5. Sister Sledge - Frankie
As I said earlier, my memory's not what it used to be. A lot of songs, they don't remind me of a specific incident in my life, but they do remind me of a feeling. Frankie by Sister Sledge reminds me of the summer of '85, when I'd just become a teenager. It was the perfect pop hit: sunshiny, doo-wop flavoured, finger-clicking, synchronised dancing joy. It was about young love in the summertime and here was I, a teenager at last, desperate to experience a little of that myself.
Of course, that didn't happen. There is the grey reality of most people's teenage years, most aptly summed up by Smiths songs, Heart's Alone and Jilted John (if you're lucky!)... and there is the Hollywood version we all aspire to. Frankie was part of the soundtrack to my Hollywood adolescence. You'd have loved that. I was played by Matthew Broderick, or maybe Michael J. Fox. And the summers went on forever...
Rest in peace, Joni Sledge. Thanks for the unreliable memories.
Summers (and years in general) did go on forever at that age. Time was measured in the gaps between editions of Top of the Pops and the weekends stretched eternally.
ReplyDeleteAnd now we're all just racing towards the grave... ;-)
DeleteRIP Joni indeed - So far 2017 has not been as brutal as last year so long may it continue. I think your musical memories are much more vivid when going back to your teens. I was in my mid-20s when this came out but I do remember it well as we were having a flat party so the purchase of one of those gatefold NOW albums was made (containing Frankie) and I seemed to get custody of it when we all went out separate ways. It was Now 5 and I think they are now up to about Now 95 (too many nows in that sentence). Lots of iconic pop hits from 1985 however, of the sunshiney variety.
ReplyDeleteLouise has bought Now 95 to help with her exercise routines. I lose weight when I listen to it... mostly from the tears I'm sobbing.
DeleteI can remember exactly when and where I purchased my 45s, 78s and LPs (but, sadly, that's about all!) ;-) I'm 100% in agreement with you - the songs from key periods in our lives recreate moods, sensations, memories, as if by magic. There was a piece on the news a couple of days ago about senior's care homes here beginning to distribute iPods loaded with music to residents with Alzheimer's disease to aid in their treatment. The connection between music and memory is quite amazing.
ReplyDeleteThat puts a lovely image into my head of aged punks in care homes rocking away to Anarchy In The UK in a few years time...
DeleteA nice post Rol and one we can all relate to
ReplyDeleteThanks, CC.
DeleteNot a song I'm all that fond of but another beautifully crafted post...and as CC says, one we can all relate to.
ReplyDeleteJC