Monday, September 1, 2008

Musical memories

The other day on the radio, the morning drive-time crew was discussing songs that should be banned from the airwaves. Not those that are obscene or distasteful, but tunes that turn your stomach. Bad dates, bad memories, bad times that a particular song brings to mind.

I have a few, but I also have many more songs that make me smile when I hear them. Songs that remind me of good times, good friends and good feelings. So, when I first heard that the songs of ABBA were being made into a musical, I knew I had to see it. I never made it to the Broadway show, but today I finally got around to seeing the movie Mamma Mia.

It wasn’t the best movie I’ve seen. Not by a long shot, but the music was awesome. Flashback to eighth grade. I was a nobody. Well, I played volleyball, ran track, was on student council and had friends, but I wasn’t a cheerleader, so therefore—a nobody.

But one night at a middle school dance, Don Heintzelman—a somebody—asked me to dance with him in a dance contest. The song was “Dancing Queen” and we won. Our prizes were gift certificates to a music store. I bought a Barry Manilow album with mine.

Don and I became friends, served on student council together in high school, worked together at the Water Bowl in the summers, and in our senior year we dated. After high school, I stayed home and attended Ball State; he went off to Notre Dame. His family still lives in Muncie, but I haven’t seen him since high school. I’ve been to a few of my class reunions and apparently, the one or two I’ve missed, he was there.

I still have fond memories of Don, of ABBA, and of course, of the one night in eighth grade when I was a dancing queen.

10 comments:

Julie Kibler said...

But ... but ... but ... wait!

I thought *I* was the dancing queen? How could *you* have been? I've been telling my kids that I was the dancing queen. Sniff.

LOL. Seriously, I was never a huge ABBA fan, but I told my girls when we saw the movie about how I would listen to that one song over and over in my basement and dance and sing and I truly believed I *was* the dancing queen. :)

Anonymous said...

I love it when music brings back great memories. It's fun when a song will whisk you back to your childhood or to high school or to college. (In case Amy reads this....I rarely hear "Let's walk like an elephant" on the radio, though!) :)

I too just recently saw Mama Mia...I agree...not the best movie I've ever seen, but so much fun! They have released a sing along version from what I hear. I assume the lyrics of the songs run across the screen so you can sing the (correct) words.

Anonymous said...

Pam and Amy,
When you hear Cameo's "Word Up" what do you think of?! :)

LA, Solid Gold, 1986?

Pamela Hammonds said...

Yes, we have the sing-along playing here. I went with my neighbor and on the drive over, she confessed that she can't carry a tune. I told her thanks for not wanting to go to the sing-along then. Actually, I'd much prefer a dance-along. It was tough to stay seated!

Pamela Hammonds said...

Yes, Kendra, but honestly, how often do you hear Word Up? Or see a red leather thong worn over black pants?

Anonymous said...

You know, I have very fond memories of Kendra,in college, standing on her desk singing and dancing to Meatloaf, Paradise by the Dashboard Lights. I still think of her whenever I hear that song!

Sonya

Anonymous said...

Actually, I hear "Word Up" quite a bit. I might be listening to a less than cool radio station..?

Sonya, you made my day! :) So funny!

Anonymous said...

Babe I'm Leavin'. Except it was the roller rink, the guy's name was Brock ("I have fifty dollars to spend on you at Disneyland!" and my mom still wouldn't let me go, me being 13 and the firm rule being no dating till 16), and he was almost my first kiss, but I turned my head.

I hate that song.

elizabeth

Anonymous said...

I am laughing so hard I am CRYING. Word Up?? I heard that at the Fourth of July party - black band playing - very good. I know almost NO words to that song, but I can fake it well. Kendra, I have the "album" we used to listen to with all those "circus" songs. Haven't brought myself to listen to it though. I'll keep my memories. I downloaded Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia as ringtones on my Blackberry - the five year old LOVES them.

Amy

Karen said...

That must be a Sadie Hawkins pic!