Hey, it’s good to see you! Boy have I got a lot to catch you up on! I’m so sorry that I haven’t been keeping you posted on all the things that’s been going on. Can you believe that we’re almost at the end of 1983 and I haven’t really told you anything new?
Well, I guess I better do like Lewis Carroll said, “Start at the beginning, keep going and when you come to the end, stop.”
So let’s start at the beginning.
Do you remember my Uncle Willie? You know the one who lives in Chicago? Well he died back in March. Nobody saw it coming because he was kinda young. They say he was sick with pneumonia, then he just had a heart attack–out of nowhere– and died.
We didn’t see him much but I do remember the time me and my cousins were jumping on the bed at my grandma’s house and he told us to stop or he would whip us. To be honest, we didn’t think that he could do that. So one of us (it could have been me) mumbled, “If you do, I’ll tell my mama.” Well, little did we know, he overheard that. Before you know it, he said, “I’ll whip you and call your mama and tell her I whipped you, now go sit yo’ little asses down somewhere!”
After he said that, we went somewhere and sat down.
Anyway, Uncle Willie was the first dead person I ever saw. He didn’t look the same as he used to; he was still handsome though. But you know what? I wasn’t scared, he just looked like he was asleep.
By the way, Uncle Willie was mama’s youngest brother so she took it real hard.
Anyway, so right after Uncle Willie died, it was April I think, me and my friend Sandra decided to try-out for the junior varsity cheerleading squad at the high school. We did this after we heard an announcement at our middle school that called for 8th graders to come to cheerleading clinic/try-outs. We were kinda lucky because one of our older family friends, Carol, told us all about the kinds of jumps that we would have to know how to do. She warned us that in high school they don’t cheer like we did when we were doing cheers in elementary. She told us that we had to be stiff as a board. No shaking and jiggling; just straight up stiff.
Well every day, after school, Sandra and I walked up to the high school for the clinic. The first day that we got there, the varsity cheerleaders were already calling the coach to look at my toe touch. Believe it or not, I could jump as high as the best jumper. Sandra was a great jumper too. Both of us knew the coach was watching really hard. After that, I figured we were gonna make the squad and we did.
Once we started going to high school, we learned that being a JV cheerleader had good sides and bad sides. The good side is that everybody at the school recognizes you, the bad side is, they don’t really care. At pep rallies, we had to cheer from the sidelines while the varsity cheerleaders danced and chanted the fight song in a moving circle. On the second verse of the song, each cheerleader had to run in front of the stands where their class was sitting. Because we were freshmen we had to run to the freshmen side. The sad part about that is the freshmen side was large but they didn’t never clap; not even when we did chants that call for each class to respond back to us. Honestly, I felt real stupid out there! Oh yeah, and don’t even talk about the football games. Nobody comes to JV games.
Man, I can’t wait to be a varsity cheerleader!
Ok, so I think I got you all caught up!
Anyway, tonight I went to my first hop at the school gym. What do you mean you don’t know what a hop is? Well, where I’m from, a hop is another word for a dance. Somebody told me that the name ‘hop’ probably comes from the 1950’s when they used to call a dance a ‘sock hop.’ I guess they took their shoes off and hopped around in their socks.
By the way, if you ever watch American Bandstand then you know the theme song says ‘We’re going hopping.’ Well, anyway, it’s the same thing.
Back to what I was talking about before I got off-track.
Oh yeah! Now, to tell you the truth, tonight, I was nervous because I had never danced with a boy before. When we first got there, I just sat in the stands drinking a coke. Everybody else was dancing while I watched.
Finally, a boy that I never seen before, asked me to dance with him. I think he went to Glenn Hills. Anyway, we danced to “Sticky Situation” by Tyrone Brunson. It was fun because everybody was doing the smurf at the same time. Then, all of a sudden, the DJ pulled a fast one on me. He changed songs right in the middle of us dancing. Next thing you know, he was playing “Lady in my life.”
