I am not a fan of "country music" because I often find it twangy and nasal and performed poorly. But I heard a song recently that has been around since 1972 that I really like. You may have known it for years but it was brand new to me.
Someone said many years ago that a great country song consists of three chords and the truth. That phrase is now inscribed on a wall of the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.
When brothers Harold Reid and Don Reid wrote the words that became "Class Of '57" they documented truth.
"Class Of '57"
Tommy's selling used cars, Nancy's fixing hair
Harvey runs a grocery store and Margaret doesn't care
Jerry drives a truck for Sears and Charlotte's on the make
And Paul sells life insurance and part-time real estate
Helen is a hostess, Frank works at the mill
Janet teaches grade school and prob'ly always will
Bob works for the city and Jack's in lab research
And Peggy plays organ at the Presbyterian Church
And the class of '57 had its dreams
Oh, we all thought we'd change the world with our great works and deeds
Or maybe we just thought the world would change to fit our needs
The class of '57 had its dreams
Betty runs a trailer park, Jan sells Tupperware
Randy's on an insane ward and Mary's on welfare
Charlie took a job with Ford and Joe took Freddie's wife
Charlotte took a millionaire and Freddie took his life
John is big in cattle, Ray is deep in debt
Where Mavis finally wound up is anybody's bet
Linda married Sonny, Brenda married me
And the class of all of us is just a part of history
And the class of '57 had its dreams
But living life day to day is never like it seems
Things get complicated when you get past eighteen
But the class of '57 had its dreams
Oh, the class of '57 had its dreams
(end of song)
Truth in blogging: I was not a part of the class of '57, I graduated in the class of '58. But the song resonated with me nevertheless. Apparently I have reached the age where what might be described as Nosalgia Porn is attractive. My date on the night we graduated actually was named Brenda, but she didn't marry me.
No matter when you graduated, I think every class has had its dreams, and every class looks back with a combination of fondness, accomplishment, failure, and regret.
What thinkest you?
To hear the song performed, and performed well, enter Class of 57 Brothers Of The Heart into your favorite (British, favourite) search engine.
The Statler Brothers were one of my favorites. You should listen to Whatever Happened To Randolph Scott.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the Statler Brothers, I heard Jimmy Fortune say recently that Harold Reid was actually Class of ‘55 but he made the song ‘57 to get the rhythm right, and also that according to Harold every person in that song was a real classmate of his in 1955 and every line actually happened. I checked Harold’s obituary online and his wife’s name was Brenda. Jimmy Fortune sang in the Statler Brothers quartet for nearly 20 years after Lee DeWitt died and is now a member of the group Brothers Of The Heart that I mentioned in the post. Thank you, Emma.
DeleteI'm high school class of '68. I have a group of girlfriends from that class and we get together once of month to share stories, laughs, and troubles. It's great to still be in touch with each other.
ReplyDeleteYou are very fortunate to have been able to stay in touch with your friends all through the years. I attended only one reunion, the 30th in 1988, and speak very occasionally with only three of my old classmates. Less than half of my class is still with us.Thank you, Ellen.
DeleteI was class of 88. I didnt have huge dreams, travel, kids, a nice husband.
ReplyDeleteWell, I picked the wrong husband, the kids were more in number than I expected and still exceed my expectations in terms of joy.
I'll never travel as I had hoped. I have never had a career but I have done more things and lived a more interesting life than I had ever dreamed. Hopefully that continues
That line in one of John Lennon's songs is true: Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. Thank you, kylie.
DeleteI remember this tune and liked it. I did graduate in 1957.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was a little older than you. I guess I am a little younger. Thank you, Red (Keith).
DeleteI've never heard that song, but it rings so true. Life gets in the way of dreams.
ReplyDeleteAccording to that song that made Susan Boyle famous, "life has killed the dream I dreamed." I sincerely hope that it's not quite that dire. Thank you, Janice.
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