Holmes ~ Sorry.  This song has always baffled me a bit.  Is he confessing to schizophrenia?  I don’t get it.  Weird.

“Brother Louie,” Stories ~ Nice story, actually; I guess.  I just don’t like this guy’s voice too much.  Not a song I would voluntarily include in a playlist I thought I would ever have to hear.

“Me and Mrs. Jones,” Billy Paul ~ Celebrating infidelity.  It doesn’t get much more blatant than this.

“Little Willy,” Sweet ~ Wow.  Bubble-gum, early glam, hair band fluff.  Eww.

“Half Breed,” Cher ~ Somehow, I just… No. I’m sorry. Yuck.

“That Lady,” Isley Brothers ~ Nice, funky song, musically; and really just about a dude’s pursuit of a fine lady.  But, besides the essentially predatory nature of the story, when he gets to the line “if she’d just do what I say”…  well,… ya lost me, there.

“Pillow Talk,” Sylvia ~ ‘Nuf sed.

“We’re an American Band,” Grand Funk Railroad ~ Personally, I like this song.  I refrained from posting it on Facebook because it talks about using drugs and alcohol, and inviting girls to ‘party.’  Not all that wholesome.  But it rocks, musically.

“Right Place, Wrong Time,” Dr. John ~ Funky and quirky.  I admit, I would probably include this track on a playlist for occasional listening.  However, Dr. John is a bit of an acquired taste, if you catch my drift; and the subject matter of this song is, well, arcane.  What on earth?

“I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little Bit More,” Barry White ~ It’s Barry White.  Need I say more?  Seriously.

“Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose,” Tony Orlando and Dawn ~ Um. I guess it is just not my style.  What can I say?

“Monster Mash,” Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt Kickers ~ This was a revival of a novelty track.  In fact, it was the second revival for this song.  It was like a zombie song.  It wouldn’t die.  Fun, but, no thanks.

“Natural High,” Bloodstone ~ Yawn.  I do not remember this song.  Even when I found it on YouTube and played it.  Nope.  Don’t remember it.  Wake me up when it’s over.

“Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth),” George Harrison ~ OK. Everybody seems to love this song in nearly the same way they love Lennon’s “Imagine.”  Doesn’t do it for me.  I feel like we are supposed to go crazy over this song just because HE IS A BEATLE!  Not enough reason for me to like it.

“If You Want Me to Stay,” Sly and the Family Stone ~ I almost want to say, “Where did THIS song come from?”  I am a huge Sly fan; got several of his tracks on regular playlists.  But…  this one?  Don’t like it much.

“Daddy’s Home,” Jermaine Jackson ~ Sweet, I guess.  Maybe too sweet.  Makes me want to throw up.

“I’m Doing Fine Now,” New York City ~ Don’t remember this song at all.  Did not care for it when I found it on YouTube.

“Behind Closed Doors,” Charlie Rich ~ I confess.  When this song was on the radio, we would turn it up and sing along.  I was young.  I was about to get married.  I did not know that the entire pop music scene was about to get countrified.  Charlie has a nice voice.  It is about sex.  I am blushing.

“Oh, Babe, What Would You Say?” Hurricane Smith ~ What?  Who told this guy he could record that voice?  And HOW did this song make it to the charts?  I know, I know.  He had an “in” with Los Beatles.  But still.  No.

“I Believe in You,” Johnnie Taylor ~ This is an OK song, but I did not remember it particularly.  Doesn’t cause much “nostalgia” if you never heard the song before.

These are my stories, and I am sticking to them!  I suppose my intention is to more or less repeat this type of post approximately every fifty songs or so.  My suspicion is that I will have more songs to omit as I get closer to the present time, because the subject matter or language will put me off, and I am frankly less likely to know the songs in more recent Top 100 lists.

In any case, since apparently it takes about a month to get through fifty songs, that equates to two months per list (one list per year).  With 43 years worth to plug through, it will ostensibly take me seven years to get to the present year (2016), at which time it will be 2023, and I will need to fill the gap between 2017 and 2023!  >>>  smiley face  <<<