Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Rings (1971)

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

 

1) This song is about a young man who is happy to hear his phone ring. How about you? How do you feel when your phone rings? (Excited, annoyed, surprised, etc.) Depends on which phone. Hearing my cell ring annoys me because it's either spam or a friend who doesn't recall that you should text me on one line and call on the other. I prefer the landline for conversations because the call quality is so much better. When my landline rings, I have a more positive feeling because it's likely someone I want to talk to. 

 

2) He's got James Taylor on the stereo. Are you a James Taylor fan? Yes. I don't listen to him all the time, but when I'm in the mood he hits the spot.

 

3) He tells his girl he's been hanging with his buddies, Tony and Mario, but they're no substitute for her. What friend did you recently spend time with? What did you do? I spent Thursday afternoon touring a local architectural landmark with my friend Gregory.

 

4) Tony and Mario were real people. They ran a restaurant frequented by the songwriters. Did you dine out this past week? I got pizza to go on Wednesday and dined in on Thursday.

 

5) "Rings" is the only hit for the band Cymarron, who hailed from Memphis, a town known for classic southern comfort foods like biscuits and gravy, cornbread and mashed potatoes. What's on the menu at your home this weekend? I'd like to pick up some barbecue this weekend, if I get around to it.

 

6)  The boys in Cymarron took their name from their favorite TV show, the Western Cimarron Strip. What TV show are you currently enjoying? Maybe your fellow Sat9ers would like it, too. Modern Family. Yeah, I know it had its series finale 5 years ago, but I just recently discovered it. It's not only funny, it has diversity and heart. It's the family I wish I was part of.

 

 

 

7) In 1971, when this song was popular, the US Mint introduced the Eisenhower Silver Dollar. Is there any change in your wallet or pocket right now? Yes. About 45¢ in dimes and nickels only. (I put pennies in the piggy bank and quarters in the beer stein for laundry.)

 
8) Also in 1971, Mattel introduced Malibu Barbie, the doll with a tan. Have you ever used a tanning bed? Oh, golly, I did it back in the 90s. The man I was seeing back then confessed that he found tanlines sexy and so I resolved to get me some, even though I am excruciatingly pale and don't tan. So I bought several 20 minute sessions in one of those awful things, listening to tunes and trying unsuccessfully to relax. Ah, the things we do for love!

 

9) Random question – If we were to ask your friends, which of these qualities would they say they like best about you: your warmth, your sense of humor, or your intelligence? Probably my humor.