The clock radio in the hotel room Rachel and I shared in San Francisco last month didn’t have very good reception. (And the room didn’t have heat but that’s another story.) So we had to call in maintenance to come fix that radio and when the guy finally showed up after a second emergency call, he repaired it by expertly twisting the wire antenna around the bedside lamp. I mean, I coulda done that. Which is what I’ve heard some folks say about Jackson Pollak’s work and to which I say, but you didn’t, did you? So three cheers for maintenance men!
Each morning, I put on the radio to the only station that actually played with a semblance of clarity, offering up an odd combination of smooooooooth jaaaaaaaazz and hits from the 70’s and 80’s. It was fun to gag at make fun of Kenny G and then alternately sing along with Rupert Holmes. Who doesn’t like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain, for God’s sake? Of course, Rachel knew words to some of the most obscure stuff, songs to which I knew the melody but not the words. She was really good. And I let her have her moment in the spotlight, there in our hotel room as we prepared for another adventure, without judgment.
But let me tell you that when we were in the cab on our way to Foreign Cinema and “Same Old Lang Syne” came on, she did not give me the same respect. No. She. Did. Not. What she did was this:
That’s right: She laughed at me. She laughed at me for knowing all the lyrics and for singing this song with the conviction it deserves. I know, I know, she looks really good laughing at me but she had no right!
(That’s her…still laughing. Clearly, she never bought a six pack at the liquor store and drank it in her car with her old lover.)
And now I learn that poor Dan Fogelberg is dead. I’m very sorry at his untimely passing. It’s not right. But—not to disrespect the deceased—it happens to work to my advantage because I’ve been vindicated in an obituary. Mario Tarradell of the Dallas Morning News wrote this:
“Mr. Fogelberg’s best writing breathes in ‘Lang Syne.’ The song’s lovely yet melancholy melody provides the perfect cushion for the vivid words. Upon bumping into an old girlfriend at a grocery store, a conversation ensues. Time has brought them back together, but they aren’t as they were when the fire first flickered inside them.”
You know, the fire? Flickering inside them? Nice work, Mario. Anyway, tonight, I’m singing my heart out. And I’m not apologizing for it neither, because this song? It’s awesome.
Met my old lover in the gro-cery store,
The snow was falling christmas EEE-ee-eve.
I stole beHINd her in the fROzen foods,
And I tOUCHed her ON the slEEE-eve
13 responses so far ↓
1 Mrs. G. // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:27 am
Love this song…missing Dan (and the tender kisses he inspired) for sure.
I sure like your blog. And I must tell you that all your racy comments on mine tickle my kids…I think my son may have a crush on you. But, for God’s sake, don’t mention this in any of your future comments or I’m a dead woman.
2 Aaryn // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:39 am
Oh, Mrs. G! I had no idea that Boy G and Ms. G read your fan-club feedback. I’m dying! Those kids can concentrate if they stick around for the hordes of people that leave comments for you. Tell you what, I’ll try to tone it down if you’ll agree to go easy on my libido with all of your steamy essays and photos. Deal? I didn’t think so. Just tell your boy that I’m old enough to be his grandmother.
And PS: I adore your blog. It’s the best thing I’ve found since I discovered Dooce. You’re equally as good, obviously in a different way. A very good different way.
3 Melanie // Dec 19, 2007 at 3:56 am
One of my very favorite songs this time of year. I know all the words too
..i would have totally jumped in and sung with you..
4 Moxy Jane // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Aaryn,
I loved this post…and I’m sorry to say that I am not at all familiar with this song…thanks for posting it. And oh, how I miss San Francisco!!
(I found you on Mrs. G’s blog…your comments always made me giggle, so I just HAD to track you down…it does feel a bit like stalking, but in a pleasant, admiring way…I promise!)
5 dramamath // Dec 19, 2007 at 2:04 pm
His death his my area hard…he was a Peoria boy (his song Leader of the Band was written for his father, a local high school band director). His ability to bend a melody and create such intricate lyrics will be missed.
6 tina cockburn // Dec 19, 2007 at 4:39 pm
I’m a huge Dan Fogelberg fan, too. I cut my singing teeth on those two songs he was so famous for. Even as a young girl, I totally got the “Lang Syne” lyrics and the their meaning. And “Leader” almost always made me cry since I was never close with my own father.
I gasped and nearly cried when I heard he passed. RIP, Dan.
7 Notanun // Dec 20, 2007 at 12:04 am
I said a prayer for Dan Fogarty myself. I heard about his prostate cancer a year or so ago on the Prostate Cancer and Intamacy list. I was sad to hear he was assigned to the club no one wants to join.
We’ve had a five year up-close and personal association with prostate cancer. It isn’t for sissies. Living with the spectre of the big C pales in comparison to the aftermath of radical prostatectomy. Surviving recovery is a daily chore. Bye, Dan. I loved your tunes.
8 Anonymous // Dec 20, 2007 at 10:23 am
Does this mean you’re gonna load up your iPod with DF tunes for our time in Idyllwild? Please, dear god, noooooooooo…!
–Rachel’s Better Half
9 charmednblum // Dec 21, 2007 at 10:23 am
i love this song too… it makes me all goosebumpy for some reason. Sing on sister!!
10 Kerry // Dec 21, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Great post- love the ending. Sweet pics, too!
11 dramamath // Dec 22, 2007 at 7:48 am
Here is a link to the story behind the song…
http://pjstar.com/stories/122207/PHI_BF98B7KI.054.php
12 Professor J // Dec 22, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Thanks for the post. I miss him, too.
13 Aaryn // Dec 22, 2007 at 5:52 pm
With no disrespect to y’all…I wasn’t exactly a Fogelberg afficionado. This just happens to be one of those songs that I know the words to and brings back fond silly memories. I do like it, though, being the sorry romantic that I am. But a DF fan, I am not.
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