Saturday 9: Standing on the Corner (1956)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) In this song, four friends congregate on Main Street to look longingly at pretty girls. In your town, where is the best place for people watching? There's a bench on the corner in the "main drag" of my neighborhood. From there you can see the parking lot/bike rack, the sandwich shop, the running store, and the former hat shop that will soon be a stationery store. It's just up the street from the bank and law/medical offices, the movie theater, restaurants, bakery, book store and other shops. I think eventually everyone in town walks past that bench.
2) This song was written for the Broadway musical, The Most Happy Fella. Who is the happiest person you know? That would be Mindy. She always sees the best in everyone. I'm glad that her both of her sons are now on track, and that she was able to enjoy what looked like a terrific vacation with her oldest son (who now works in Europe), his girlfriend, and husband as they toured Italy. She deserves only good things because she's such a happy, positive person.
3) The members of The Four Lads met at Toronto's St. Michael's Choir School. Growing up, did you attend parochial or public school? I was a public.
4) The Four Lads always wore jackets and ties when they performed. Do you enjoying dressing up? Or would you rather keep it casual? I HATE DRESSING UP! I enjoy looking at other people when they're all duded up (I especially like seeing men in ties and jackets), but I don't enjoy it for myself.
5) While this song was a hit for The Four Lads, they were completely overshadowed in 1956 by Elvis Presley and "Heartbreak Hotel." Who do you think dominates today's music scene? Queen Bey. I'm not a fan, but I certainly don't begrudge Beyonce her talent and influence.
6) The Wizard of Oz aired on TV for the first time in 1956. Sam was never crazy about those flying monkeys. Tell us about something that frightened you when you were a kid. The theme of Perry Mason. I would literally run away from the TV when I heard this.
7) What scares you now? That a portion of the country will agree that Donald Trump is somehow above the law, and our President will force a Constitutional crisis and tear the nation apart. I don't believe that will happen. I lived through Watergate and I've seen our system work. But I fear Mr. Trump. I mean, just this week we learned that in the run-up to the 2016 election he stood by a fraudulent health disclosure form and paid a porn star for her silence. He lies, decries "fake news," and somehow 1/3 of the country believes. Scary.
8) Since this week's song is about pretty girls: 1956's Miss America was Sharon Ritchie of Colorado. Today Colorado has the distinction of being the home of more microbreweries than any other state in the union. Which are you most particular about -- your beer, your wine, or your coffee? Beer, I guess, because I hate coffee and can no longer drink wine. I'm particular about my beer, but my tastes are lowbrow. I prefer Miller Lite. I'll take Bud Lite if I have to. Not crazy about the premium light beers.
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| I'm on the left |
My whole family used to be glued to the TV when Perry Mason came on.
ReplyDeleteI'm sort of jealous that you live someplace where there is going to be a real stationary shop. And that you have a bookstore.
ReplyDeleteMy parents watched Perry Mason, too. I think the music from Twilight Zone scared me. You can always tell where my husband sat, too.
ReplyDeleteI would spend a lot of time on that bench.
ReplyDeleteI never thought about Perry Mason as being scary. What you mentioned in #7 is pretty scary however.....
ReplyDeleteI sort of thought the Perry Mason theme was spooky, too. But I loved the show too much to let that keep me from watching.
ReplyDeleteYes, I lived through Watergate too, and really hope things work the way they should this time, just as they did then. But I'm a pessimist and I'm really worried. Strange days.