It was 1972...

...or thereabouts. I was very young but still obtained an album (that's what we called them back then) called K-tel 20 Power Hits - Volume 2. 

I'm pretty sure it was gifted to me, probably from my mother because of one of the songs on it; however, she clearly had no idea about one or two of the other tunes that probably a girl my age shouldn't have heard (maybe). I actually believe it was a Christmas gift, more than likely to play on a new record player (that's what we called them back then, too).

The reason this came back into my orbit is that I heard a song the other day on Sirius XM radio called Green-Eyed Lady by a group called Sugarloaf. Then one thing led to another as it usually does, I went down the rabbit hole of nostalgia and remembered the song was on the above mentioned album. It's a song I remembered before all of the others came rushing back to me (or before I actually did a Google and Youtube search, too).

K-tel (Kieves Television) was a recording label and did compilation albums back then of hit music, and apparently it's still in existence today. According to an overview, it was known as the "Spotify of their Era" (mostly of the 1970s and 1980s). 

While I won't list the songs, I will share three of them (via Youtube) that might give a glimpse into the time and how this one album influenced a young girl. 

Peace Will Come by Melanie. Boy, how the words resonate even today, and did it ever shape me. Someone made a comment, "Melanie was the flower child in all of us", and with this song that is true for me. I grew up understanding and feeling these words, interpreting them in my own way. I recall sitting cross-legged in clover fields making clover garlands and crowns for my hair (great luck if a four-leafed one was found); and drawing peace signs with the BIC four color (red, black, blue, green) retractable pens in my notebooks. And I just remembered the pens as I wrote this. Google them...no doubt there is info out there. 

The other songs shared from this album, Shakin All Over by the Guess Who because it's a fun song and so definitive of the 1960s. The other is from the Partridge Family (Doesn't Somebody Want to be Wanted) because I watched the television show, so why not? And I like the song.

Oh, how I wish I still had this album, simply for nostalgia's sake, and I like a great many of the songs on it.  A full list of the tracks can be found online. As always, thanks for reading this blog. 

It was 1978 or so...

When you were a teenager and you had your driver's license....the volume was up on the radio in that car. It meant freedom. This song was playing at some point. The windows were probably rolled down, too (we didn't push buttons to do this back then).  Heatwave's 'The Groove Line'.

Then Homecoming Dances in the fall (maybe prom, as well, but I was still too young to attend those)...the second song was a slow dance feature. Decades later and nostalgia rules as it always does. 'Always and Forever' by Heatwave.

Valentine's Day

 For those of us who kept them, wrote in them

When we were young

And decades later.

Written words formed from shyness, sadness, awkwardness 

Introverted, quiet, expressive, artistic.

Conveying thoughts, revelations, anger

Love, sadness, ideas, creativity, happiness.

Misunderstood, unrequited, forlorn

Release, emotions, low and high.

Diary or Journal

Hidden away

Hoping no one ever found them.

Happy Valentine's Day (for those who recognize the day, and those who simply write about it). 🩷

MollyBoy TV

 Edited for Disclaimer: March 2, 2026. Since I initially published this post, I've learned that perhaps the person running MollyBoy TV is either taking a break from this channel, and/or is starting another channel of interest and redirecting. At any rate, this post is NOT an endorsement of donating funds to him or to any influencer, for that matter. As always, take caution with your personal interactions. I published this post due to the enjoyment of watching his reactions to music that was relevant to myself and my generation, nothing else...and it was free. No funds, fees, or costs.. Thanks for reading. 

In my April blog post (Thrifting's Revival), I briefly mentioned how I'd gone down the rabbit hole of watching reaction videos/reels of a younger generation listening to music (from my generation) for the first time. I don't have a Youtube account (if I did, I'd subscribe to his channel) but there is one I do watch there regularly. 

MollyBoy TV is a young man from the United Kingdom. That's all I really know about him, other than the fact that he brings a breath of fresh air and genuineness to what he does. And that's reacting to music he's hearing for the first time. His facial reactions are glorious to watch, and he's also very knowledgeable. But what is so nice to see is a younger generation of individuals discovering for the first time music that was so important and relevant to me (often when I was his age or even younger). Great music and a greater appreciation for it. It appears he has many subscribers of my age bracket; perhaps it allows for a connection somehow that has gone missing. Music is a lifeline. It heals, soothes, supports, offers an understanding, and is open to interpretation. 

