I was chatting with friends the other day about songs we love and that bring back memories. For example, “Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof was sung at Rick and my wedding because we grew up together. The song was one that would connect our parents’ memories. After that online conversation, I remembered more songs that bring memories flooding back.
1954 – “Oh My Papa” – Eddie Fisher – was popular when my dad went to Los Angeles to attend an intensive course in forensics that lasted a couple of weeks. Every time that song came on the radio, I cried. Oh, how I missed my daddy. (I was seven.)
1958 – “The Purple People Eater” – Sheb Wooley – I couldn’t get this one out of my head and sang it all the time. Catchy tune, ridiculous lyrics. Great fun as a singalong.
1959 – “Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko Bop” – Little Anthony and the Imperials – It was popular the year a farmer gave me two struggling winter lambs for my 4-H project. Shimmy-Shimmy didn’t make it, but Ko-Ko Bop eventually won a blue ribbon at the fair. Someone else had to show him because I was crying in his stall. I haven’t eaten lamb for years!
1963 – “I Want To Hold Your Hand” – The Beatles – Oh, let the good times roll when the high school girls in the locker room sang this at the top of their lungs. Brings back memories of good friends and good times.
1967 – “Light My Fire” – The Doors – This is more a song Rick remembers because it was a few nights before he flew to Vietnam. He was a Marine. He had the song blasting on the radio of his father’s Cougar, went up over the railroad tracks and flew into an ancient oak tree. How he survived is a miracle. The tree is still there and bears the scar of that flight. Thankfully, Rick walked away without any.
1969 – “Aquarius, Let the Sunshine In” – 5th Dimension – This, believe it or not, is Rick and my song! Not exactly what people expect from a Christian writer. We still love the song, and the fact that Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis, Jr., and Florence LaRue all became Christians, too.
1970 – “Who’ll Stop the Rain” – Credence Clearwater Revival – I’m thankful Rick returned home from Vietnam, though he suffers from Parkinson’s due to Agent Orange. I’m also thankful my brother survived his time as a POW during the Tet Offensive.
1972 – “I am Woman” – Helen Reddy – I am a woman, a God-designed amazing creation different, but no less, than a man.
1976 – US release – “Dancing Queen” -ABBA – Every time I hear this song I want to dance.
Ah, the sweet memories songs can bring, and there are new ones all the time. Which ones from your past mean the most to you?