Monday, April 11, 2011

a song from my past

This week (week 2 of her challenge/game) Jene is asking for a song from your childhood.

I’m not sure what age range she would place in the childhood period but I’m thinking it is preadolescence. My teen years have a completely different and larger set of songs.

One problem with this question is trying to remember details of my life then. Some of my songs would actually be theme songs to TV shows. The theme song of a favorite shows like Bonanza or The Lone Ranger can bring back memories with just a few notes.

Years can past and a song fades out until a popular act or movie comes along and covers the song. I guess they do that refresh because people like to reminisce. This happened to me when the Blues Brothers covered “Rawhide”.

I still don’t know if cowboys really called cows “doggies”. Keep them doggies rolling.





For me I’ll skip the Ponderosa, Silver, or those doggies and reach for

Rainbows
and
getting over them.




Don’t you wish you could fly?
Wish you had a yellow brick road to follow?

I enjoyed the “Wizard of Oz” as a kid and still do. I was never picked up by a tornado (I have seen them) and didn't really think that old nun was a witch, but I could easily relate to the Dorothy character in that movie. It’s about dreams, being scared, hope and wanting to go home.

Eric Clapton does a great cover of this song that has occasionally brought a tear to my eye. Since this is about childhood and I didn’t know of Eric Clapton until my teens, I’ll leave you with Judy’s version from the movie.




If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

20 comments:

OneStonedCrow said...

... when I read the title to the post the first song that sprang to mind is "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" ... a song I sang to my children too ...

lisleman said...

I have sung that one too but only to a young audience whose ears didn't know better. That one is a very universal one.

Bearmancartoons said...

On top of old smokey.

lisleman said...

That's an old one for sure. The updated (still old) parody "On Top of Spaghetti" describes my eating habits.
http://youtu.be/-JytbHDRG0U

thanks

Dwmatty said...

Over the Rainbow is a classic for anyone who grew up in our era. Even after years go by without hearing it, I can sing along and still know all the words.

Jene said...

Love this song, in all of its incarnations. I think that Kamakawiwo’ole’s version is my favorite, but there's something about the Judy Garland version that's just as special, especially when you get a recording that still has the cracks and pops of an old record. I've never heard the Eric Clapton version, I'm off to check it out right now!

Jene said...

"On Top of Spaghetti" was a big favorite of mine. I didn't know that it was a parody song until I was at least 12 or 13.

Barbara said...

Wizard of Oz is still one of my favorite movies. I didn't discover the books until I was grown and read them all with my kids. But I'm with you on Over the Rainbow - I've loved every version I've heard of it, and I don't think I can say that with any other song.

lisleman said...

It sure has a lasting quality to it and I think it will enjoyed for many years to come. thanks

lisleman said...

The great thing about the Kamakawiwo’ole version is how he seamlessly combined this song with "What a Wonderful World". Hope you enjoy Eric.

debbie_suburbsanity said...

I was in my teens before I would watch that without being terrified! I must have been a wimpy kid:)

lisleman said...

I enjoy most covers but I know many people like their "original" version which in some cases is not the original release of the song. For me it comes down to the singer's ability and their emotional energy. You have a good point about this song being covered so well. Did you ever hear Carly Simon's cover of it?

lisleman said...

I bet you didn't like the flying monkeys. That scene convinced me that I didn't want to be a scarecrow.

Jillsy Girl said...

Every time I hear this song, no matter who sings it, I get goosebumps. It's probably one of my all time favorites.

I've given it some thought while I've been sitting here and the three I came up with are "Supercalifragilistic" from Mary Poppins and "Do-Re-Mi" and "My Favorite Things", but pretty much any song from the Sound of Music.

lisleman said...

Looks like the hills are alive with the sound of music around you.
There are many many takes on this one over at youtube. Here's a good one - http://youtu.be/SJ_FWA4VjZA

unknownmami said...

It's a classic, sort of like you.

lisleman said...

thanks - I think - I wonder if I refer to my wife as a classic if that would taken as a compliment. Something tells me the wording might be risky. Well, you have me thinking and that's good.

secret agent woman said...

I believe cowboys called calves "dogies" not "doggies."

I love that song.

lisleman said...

Isn't that just an accent type thing and they would pronounce a little dog the same way? I can't say I've spent any time with a true cowboy so I really don't know.
Where have all the cowboys gone? -- Paula Cole

secret agent woman said...

My understanding is that it's a different word, although the origin is unclear.

Featured Post

Feedback can be amazing