Confession time: I’m a rock ‘n’ roll woman with a great big soft spot in my gooey gooey heart for 70’s and 80’s pop music.
I started listening to the radio when I was a kid. There was always music on the record player in our house (yes, vinyl, kids, I’m that old…) — James Taylor, Livingston Taylor, Jose Feliciano, Carole King, Neil Diamond, Cream… I don’t remember when I first realized that I liked some of it better than others, that I had preferences. And then I discovered pop radio, and that was me gone. I fell stone in love with The Moody Blues, the Captain and Tennille, Elton John, Blue Oyster Cult, the Five Man Electric Band. I would lay awake in bed at night sometimes and just… listen to Voices from The World Out There.
One of the best presents my folks ever gave me was a cube-shaped AM radio (made of white and red plastic) that mounted to my bike handlebars, so I could ride around the neighborhood singing along at the top of my lungs and terrorizing the neighbors. Now I have a car with windows that roll up, so it’s easier on those around me — but I still love to sing along to that music.
And for whatever reason, today I’m thinking of Maria Muldaur. Because honestly, what could be better to start off a Monday than romance in the desert? And I’m still a sucker for anything that sounds like there ought to be a bellydancer.
Enjoy.
Another good desert love song with a very 60s feel is Peaceful Easy Feeling by the Eagles. I still sing along with it. And thanks for Midnight at the Oasis. It was cool.
What a perfect soundtrack to my musings today! There’s an oasis with romance in my future, hurray. In other mail this morning, I learn my favorite gal has booked a 1950 Manor, a 24 foot restored vintage trailer, for a weekend retreat together. (The Shady Dell is a motel in southern Arizona that features restored Airstreams and such.) The one she picked out has wood paneling inside and a white picket fence around outside! Looking forward to it gives me a “peaceful easy feeling” indeed…
I read somewhere this weekend and now of course I can’t remember, about an interview Maria Muldaur did with Relix. Something about the number of people who tell her they were conceived to this song. I laughed out loud when I read it.
@ Rory — I laughed too, just now.
I was about 13 when I first heard this song, and I remember how my blink rate went up when I realized that You won’t need no camel when I take you for a ride was probably about sex!. I had no idea you could do that on the radio (seriously…. those were different days, no?)
@ Jean — Yay, hurray for romance. I hope you and FG have a lovely time!
@ Barbara — My favorite sing-along-behind-closed-windows Eagles song is “Take the Money and Run,” don’t know why…
Uh oh. I feel a whole new series of posts coming on. Music and memories. I’ll try not to get too boring.
I’m catching up on old posts from my vacation period, and skimming over this I did a double take as I read “King Diamond” in your list and had a WTF moment.
King Diamond! *laughing* He would certainly have altered the musical balance at our house.