|
Ken Ortiz
Isn't it amazing how you react when you hear an old song that you know? Even if I hear a piece of a lyric, or a part of a beat (a "sick beat" according to Taylor Swift) that I remember, the whole song comes back to me. But that is not all, for example, one evening in September I was at my friendly neighborhood microbrew pub and that evening they were having Vinyl night. Someone brought a B52's album and when Rock Lobster came on (long version of course), that song possessed my body. Suddenly my head was banging, my hands were doing the keyboard riffs (and guitar licks), and I was ready to do my special Rock Lobster dance that I did when that song was in it's heyday. But I was able to regain control of my body before performing said dance (plus I needed a lot more area cleared than was there). Not sure I would have been physically able to do it either, but I would have given it a shot.
The point is that nowadays, when I hear certain old school jams (even pieces of them as I mentioned above), the vault (Seinfeld reference) inside my brain opens up and the lyrics, melodies and events at that time in my history come out and I embrace them fully. Which means I can't help but break out in song, with full passion and emotion and it is so exhilirating. The ones that have seen me in this state of release have nothing but positive things to say about my enthusiasm and passion (but not about my talent as a singer/dancer).
How many of you remember the first time you slow danced (not counting family members)? I was in 6th grade and that's when we started having birthday parties/social events that involved slow dancing with classmates and others. I just turned 11 (I was young for my grade) and it was with Betsy's (Betsy was in my class throughout grade school) cousin. Now her cousin was probably 10 but she was my height (as I was a shorty). I actually had a picture of us two dancing and it was so funny as I was holding her as far away as possible from me while we danced. But in the future, I warmed up to dancing close with the girls I slow danced with.
So, when I hear certain songs, especially some “old school” slow jams, those really bring me out and those lyrics that have been embedded in my mind vault for all those years come pouring out and I recall not only the song, but also memories of the people and events that were around when that song came out. And I just start breaking out singing those lyrics. Does hearing some of those old slow jams do the same for you? If I post a piece of an awesome slow jam, will it release memories buried in your mind? For a lot of these, I had either the 45, Album, Cassette, or heard it on the radio a lot, which is why I remember most if not all the lyrics.
So here is the first round of parts of awesome slow jams that I hope can stir some wailing and some of those old memories on your end:
"You and I must make a pack........we must bring salvation back........where there is love......." (sung by the Jackson 5)
"So let the sideshow begin.....hurry hurry.....step right on in.....can't afford to pass it by......guaranteed to make you cry......." (sung by Blue Magic)
"As time goes on.....I realize......just what you mean......to me.....and now......now that you're near...." (sung by Chicago)
"Once the sun comes out......and the rain has gone away.....I know I'm going to see.....a better day.....right now I think I'm crying.....baby cause of you I'm crying.....don't want you to see me cry.......let me go let me go let me go let me goooooo....." (sung by the Dramatics)
"There's a spark of magic in your eyes.....candyland appears each time you smile.....never thought that fairy tales came true.....but they come true.....when I'm near you....." (sung by the Stylistics)
"With music softly playing......her lips were gently saying.....honey, I love you....." (sung by the Moments)
"No one else can make me feel.....the colors that you bring....stay with me as we grow old and we will live each day in springtime....." (sung by Minnie Riperton, and also by Debbie Bailey at one of our Lane talent shows for which she got standing ovations)
"You want my love but you've never tried....yow....you know it's true but you try to hide...yeah...you turn down love like it's really bad.....yow....you can't give what you never had....yeah...." (sung by Earth, Wind and Fire and also was played at our senior prom)
"Would love me more than her.....cause I couldn't stand the pain......and I....would be sad if our new love......was in vain....." (sung by the Beatles)
"Well I don't have a diamond ring......I don't even have a song to sing......all I know is......." (sung by the Delfonics)
"Why do I feel this way.......thinking about you every day.....and I don't even know you......when I see you on the street.....my heart skips a beat...." (sung by Bloodstone)
"Why, oh why.......did you have to leave and....go away......oh yeah.......oh oh oh oh oh.....I've been used......to having someone to lean on.......and I'm-a lost......baby I'm a-lost.....ooooooo....." (sung by the Chi-lites)
"I remember finding out about you........everyday my mind is all around you.....looking out of my lonely room.......day after day......" (sung by Badfinger)
In the future I may post some more of these (if I get a good response), and feel free to add some of your own favorite and meaningful "slow jams". Some may be on my next list.
One last thing that I will address to the women here: Sometimes when I asked a girl (mostly in grade school) to slow dance, I would get a response like "I don't slow dance, but I will dance a fast one with you" or "I only slow dance with my boyfriend". You all were choosy even then about slow dancing?
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
