Howdy!
I grew up in the 50’s — Okay, I’m giving away my age, but then, probably most of you know I’m a Grandmother — that gives away my age, as well.
Oh, how I loved that Motown sound of the 50’s and 60’s. Do you remember it? The Crystals, The Ronettes, Little Anthony?
If you’re too young to remember, come experience the magic of the 50’s music (for us young’ins). I’m going to leave some links:
The Ronettes, Be My Baby — One of my favorites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrVbawRPO7I
How many of you remember the dance names that they are doing in this link? Can you believe that I do remember? The main one, I believe, is the Bird, and in the middle they switch briefly to the Jerk. Oh, how I loved those dances. Did you?
And for all us romance lovers: The Crystals, And Then He Kissed Me — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUaUIwuU8so
I still know all the words to this song. Do you?
Me and hubby and a smooch — off to the right here.
Not to be outdone: Anthony and the Imperials, Hurts So Bad — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSF2oLgyV5M
Oh, how I love this song.
Do you remember The Duke of Earl — another song I sing to my Grandchildren: Gene Chandler and The Duke of Earl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQnfooEED8Y
Okay, and how many of you remember the dance those girls are doing in the background? Would that be the Twine? I think it is. Did you do this dance?
And how about Rockabilly — that’s rock and country all in one. Do you remember the Everly Brothers? Oh, my gosh, how I loved all their songs:
Here’s one of my favorites — beautiful, romantic, magical — Let It Be Me — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2ImS9RBszE — oh, my goodness, I melt when I listen to this
And how about one of their humorous songs: Bird Dog — just recently I was singing this song to my grandchildren, who laughed and laughed and laughed and couldn’t believe it was an actual song. So of course I had to find it online and play it for them: Love this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US49tQbYsg0 — When men’s hairstyles defied gravity…
Of course, we can’t leave out The Beatles: Here’s one of my favorites: The Things We Said Today — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_-NHOPt3Mc
You might argue, that the Beatles are the 60’s — but oh, well, I can’t leave them out — they are probably the most inspirational band of all time.
Here are some of my other favorite Beatles songs: Love in the Open Air, by James Paul McCartney — A very under rated song that I believe might be the most beautiful song written in the last Century. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir-Pl4szYOs
And of course, the most beautiful song, in my opinion, from the Album, Revolver: Here, There, and Everywhere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdcSFVXd3MU&index=5&list=OLAK5uy_n9q-ezB2RZF1WS7PR3h3drrTgNCf-DRSk — This, in my opinion, is a runner up for first place in what might be the most beautiful song of the last Century.
What, you might ask, does this have to do with Native American Romance? Well, perhaps a great deal, in several different ways. One is always searching for inspiring music to write by — I think we, as authors, often write to music. And for a lively scene, nothing beats the 50’s and 60’s music in my opinion. But there is also this little bit of fact: Did you know that the Native American Men who toured Europe mirrored the Romantic Inspiration and female response as that of many rock stars?
And why not? 
Many of those men were extraordinarily handsome. All these photos here are of a couple of the men who were with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
Well, that’s all for today. Come on in and leave a comment and let me know what you think.
As always, many of us writers are a bit busy and so we depend on your coming to the blog on Wednesday or Thursday to check to see if you are the winner of the Give-away.
And most of all, thank you for coming to the blog today. And then he kissed me.
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Music. Oh what a wonderful topic. The Everly Bros. were likely the very first group I really fell in love with. The brother’s voices harmonizing seemlessly were never ever topped in my opinion. Yes, I really do love the song Let It Be Me, but my favorite is When Will I Be Loved. In later years, my cousin and went to see then every summer at a local theatre for about a dozen years or so I think.
I loved the Beatles from the start as well, although I was more likely to be drawn to John Lennon songs than Paul McCartney’s. Even later than that I preferred George more who ended up having the most successful album career after the band broke up.
Now, after all these years have gone by, I’m still more likely to listen to Phil and Don. Theywere just so naturally talented. And oh my heart breaks that Phil has left us already.
Hi Eliza,
Wow, I loved your post. Must admit that when the Everly Brothers were popular, I was a little too young to appreciate their good looks and harmony. The only group that I know of that, like the Every Brothers, seemed to seamlessly harmonize were the Beatles. Love those hairstyles, and I echo you on you lament of Phil having left us too early. I also lament the loss of George and John — and if you are a conspiracy theorist, Paul, as well.
