Saturday 9

Saturday 9: A Little in Love (1980)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) Do you believe you can be a little in love? Or is romance an all-or-nothing proposition for you? I get crushes all the time. I think of that as being "a little in love."

 

2) Cliff Richard sings that he knows it's been a long time since you had fun. Is that true? When have you recently had a really good time? What were you doing? Last weekend my movie group got together for Noir City Chicago, a film noir festival at the Music Box Theater. Festival founder/TCM host Eddie Muller signed my copy of his book Dark City Dames. You could say I'm a little in love with Eddie.

 

3) Cliff was born in India when it was still part of the UK. When he was 8, his family relocated to Tilbury, an English port town. Have you ever lived near the sea? Nope. I don't think I want to, either. My friend Henry lived in Key West and while I enjoyed visiting him, I also heard many difficult stories about enduring the aftermath Hurricanes Irene and Irma and Wilma. I'll stay here in Chicagoland with our friendlier fresh water Lake Michigan.

 

4) In 1958, Cliff became a star in England. He was so influential that young John Lennon said he dreamed someday the Beatles would be as big as Cliff Richard. Yet for some reason, he was never as popular here in the US. Before today, had you ever heard of Cliff Richard? Yes. As a Beatlemaniac, I often read about his path crossing with that of The Fab Four. I don't recall all the details, but I think Cliff resented how unavailable Abbey Road studios were once the Beatles hit it big and their sessions were considered a priority over his. 

 

5) 1980 was Cliff's most successful year stateside. Both "A Little in Love" and his duet with Olivia Newton-John, "Suddenly," made the Top 10. Do you have a favorite Olivia Newton-John song? I have good memories attached to this song. "Spare me all your charms and take me in your arms ..."

 

   

 

6) Cliff was once "a little in love" himself. He had a high-profile romance with British pro tennis player Sue Barker. They contemplated marriage, but in his memoir Cliff admitted he wasn't ready to commit the rest of his life to her. Cliff never married but Sue went on to wed landscape gardener Lance Tankard. Have you ever employed a gardener? Or do you handle all the yard work yourself? I live in a multi-unit building with a tiny front yard. A landscaper comes every now and again, but one of the unitowners goes out and waters in between.

 

7) In 1980, when we were enjoying "A Little in Love" on the radio, Macaulay Culkin was born. He became famous for the Home Alone franchise. Have you seen any Home Alone movies? Nope.

 
8) 1980 also gave us the Post-It Note. Today they are available in a variety of sizes and colors, but the original 4"x4" canary yellow Post-Its are still the best seller. Would we find Post-Its in your home or office right now? Yes. I've got a pad of yellow ones in the kitchen.

 

9) Random question – You're having a crummy day. Nothing is going right. You run into a casual friend in the grocery store aisle. As you chat, do you think your mood would be obvious? Or could you successfully put on a happy face? My casual acquaintance would come away believing I was fine. People who read my blog often get a more realistic window into what's going on with me.