If I could offer song ideas to him, some would probably be: 

Journey: Any but particularly "Lights", or "When You Love a Woman", or "Wheel in the Sky", or "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin"

Anything from my blogpost of October 19, 2021 (The Playlist of My Youth). This can be viewed by clicking the highlighted link, or searching for the word 'playlist' in the search bar on the front page. I've even shared a few Youtube songs/clips throughout this blog (some have been removed, however, which I don't really understand since sharing is allowed here and no money is made).

And just for fun, I'd like to see his first listen to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" because his facial reactions would be off the charts and quite entertaining alone. 😊

Check out MollyBoy TV and subscribe to his channel if you're on Youtube. I'm so happy to have discovered it. Sharing one of his clips below; it can link you to his full channel. 

Firefall

 I saw Firefall in concert several years ago in Snowmass, Colorado. It was during a visit to Aspen that fortunately coincided with seeing these guys perform. I remember it being a beautiful evening outdoors, everyone sat on lawn chairs or blankets; it was cool enough to need a jacket while watching a gorgeous sunset behind views that were forever. The icing was seeing a band from my younger days. 

Sharing. 'Just Remember I Love You' and 'Cinderella'.

ABBA and the Bee Gees

 I came of age with ABBA. When I was in high school, their songs were getting played on the radio and I became aware of them even though they had been around a little longer. When I was in college, some of my girlfriends and I drove to Florida for spring break and ABBA's music was everywhere. It is what I think of first when I recall that trip. 

Their music brings such wonderful memories for me; one can say nostalgia is in overdrive when I hear one of their songs and I probably know the words to most, if not all, of them. Last year, I saw 'ABBA Voyage' at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, and a couple of years ago those same girlfriends from college and I got together for an ABBA tribute band concert. Add the stage productions and movies of 'Mamma Mia', and well, I continue to attend anything ABBA related. I probably always will. Their music gets me dancing and singing. Most importantly, it's music that makes me happy. 

The Bee Gees had hits before I discovered them, too. The movie, 'Saturday Night Fever', revealed their music to me and I've loved them ever since. Feeling nostalgic today.

Sharing a couple. 

It was 1982...

 

From the 1982 archives...I was in college and working at a radio station. The first photo is marked April of 1982 and was taken by a fellow photography student. I was sitting in the University Center between classes. On the table in front of me are a cup (probably Coca Cola, as it would be a few years before I turned strictly to Diet Coke), a salt (or pepper) shaker, a couple of text books, and something dark which could've been my tripod. Without a doubt, my camera was just out of the frame and nearby. Of course early 80s hair, along with triple pierced earlobes (most of which have grown closed), and overalls of the era. Of course it's a black and white photo, but I remember those overalls very clearly. They were pink! I was probably wearing my pink Chuck Taylor Converse high tops to match.  I'm certain I had a sketch book with me, as well. This image pretty much defined me at the time. 

The second photograph is of the same timeframe although it isn't dated; however, the years coincide.  I'm in the production room of the radio station where I worked, and I've no idea what I was doing...maybe a VoiceOver for a commercial. Oh, to say...rising with a bullet on the Billboard Charts again. I suppose only radio people would understand that statement.

Finally, the songs below came out around 1982 and were definitely playing on that radio station. To remember the young girl in these photos listening to them at the time...nostalgia.

Songs You Remember

Once again, I'm sharing a couple of songs that bring nostalgia for my early days. Good ones. I was a new mom in the early 1990s. Both of these were released at that time around 1992 and 1993 (I think). Check out the lyrics. 

Neil Young's 'Harvest Moon'; 'Ordinary World' by Duran Duran. 

Lights...and More

 It's a Journey kind of day. I do believe that Steve Perry (of Journey), the late Karen Carpenter, and the late Freddie Mercury (of Queen) were blessed with the most beautiful voices I've ever heard, especially for their genres of music. 

Wishing the best weekend for all. 

Part of the Plan...and a 13th

 January 2025. It marks the thirteenth anniversary of this blog. Some of the posts I've shared over the years are nothing but silly drivel; some are creative in content and nature (sharing my books of fiction, sad attempts at poetry, my photography and paintings, plus everything related to all of it); some posts are thoughts of the moment, memories, nostalgia, Youtube videos; while some dive deeper into what might be going on outside of my own life. I don't write about the latter much anymore because of the divisive nature and ugliness shown, but I wish that I could. Maybe someday.

