Saturday 9

 Saturday 9: There'll Be Some Changes Made (1962)

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

1) In this song, Ann-Margret sings that she's going to change her way of living. If you could simply snap your fingers and change something in your life, what would it be? I would ditch my icky old carpeting and have hardwood floors instead. It's so hard to change your flooring when your home is full of furniture and stuff!

2) She tells us she's going to change her name. Have you ever changed your name, or asked people to refer to you differently? (Example: "Don't call me Betty anymore. I want to be Elizabeth.") No.

3) Ann-Margret was born Ann-Margret Olsson in Sweden and when was 5, her family moved to Winnetka, Illinois. She is fluent in both Swedish and English. When did you last converse in a language other than English? Never.

4) Olivia Newton-John was a big Ann-Margret fan. When she was cast in the movie Grease, Olivia asked that her character's name be changed from "Sandy Dumbrowski" to "Sandy Olsson" in tribute. Grease is one of the most profitable movies ever made. Have you seen it more than once? I've only ever seen the whole thing – start to finish – once. I've seen all the musical numbers several times though. 

5) Ann-Margret celebrated her 85th birthday earlier this year. Back in 2024, Ann-Margret told a reporter that she planned to celebrate her 83rd birthday with a spin on her motorcycle, a lavender Harley-Davidson. "I love speed," she explained. Do you always observe the speed limit? Or have you been known to zip along a little faster? I don't drive. 

6) This week's song was written in 1921 and over the last 100+ years it's been recorded more than 400 times. Before today, had you heard it? Yes.

7) The lyrics were written by William Weldon Higgins, who was better known as vaudeville comic Billy Higgins. When did you most recently laugh out loud? Friday afternoon at the card shop. My favorite co-worker, Zoey, always makes me laugh.

8) The music was composed by William Overstreet. In addition to writing music, he was a respected director at Chicago's Grand Theater. When did you last see a live performance (concert, play, etc.)? Seen? That would be Sir Paul last November at Chicago's United Center. But heard? That would be last week. There was a neighborhood fair with a local band and I could hear them when I had my windows open.

9) Random question: Do you have more or less than $20 cash in your wallet right now? More. I went to the bank on Friday to get $100 in fives and tens. Next week the junk removal guys are hauling away my current bedframe, mattress and box spring and my old, completely unusable 50-lb. TV. Then the next day, the furniture store is delivering and assembling my new mattress and bed. It will be about 90º both days and I want to be able to tip generously. Yeah, I've got a/c but it never gets that cool in here and what about when they leave my front stoop? To borrow from Donna Summer, these guys work hard for the money. Note to self: Pick up bottled water for them.

Here's my new bed. Isn't she lovely?