Photo: Kitsume Espresso Bar/unsplash.com
To quote a line from “The Big Chill,” I’m not hung up on this completion thing.
I write song titles but no lyrics to go with them. There’s no music, so no need for a band, either.
Let’s just say that this hobby of mine is evolving.
For your listening, er, reading pleasure, 10 new song titles and some of the inspiration behind them:
“The Second Man on the Moon”: If you’re not first, you’re last. Or Buzz Aldrin.
“A Series of Successful Gestures”: Answer to the question, What is personality? That’s what F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in “The Great Gatsby.”
“Rocket Lincoln”: The 1970s was the age of daredevils, from Evel Knievel to Philippe Petit to the original Kenny Powers.
“Summer Soldiers”: Beginning typists are familiar with “These are the times that try men’s souls,” written by Thomas Paine during the American Revolution. The rest of it: ”The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
“Give Up, Muffin Top”: Snark worthy of The Smiths.
“Things You’re Supposed to Do”: In March 1992, I saw presidential candidate Bill Clinton on the campaign trail in Groton, Conn. Before making remarks outside, he mingled inside a general store, signing campaign posters on the wall. To no one in particular, he said he was told it was something he was supposed to do. Seven months later, he was the most powerful man in the world-elect.
“Drop Dead, Gorgeous”: It’s funny what a difference a simple little comma can make.
“Slow Voter”: I was a poll worker in November 2012, literally pulling back the curtain for voters. One of my neighbors took an inordinate amount of time casting his ballot.
“Rooting for the Record”: I once heard Tom Petty say that he paid for albums because he felt he was more invested in the music than if he just got freebies. That was back in the days when vinyl wasn’t nostalgic.
“Applebee’s, For Sure”: Our family vacation to Toronto included a stop at Niagara Falls, where a parking lot attendant told us that her favorite area restaurant was “Applebee’s, for sure.” This one goes out to her.