So this anniversary post contains some New Year's resolutions of sorts. I hold myself accountable for all of them and plan to do better, but there are so many people that I personally know (and of course those I don't!) who should be accountable, as well. We can all do better.

♥︎ Be Accountable. If you make a mistake, own it. 

♥︎ Remember. Remember those in your life because someday they won't be in your life anymore; someday your own memory could diminish, too, where it's impossible to recall those memories that are so very important. Everyone gets old...if we're lucky. 

♥︎ Show kindness. Showing anything but is only a poor reflection on you. 

♥︎ Respond to communication. I'm slow at responding to emails but I always eventually respond, and phone calls aren't always convenient. Text messages were supposed to make communicating easier and quicker...but it seems it's gotten easier to just ignore those.  It really seems rude and thoughtless. 

♥︎ Show patience. With life, goals, and with people. 

♥︎ Hold yourself to the same standards you set for others; and set the standards equally for everyone if you set them. 

♥︎ Don't engage in suppressing or repressing others' thoughts and their need to express them. Listen with respect, whether you agree with them or not. 

♥︎ Think. Stop following like sheep especially if it goes against logic, knowledge and common sense. 

The remainder of this post contain the lyrics and video of Part of the Plan, a great song written and performed by the late Dan Fogelberg. He sings 'One Day We'll All Understand'...I'm still waiting to understand life, but it is less foggy than it used to be.

As always, thanks to all who continue to read what I share here. 

Part of the Plan

Music and Lyrics by Dan Fogelberg

I have these moments all steady and strong
I'm feeling so holy and humble
The next thing I know, I'm all worried and weak
And I feel myself starting to crumble

The meanings get lost, and the teachings get tossed
And you don't know what you're gonna do next
You wait for the sun but it never quite comes

Some kind of message comes through to you
Some kind of message comes through
And it says to you

Love when you can
Cry when you have to
Be who you must
That's a part of the plan
Await your arrival
With simple survival and

One day, we'll all understand
One day, we'll all understand
One day, we'll all understand

I had a woman who gave me her soul
But I wasn't ready to take it
Her heart was so fragile and heavy to hold
And I was afraid I might break it

Your conscience awakes and you see your mistakes
And you wish someone would buy your confessions
The days miss their mark, and the night gets so dark

And some kind of message comes through to you
Some kind of message shoots through
And it says to you

Love when you can
Cry when you have to
Be who you must
That's a part of the plan
Await your arrival
With simple survival and

One day, we'll all understand
One day, we'll all understand
One day, we'll all understand

There is no Eden or heavenly gates
That you're gonna make it to one day
But all of the answers you seek can be found
In the dreams that you dream on the way

JD Souther

 I once briefly met John David (JD) Souther. He was very gracious and kind. May he rest in peace.

J.D. Souther, American Singer/Songwriter

November 2, 1945 - September 17, 2024

Sea of Love

 Robert Plant's The Honeydrippers...Sea of Love

Another good one to share and reminisce over. 

Just Because...

 Just because...and it's a great song.

The Moody Blues ~  Lovely to See You

Third of June...

 Growing up in the south at the time I did, one knew this song. The imagery and lyrics were lived; the voice was as familiar as our own mamas and next door neighbors calling us to eat dinner (not lunch, and supper was later). The haunting music and storyline leave all listeners (southern or not) guessing at the meaning. 

Why did Billie Joe jump? What exactly did they throw off that bridge?

We wondered about the answers, coming up with our own guesses to make it fit while listening to the song on the radio...windows rolled down in the old car, dust kicking up from the tires as the hot, thick air of summer arrived and ultimately overstayed its welcome. Guesses didn't make facts. 

Only Bobbie Gentry knows the answers. 

"It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day..."

'Ode to Billie Joe' ~ Written and Performed by Bobbie Gentry

The Funky Broadway

 I just recently discovered there was/is a dance called 'The Funky Broadway' from the 1960s...sort of like the 'Hustle' of the 1970s. Dances that involved certain moves, performed in groups for fun. Think Bump, Twist, Charleston, Line, Square, Shimmy, Robot, Swing, etc. Each had its own era. But 'The Funky Broadway'? 

