old cape cod
You and me and rain on the roof.
I saw the ‘Lovin’ Spoonful’ once, a zillion years ago, at a place called “The Surf” in Hyannis, Massachusetts, which is perhaps the most “city-like” town on Cape Cod. At least I think I did. I think they played with ‘The Byrds’ too, and another sweet group from those days. Graduation times, ’66, ’67’, ’68. Sometime then.
It was just raining rather insanely out on B Street, and a morning walk, my daily thing, is rather up in the air, or skipping through puddles, perhaps swaying in the breeze like the so-grateful flowers and trees – thanks for the drink. Even succulents are good with it.
“You have misspoken” someone suggested last night, and here now those words are flying through this old heart of mine. Little League and Easter parades, drunk up against some tree, filled up with this library mind. These days – unlike ‘The Dead’ – living on green beans, Vitamin B-12, and Koans.
I’m kind of feeling brand new this morning. And not prepared, which I dig. Maybe go to Amazon and cop a ‘Spoonful’ best of – Daydream; Didn’t Have to be So Nice; Summer in the City; Six O’clock; Believe in Magic; Darling be Home Soon; Didn’t Want to Have to Do It.
Tell me about it.
My fave band in my HS years, I heard them at Hampton Beach Casino and at Central Catholic HS where I met a girl from a high school miles away who claimed to be drummer Joe Butler’s cousin. The distance proved too much.
Timing of this post is uncanny. Within the last week, I’ve had two friends, both musicians–one here, one in Seattle–tell me that “Summer in the City” was LS’s best song. Yes, it’s up there, definitely their most riveting song, but there’s something about “Rain on the Roof,” which you capture with skipping & swaying, that makes it my pick.
I had it in mind when I wrote this over seven years ago:
https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/record-citizen/2015/08/22/underneath-roof-tin/33647259007/
Thanks John, and an absolutely beautiful piece you wrote all these years ago. I can remember, such as my memory goes these days, when your daughter chose to join us here on this planet. I guess we older guys have done pretty good. Like walking in the rain. I like Jay Black a lot, but you know me – crazy for The Ronettes.