Some days are Sunny, others are a B*tch

March 19th Music

March 19, 2022

Music related:1960's

Did/ do you enjoy R&B, Motown, Soul music, Garage Rock, the British Invasion, Country, Psychedelic rock, Folk Music, Boss Nova, or Reggae? Were your music choices influenced by peers, family or a desire to be different? The 60's brought about a lot of change that still influence us today. Even if you weren't born yet these music choices are still readily available to explore. If you're interested the link has some great background information on 60's music.

I was a teenager in the 1960’s and music was at the center of my life. Top forty music was playing in the cars and most of the kids my age were familiar with 3 chord melodies and simple lyrics. That is what the AM stations went for, if a song lasted more than 3 minutes, it didn’t get air time. Artists like Bob Dylan had some hits but a lot of his music didn’t get played. As the Vietnam War became more prominent in my life and my friends were going to war, I searched out protest music. That led me to music by Pete Seeger and Phil Ochs. I learned to appreciate blues music from my Mom who was a Sarah Vaughn, Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald fan, so I loved the blues also. I never was a big follower of country music although I married a country music fan but he also liked Motown and 60’s so we agreed on a station that played mellow rock. Then I discovered college stations that played alternative music. Music has been a constant adventure for me and I love a lot of newer sounds also but the 60’s and 70’s were special. So I can say I love it all, depends on my mood.


Mr. Piano man, an ocean dances
in your aquamarine eyes,
swimming might save me.
Or I could sink into oblivion.

Long fingers command keyboards.
Cole Porter tunes, Lady Day blues?
I’ll pretend cigarette smoke
brings lonely tears to my eyes.

My pain is for Sgt. Clare O’Reilly,
returned from World War Two,
killed in the popular "line of duty",
what remains in a pine box with a flag.

In the streets, confetti flies.
Strangers hug and kiss.
Happy for them, really I am.
I just want someone to love me.

Mr. Piano man, you should smile.
Read my lonely sapphire eyes.
I am drowning in self pity.
A lonely lady with too many martinis.

Time to rejoice, we are free
from hellish pain of this fight.
Living skeletons in camps have hope.
My Clare paid the ultimate price.

Have we finally learned,
the horrific price of war?
The death, destruction of innocent lives,
in the final tally, what was it for?

Mr. Piano man, don’t make me beg.
I can show a guy a good time.
Just watch my tongue lick red lips
I tease and caress the olive.

We can slip between cool covers.
I will close my eyes, as we gently kiss.
Taste the salt of my tears.
If I call you Clare, forgive me this.

By Kathie Stehr