A Netflix documentary of the musical group Cowsills included a song of theirs that played over the closing credits. It's called 'Some Good Years' and it's a great, great song! Having never heard of it, I watched the Youtube video. Not only was I mesmerized by the song, I was amazed at the dancing moves of the youngest band member, Susan. While I assumed she was a naturally talented dancer at around eight years of age, she was actually dancing 'The Funky Broadway' which was apparently dance moves that originated to a song of the same name. I guess. I just read the comments sometimes. Anyway, the group's history is a somewhat tragic one, so this wonderful song seems a bit of a surprise. 

I thought I'd share the song below; while the quality of the video isn't great, the song is perfect. Be impressed by the various clips of a young Susan's dance moves. 

Continuing from the Last Post...

 She continues to trend. Karen Carpenter, born March 2, 1950.

Karen Carpenter is Trending...

 The late Karen Carpenter is trending on social media. Her voice, talent, and it being in the middle of her death (February 4) and birth (March 2) could be reasons; yet, I've read a younger generation is suddenly discovering her gift of a voice and talent as a drummer. 

Her voice was beautiful and unique; I've heard it described as "if silk had a sound" which is a wonderful description of what it was like listening to her sing. All of the Carpenters' songs bring such nostalgia; her death in 1983 brought awareness to anorexia nervosa. 

I find myself suddenly telling Alexa to play music by the Carpenters...

I Like...

 One of the best covers of any song is Katie Melua's version of The Cure's classic Just Like Heaven. It's shared below. While it has nothing to do with the words I've written in this post, I do like it. A lot. 

I Like…

A book that I don’t wish to end but can’t stop reading until it does

The smell of coffee in the morning and my need for it 

The familiar things being comforting

My dog sleeping at my feet

Snow falling in the evening when I’ve no reason to be outdoors in it

The nostalgia of hearing a song and what it meant to me a lifetime ago

Wandering antique stores…remembering and imagining.

The scent in the air announcing rain before it actually happens

The way the afternoon sun angles, hinting autumn is near while the calendar says summer

Bonfires, and fire pits in crisp air,

And fireplace glow

Scents of pine, and cinnamon, and nutmeg,

From candles burning and ovens baking

The way a grocery store smells weeks before Thanksgiving through Christmas,

Apples and pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns

Leaves falling, carpeting the earth’s floor, crunching under our feet

That everything is haunted in October.

I Like…

Bookstores and public libraries

Freshly baked bread, the smell and taste of it

Drinking hot chocolate and finding different ways to make it

Always learning

The joy of travel and the greater joy of returning home 

Sleeping in my own bed

Finding art in everything…the way tea pours, the curve of a vase, the shape of a tree,

Music and the peace of mind it gives me listening to it

Writing…composing my thoughts, creating with it

Wine in the evenings

My cameras, capturing magic, freezing time.

I Like...

Spruce trees covered in snow, the branches sloping from the weight of it,

Strands of multi-colored holiday lights woven around it reflecting and muted through the whiteness

Decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments from my travels 

Holiday movies and shows of my youth, shown every year, watched every year,

Wearing hats and jackets and coats, the more variety the better

Anticipation…of good, of normalcy, and receiving it

Daydreaming

Never being let down

Unexpected kindness

Peace.

It was 1986...

    I love this song.  Even though I'd forgotten about it until I heard it again on Sirius XM the other day. It was released in the summer of 1986, and I remember clearly what I was doing and planning when I first heard it.

   It was during a modeling job I had in Atlanta. I was being photographed for a bridal magazine; through the makeup applications and touchups, dress and hair changes, this song came on the radio during the shoot. It was a stop-everything and listen to this gorgeous song...and everyone did. I also recall it so vividly because I'd been asked to audition for a bit part on Miami Vice, so I was pretty excited about it. It's interesting how songs trigger memories, as do sights and smells.  

   The Lady in Red by Chris de Burgh

More Music

While there are so many things going on in the world, I'd like to "fire off" about them here. But I won't. Opinions. We are all entitled to them. We have a right to them. Suppressing, stifling and bullying someone because of a difference of opinion is nothing but fascist tactics. 

Sharing some more music instead. These particular blog posts are easy, less messy and are much better than reading the lunacy on Twitter, or any other social media platform. 

As always, thank you.