For those who know me, it will come as no surprise that I’m a fan of ’70s music. I have over 1500 songs on my iPod and would estimate that well over half of them were released between 1970 and 1979!
However, I’ve often wondered why? Is it because these songs are really that much better than those produced in the decades before or after? I’ve come to the conclusion that what makes a song special to someone are the memories associated with it. I particularly think that those songs we grew up with hold the most special memories of all. For me, the ’70s was a time when everything still seemed possible!
As a result, I’ve decided that, rather than just make a list of my favorite songs from the ’70s, I would write a post describing a memory associated with each song. I heard many of these songs through one of those plastic transistor radios mom had in the kitchen or dad had in the barn. Those of you who grew up on farms in rural Wisconsin during the ’70s know the kind of radio I’m talking about! One with only a single speaker that picked up primarily WSWW in Platteville or WDMP in Dodgeville!
However, every now and then, when the weather conditions were right and mom wasn’t listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on WSWW or dad wasn’t listening to the Farm Report on WDMP, you could turn the dial and pick up WLS in Chicago. And it was there I first heard those songs that still mean so much to me today!
So, periodically over the coming months, look for posts highlighting the songs and memories of my youth!
Lastly, there’s a song by Kenny Rodgers called Twenty Years Ago that, when I listen to it, always takes me back to the time I was a teenager growing up on a farm in the rural community of Cobb, Wisconsin. Although, in my case, it’s now more like 40 years ago! I’ve included the You Tube version here for your enjoyment!
As always, your feedback is appreciated!
The off white radio that sat on the yellow cart right underneath the red schoolhouse clock :)(I’m pretty visual :)). That radio held more than songs. One day when Mom was sewing the radio told all the kids to leave the room. Of course I didn’t and wouldn’t you know it, that was the day they decided to talk about how to tell your kids that there was no santa clause. Crushed!!
I never thought I would like Kenny Rogers’ song at all but listening Brad 1500 songs over and over (probably I haven’t heard all of them but in my time with Brad I’ve heard more music than the rest of my life) I grow to like some of them.
I’ve attached a link with my favorite. I post the version with the lyric because I believe that today –when relationships lean to instant and provisional with more friends in Facebook than anyone can handle– there is a simple, strong, and yet poetic statement about treasuring long time partnership.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuoiteacs5U
I wish that Brad and I can say this many years after but I also think this way about some of my relatives and friends.