I think I equally liked Paul and John’s songs. But those that I mentioned are my favorites of all time.
Thanks so much for your heartwarming comment. Loved it.
Because of your post, I’ve been listening and watching The Everly Brothers Reunion at the Albert Hall ever since. They had been apart for years but their voices and harmonies were still flawless. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
P.S. I have been “struggling” lately and your post and reminder of the Everly Bros. was just what the doctor ordered. God Bless you, Karen.
Hi Eliza,
You know, I do that, too. Sometimes I get so involved in watching the Everly Brothers or the Beatles or many others, that time goes by so fast. It’s really fun, isn’t it. Like you, I get involved all over again.
Thanks Eliza, and God Bless you, too.
I remember some of those songs. I still listen to them with XM radio. They bring back so many memories.
Hi Debra,
Yes, for me, too. : ) Thanks so much for your post.
Wow, all these songs sure brought back a lot of memories. So many amazing songs from back then. All my children who are now adults said they feel like they grew up to those songs as well because I played them everyday. 🙂 Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Hi Carol,
Mine say very similar things. Still remember when my daughter said to a friend of hers that her favorite movie star was Cary Grant. Her friend hadn’t ever heard of him.
My grandchildren also are getting some of this culture. I play the Beatles and these old songs for them — which they love. Thanks so much for your comment.
That’s funny because my youngest daughter Loves Cary Grant :).
That’s great. You must keep this alive — those wonderful old movies from the 30’s and 40’s. Another one I love is Bing Crosby. Don’t have television any more, but when I did, I had old movies playing a lot in our household. Thanks so much for the reply.
I wasn’t born until 65, so I didn’t grow up listening to the music first hand, but I did enjoy it through movies and tv shows. I also found the fact about Native American men being looked at the same way as rock stars in Europe interesting. It’s something I haven’t thought about (them traveling there) but I can definitely see the women going crazy over the, They are very attractive.
Hi Janine,
Am so glad that you have been able to enjoy this sort of music through movies and TV shows. What I say about the Native Americans in Europe is true. Some research I did on Indians going to Europe in the 1830’s commented deeply on this aspect. They were also very popular here in the USA also — after the Indian wars, of course.
It’s hard for women to resist attractive men. Even my eyes wander at times and I am married. Of course my husband does the same thing when he sees a pretty girl, so neither of us gets jealous or anything.
You know, Janine, I must admit to the same, but like your husband, it’s the same way for me and my husband. We both tend to say to ourselves, “oh, no, I have this ring on my finger,” but I think looking, as long as that’s all it is, could be human nature.
Well, I was born way after the Beatles broke up, but I love their music, thanks to my history and English teachers and whoever wrote those OK English books. There were quite a few Beatles lyrics in them. But some of the bands and singers I grew up listening were A-ha, Madonna, David Bowie, Culture Club, Rick Astley, Whitney Houston etc. And of course since I’m from Finland, there was plenty of Finnish music: Hector, Pave Maijanen, Dingo, Bogart Co., Maarit, Broadcast, Miljoonasade, Paul Oxley’s Unit (well, their lead Singer was from England), Tik Tak, Aikakone etc.
Hi Minna,
Yeah, the Beatles were one of my favorites, but they were at the same time as Motown, and I must admit that at this time in my life, I liked Motown alot. Wow, interesting about the Finish groups. Am so glad that you brought these up. : )
You can find their music on Youtube and GooglePlay.
Okay, let me go and watch a couple of these after work. What fun!
Hector:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvS5dipBQDs
Pave Maijanen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLlNe6vyokI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6exh0fAPTk8
Dingo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62VqTXv0b-c
Bogart Co:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwC8hGapyhQ&list=PLuTsxc6T7bDrG8aY3LpWvXmuFibjaevGd
Maarit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVFuXbrQ1SA
Broadcast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8pgdAvB03Q
Miljoonasade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKjNOj8KAvM
Paul Oxley’s Unit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQnCASwBXKs
Tik Tak:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yqqj43qWfPc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju71uh0duAg
Aikakone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhhT0tBPM-I
Wow! Beautiful song. Thank you for sending this and also for sending all the links. Nice.
I was born late 70’s but my mom was a 50’s gal. Because she played that music all the time I fell in love with it! My favorite are the Everly Brothers!! Oh how magical their songs are and I still adore listening to them. Thanks for bringing back some great memories!
Hi Susan,
Sounds like you’re about the same age as my daughters, who also grew up listening to this music because we loved it so. They also learned the dances — I so loved all those dances from long ago.