I was like, “Holy Crud!” You know I LOVE that song but I freaked out because this boy put his arms around my waist and pulled me waaay too close to him. I started to tell him to step off but I was too scared.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Uh oh! Lil Lady G, you in a pickle now! Hell, that boy had to be 16 or 17 years old! He wanted to slow dance and he wanted to do it real close. Where is Mr. Carribeanish when you need him? Chile everybody at the hop was damn near grinding and dry humping and you know what I’m talking about!
Well, our dear Lady G was not about that life! Not yet anyway.
Memory fades as to how your girl got out of that sticky wicket! I just know that I did—somehow.
Well, well, well! Welcome to 1983! Yaaasss!
This. This year here. This year right here. Baby, with very few exceptions, this is the year when the R&B musicians and instruments exited- stage left. Chile anybody with a synthesizer could make a record back then; and trust me, they did.
By now rap music was in full swing.
For better or for worse, we were getting used to a new normal. Music was crossing genres left and right!
Anyway, what were you doing in 1983? Don’t hold back none! Give me all the goods down in the comment section.
And so…
Shall we proceed? Yes, indeed!
My Jams ‘83
Let’s dance by David Bowie
“Put on your red shoes and dance the blues…” Was it just me or did he sound like Dracula?
YAAASSSSS! I love me some David Bowie! Dude had his own style and I ate it up!
Not only did I love his voice and his style but I love and respect the fact that Bowie was one of the first big name acts to call MTV out for not playing black musicians! Baby, he got all up in the interviewers grill. By the time that thang was over the VeeJay (New term with the advent of videos) was sweating bullets!
Needless to say, ya girl broke down in the middle of the Publix frozen section when I found out he died earlier this year.
Chile, we had no idea, at the time, that 2016 would claim so many great entertainers before the first half of the year was even over.
China Girl by David Bowie
“Oh Oh Oh Oh Little China Girl!”
No way I’m leaving 1983 without adding my Bowie favorite!
PYT by Michael Jackson
Lady G is a PYT!
For newcomers, PYT stands for Pretty Young Thing.
Who the hell am I fooling? I ain’t seen young in 30 years.
I can dream though.
Time will reveal by DeBarge
Oh honey, Bobby Debarge’s little brothers and sister blew onto the scene-do you hear me?
Trust and believe that they were not messing around.
This one right here was the joint!
El Debarge’s voice is like silk baby!
Stay with me tonight by Jeffrey Osborne
“Baby stay with me tonight”
I most certainly will baby! You ain’t gotta ask me twice.
Try again by Champagne
“Maybe we can try again…try, try”
I just love the way they sang that part!
Some people tried again and some people opted NOT to.
Hell Will Downing, in his cover of Angela Bofill’s masterpiece, would later say, “I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried!
You can consider that one a bonus ‘cause I don’t know if we’ll make it that far into the future!
Don’t you get so mad by Jeffrey Osborne
“Do you have to get so mad?”
Hell yeah and you know good and damn well why I’m mad. Don’t try to play me Jeffrey!
Juicy fruit by Mtume
“I’ll be your lollipop, you can like me everywhere!”
Holy shit! Did she just say that? LICK ME EVERYWHERE?
I ain’t mad at her! That’s how I like to get down but it was pushing the hell out of the envelope back then.
Oh but Marvin Sease would later say something that pushed the envelope off the damn desk. But since that song falls into the blues genre it is out of my wheelhouse.
All night long by the Mary Jane girls
“Come on up boy don’t be late, what I got for you won’t wait….All night long!”
Shiiitttt!
“Climb up on the ladder honey, what I got is better than money…All night long!”
I didn’t know what the hell they were talking about back then but damn if I didn’t learn later!
“You got me shook up, shook down, shook out on your loving…and boy there is just no way I’ll ever get over you….All night long, I waited for you, to show you my love and on this rooftop I’ll be waiting for your love anticipating, hurry up and come ‘cause I can’t wait to get it on”
Y’all better stop me! I could pull lyrics from this song all night long!
Outstanding by The Gap Band
Yaaasss! Uncle Charlie been kicking it for years!
I loved this one because it brought us a little bit of brass action and you know how much I love me some brass!
Tell me if you still care by SOS band
When you get ready to shut the shit down….put this jam on!
