I have been posting music diaries here at Daily Kos, for a while, since the 18th of September, 2022.
www.dailykos.com/…
I posted a diary, a few weeks ago, and it got a nice reaction. That diary had classical music, and pop music, from many different decades. That whole experience, inspired me to start a series of diaries, posting each Sunday afternoon, when I am able to do so. I decided to post YouTube videos of the top ten hits, of each year, starting with the year I was born, 1955.
I started with Music of 1955, and posted hit songs every Sunday, until I got to the Music of 2023.
Then I went back to the Music of 1950.
Last week I posted the Music of 1954.
Before I start again with the year I was born, 1955, I decided to change it up a little.
I decided to post a diary of road songs.
I was around 55 years old, in 2010, when I suddenly realized that so many bands like to have a road song, a song that connects with the way that bands often go on tour.
Before I figured that out, so many songs made little sense to me.
Then I realized, “Oh, that’s the road song for that band! Now it all makes sense.”
So, now that I have rambled on about my long-time ignorance (I just figured that out, at the age of 55?), let’s have a few road songs, shall we?
Willie Nelson:
Great!
I looked him up, to see if he is still alive.
Yes!
en.wikipedia.org/…
Born |
Willie Hugh Nelson
April 29, 1933 (age 90) |
So, he turns 91 next month.
You want concert tickets?
www.stubhub.com/…
Ha!
The Allman Brothers Band:
www.bing.com/…
Well my father was a gambler down in Georgia
And he wound up on the wrong end of gun
And I was born in the back seat of a Greyhound bus
Rollin' down Highway 41
See, that is the kind of song I am talking about.
Why would anyone make up a crazy story like that?
Oh, I see, that would explain the desire to hit the road, after the show.
Silly, but it makes some kind of sense, if you just accept the idea that bands like to have a road song, and sing it loud, as if they mean it.
Ricky Nelson, from 1961:
www.bing.com/…
I've a pretty Seniorita waiting for me
Down in old Mexico
If you're ever in Alaska stop and see
My cute little Eskimo
Oh, my sweet Fraulien down in Berlin town
Makes my heart start to yearn
And my China doll down in old Hong Kong
Waits for my return
Pretty Polynesian baby over the sea
I remember the night
When we walked in the sands of the Waikiki
And I held you oh so tight.
Once again, such a crazy set of claims!
But, oh, just another road song, not to be taken seriously.
And yes, I noticed the misogyny, the treating women as sex objects for a man to use, as he sees fit.
Double standards of 1961.
Huey Lewis & The News:
I very seldom go to live concerts.
But this band, Huey Lewis & The News, performed at a free concert, in Houston, Texas.
They set up their stage on the Sam Houston Tollway, as a grand opening event, to celebrate the completion of that highway.
The stage was set up in the middle of the highway.
My first wife, Pam, and I were living in Houston at the time, so we went to see the show.
The original lyrics for the song do not include Houston, but, of course, they added Houston to the lyrics that day.
Chuck Berry:
After that song came out, the Beach boys copied it:
A judge agreed that the Beach Boys copied Chuck Berry.
All the royalties from that song went to Chuck Berry.
Then the Beach boys came up with a new road song:
The first part of that song is so relaxing.
The rest of it is okay, as well.
Bob Seger:
Okay, that song makes a road song into a sad song.
You can get into the sadness of that song and start to actually feel sorry for Bob Seger.
Wait a minute.
Was he making millions and millions of dollars, as he was singing that song?
Pretty silly, to feel sorry for him!
Ha!
Okay, one more song.
This one is not a road song.
This is a song I played a lot, about two years ago, right after my wife, Tonia, died.
She liked this kind of music.
This is a song about going home, and inviting friends, and enjoying a nice meal, and dancing, and warm interaction with friends:
Usher:
Okay!
Feel free to post any more road songs, or any songs you like, in the comments.
Hugs!