Saturday, January 31, 2015

"And run if you will to the top of the hill..."

I was first introduced to Rod McKuen's music in 1967 by the man who would later become my second (and last and best) husband. On the drive home from our first date, Richard plugged an eight-track tape into his car stereo, and the car filled with the sound of waves splashing on the beach, the gentle, seductive voice of McKuen himself, and the swelling music of the Anita Kerr Orchestra. That tape was The Sea. It made me appreciate Rod McKuen. More than that, it made me appreciate Richard because he could appreciate Rod McKuen.

Poet and songwriter Rod McKuen died on Thursday at the age of 81. So many of his songs provided background music for my life. My favorite of all of them was this one:


The song is "Jean," written by Rod McKuen.
Thanks to bernieb48 for posting the video and lyrics on YouTube.

6 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for posting the link to that song. I haven't thought of it in years and it is such a beautiful song it is good to hear it again.

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    1. Thanks, Joy! I rarely get a comment on a song post, and it's a pleasure to know someone out there shares my musical taste.

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  2. I always loved that song and, like Joy, haven't heard or thought of it in years. I don't comment every time, but I always love your song choices. Thanks for posting.

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    1. Annette, I have good memories of listening to music in your car as you drove us through crazy Houston traffic after a long day of meetings. Some of those songs ("The End of the Innocence," for one) always make me think of you.

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  3. I had not heard that song in years....When I read the title I thought I had not heard it at all...But as soon as it started I remembered all od the words...Imagine that...Sure love you Velvet....Just catching up on your blog...Get to feeling better...Listen to happy upbeat songs...LOL

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    1. Helen, isn't it funny how a song seeps so deeply into your bones that you can remember its lyrics years later?

      I love you, too, girl, and I am feeling a little better. (I'll admit to feeling like a wuss for being so whiny, especially when I think about what you went through and remained positive the whole time.)

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