I did it again last night. Before I drove home, I circled around my neighborhood for a few minutes. Why? Because just before I made it home, I was flipping through the local radio stations and heard the very beginning of Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits.
Now, if you're one of those people who can turn off a car and just get out midway through a song like that, I will never be able to understand you. However, I will acknowledge that this sort of behavior demands a little explanation.
For example, why didn't I just go home and sit in the car while listening to the end of the song? How can one possibly justify the wasted gas, extra miles on the old car, etc.? At least three reasons come to mind:
1. If you come home to someone, and they realize you're there, they don't always appreciate what's happening at that point. This is especially true if they don't care that much for the song or the kind of music you happen to be listening to. "But, Honey, it was Sultans of Swing!" I don't even like to think about where that one would go.
2. What if you're, say, a Bible Chair director, . . . and you're sitting in the garage or driveway with the volume turned all the way up . . . and your neighbors happen to be outside? "Okay, lemme me get this straight. You're a holy man and a headbanger?" All such cognitive dissonance can be easily avoided by finishing the song before going home.
3. I believe that there's some sort of left-brain, right-brain link between our enjoyment of a song on the car radio and our experience of driving. Do you sense this too? I mean, isn't it a lot better when you're on the open road, with room to, . . . well, . . . accelerate, when that special song comes on? Compare that to being stuck in traffic and hearing the same song. It's just not the same. At that point, you need to drive. I know, National Public Radio has coined the expression "Driveway Moments." But they're talking about documentary-type radio, not Led Zeppelin.
Anyway, are you also one of those take-the-long-way-home people? Oh, and what are some of the songs that will delay you every single time?
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"The Boys Are Back in Town" - Thin Lizzy
"Call Me The Breeze" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
"Times Like These" - Foo Fighters
"Night Moves" - Bob Seger
"Things We Do For Love" - 10CC
"Superstition" - Stevie Wonder
A nice array.
Yup, "Sultans of Swing" would keep me driving. So would "I feel the Earth Move Under my Feet" and "Hey, Jude." Who could turn off "Hey, Jude"???
Who could turn off "Hey, Jude"? indeed.
I'm sad to say I fear that thousands of people could, a big part of the world's problems.
Well Frank...I understand your dilemma as I have been there a time or two. I never liked sitting in the driveway either. My choices of songs might be a bit earlier that yours: most 1950's or early 60's songs I love. Believe it or not, I love to turn that volume up every so often to get that thrill as when I was a kid!
ha
just recently stayed in my driveway to hear the end of the live version of Led Zep, Since I've been loving you"
neighbors aren't close enough to hear
i sent an email but then thought that maybe blogging was the best way to reach you. anyway, i am sure we will find each other. i usually skip the group discussion saturday morn to walk into town and check out the book sale. if we have seen each other by then, we could get a coffee after buying books from library
brian
blogprophet.wordpress.com
Anything by Rainbow or Ronnie James Dio. Should I have admitted to that?
You're a holy headbanger? :)
My husband loves Dire Straits! We've had to drive around the neighborhood too.
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