Thanks so much for the comment. : )
I was born in the late 50’s and I love the music from this era and the 60’s too… My teenage cousin listened to it and that’s how I came to love. And the first time I heard the Everly Brother’s I was is in love. I was able to see them in person on my 14th birthday.. What a thrill it was.
Hi Kathleen,
Wow, you got to see the Everly Brothers in person. Oh, I think I would’ve been in love, too. Their harmonies are so very, very beautiful.
So many great songs in the 50’s and 60’s! Some really terrible ones, too. But the Everly Brothers really did have beautiful harmonies. Listen again to Cathy’s Clown. I must say, though, that I absolutely fell in love with Linda Ronstadt and her covers of some of those songs. What a powerful voice, and music filled with emotion. Sang her songs all the time, and still do.
Hi Karen!
My daughter’s remember Linda Ronstadt’s version of many of the Everly Brothers, as well. I remember them both. Loved Linda Ronstadt, too. Different era — although not by much. Thanks so much for the comment.
Hi Kay,
Lots of good songs back in the 50s and 60s. I remember well going to the sock hops and teen centers listening to them. Our classmate, Kenny Yager, is still playing those songs in his band. Yes, Kenny is still playing and singing. Best regards, Steve
Hi Steve,
Great to see your comment here on the blog. Yes, Kenny’s wife, Kathy, is one of my very good friends from high school. She and I and one other person very briefly were dancers at one of those teen centers. All those years ago. That’s great that Kenny is still playing those songs. Love it.
Hi Karen. I know all of these songs that you’ve mentioned and I am from Kentucky so the Everly Brothers are especially special to the Bluegrass State. I also remember the dances but you failed to mention The Twist. We had a movie theater in our small town so we didn’t get movies as soon as they released but we finally got the movie “Twist Around the Clock” with Chubby Checker. The management had a Twist contest and I actually won! I think I got a free admittance to another movie. Lol
Thanks for an enjoyable trip down memory lane.
Hi Connie!
Wow, and you won the contest. You must have been mighty good. I loved all those dances, the twist, the bop, the swing (actually that’s more 40’s I think), the bird, the swim, the jerk — you’re a dancer — did you do those dances, too. I remember at a music camp I went to, watching two people from Chicago dance — I was entranced. Later, I approach the girl and asked her if she would teach me those dances — and she did. Felt like I was in heaven.
Thanks for your story. Love it. : )
Hi, Kay!
I was born in the early 50’s & love the songs & groups of the 50’s & 60’s. One of my Granddaughters loves the films & music of that era as well, which makes me so happy!! I gave her many of my 33 record albums after she purchased a player. Hopefully, she will pass that love down to future generations!
Hi Cecilia,
You still have some of your record albums? Wow! Yes, there was something magical, I think,about that era in terms of music. So much to love. Thank you so much for your comment.
Hey Kay, Thank you for sharing this fun post! I enjoy listening to worship music.
Hi Caryl,
How interesting that you called it “worship music.” I do love that era of music — lifts the spirits in many way, I think. Thanks so much for your comment.
The songs you shared above brought back many good memories. Unlike many of todays songs, you could actually understand the words and it was relatively easy to sing along. The 70’s were pretty good, too. When thinking of music as inspiration, I think of the Native American I have listened to. I am sure those who traveled with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show thought back to the music of their homes. I know when I think of the times we have traveled out West I think of the powwows and other gatherings we have been to. The drum is easy to think of and hear in your mind. The beats of the different regions (a northern drum or southern drum) or the type of dance. I would think some of them would have brought along either a small drum or flute. Can’t you just hear the the notes of the flute while sitting near a campfire on a quiet star lit night? Thinking of it now, I can hear the drum and can feel the sway and movement of my feet to a women’s traditional dance. I left the fancy shawl dancing to my daughter – a different rhythm all together.
Hi Patricia,
What an aesthetic and beautiful post. You brought back memories for me,too. The sounds of the pow-wows, the smell of fry bread in the air, the murmur of laughter and good cheer, the announcer telling us about the latest give-away. The heat of the afternoon, the coolness of the evening pow-wows and contests. And that drum — including the singers and drumbeat, making you sway to the music.
I used to dance fancy-dance, but now that I’m older, well…I haven’t done it in a long time. Still have my fancy-dance regalia, however. Ah, what wonderful memories you’ve brought to mind.