Folks will start running and hollering! Mayhem! Sheer Mayhem!
That damn drum pattern? Whaaaat? I just can’t! I CANNOT!
“Do you feel the same way too?”
“Listen to my heartbeat…for you baby…oooh!”
Asystole! (google it!)
Mind up tonight by Melba Moore
Thank you Lordt, thou hast given us thine bass! And it was good!
“Am I number one or number two? Am I your woman?”
“Gotta make your mind up tonight…”
YAAASSSS!
Wet my whistle by Midnight Star
Brother said he had to wet his whistle when he kissed her lips!
Now which whistle is that? Hell, which lips?
“Just a little bit, just a little bit, a little bit baby!”
Girl watch him or you might be at the clinic tomorrow suffering from infant or infection—at this time in your life neither of these is a good thing!
Every girl wants my guy by Aretha Franklin
Aretha girl I understand that feeling. Lady G ain’t never kicked it with a dude that some heffa didn’t want. Hell, she might have even had him but I can guarantee you that Lady G remains all up in his dome—at all times! Baby, he won’t leave until I let him go.
I’m just kidding, but not really 😉
Crazy by the Manhattans
Don’t call it a comeback!
Ok, I won’t.
But the fact remains that we ain’t heard from these jokers in years!
No matter, this was a good jam. Gerald Alston will ALWAYS bring it; trust and believe that!
Atomic dog by George Clinton
YAAAAAASSSS!
This one was that fire in 1983!
Chile y’all know Omega Psi Phi decided to cop it right!?
But I ain’t mad at the Ques for stepping and shooting funk to this jam!
(TOTO 24, Kamala, 6, PSI Chapter –Spring ’91)
Now if curiosity gets the better of you, I can give you a translation for all of that, just holler at me in comments! But for now, here’s a hint, Kamala would go on to bless me with a beautiful baby boy.
‘Nuff said!
Lucky Star by Madonna
“You may be my lucky star but I’m the luckiest by far!”
YAAASSSS! Ms. Madonna crossed her ass right on over to the R&B charts with this jam!
You better recognize! Black folks love them some Madonna!
Say it isn’t so by Hall and Oates
Speaking of love, black people definitely had mad love for these two dudes! It ain’t no way I am leaving 1983 without talking about this jam!
Over and over by Shalamar
So I had a new crush in 1983. He was a handsome dude who drove his brother’s tricked out Toyota Celica GT! Do you remember those? If you don’t, google it ‘cause they don’t make ‘em no more. Anyway, I used to sit and look out the window and watch him drive by. This song was usually playing in the background. This one and Shalamar’s other jams “Right here” and “Dead giveaway.”
Owner of a lonely heart by Yes
AW SHIIIITTT Did you hear that guitar at the beginning? YAAASSSS!
Hot! Hot! Hot!
This jam is soooooo NOT R&B but black people loved the hell out of it! Let’s face it, when a jam is as nasty as this is, it cannot be contained in one genre!
“Owner of a lonely heart, Owner of a lonely heart, much better than the owner of a broken heart…”
I rocks this jam right now-TODAY!
I’ll Tumble for ya by Culture Club
I am adding this one for kicks! I loved the hell out of this jam.
Don’t worry; I can’t even list all of my Culture Club favorites! No room for all that!
But all I gotta say is “Time won’t give me time and time makes lovers feel like they got something real but you and me we know we got nothing but time and time won’t give me time…”
I lived for Boy George!
Believe it or not, Mama liked him too; she just didn’t know what to make of him though.
Choosey lover by The Isley brothers
Ok, let’s get back to some stone cold straight up R&B
“Choosey lover, girl I’m so proud of ya, I’m so glad you chose me, and I’ll make you so happy…”
I SIMPLY CANNOT!
Ron’nem wasn’t even playing. Ernie! Whaaat????? I soooo needed to hear some real instruments! Chris and Marvin ain’t playing either.
Candy man by the MaryJane girls
YAAASSSS! The Mary Jane Girls! Remember, they brought us “All Night Long!”
I always thought of these sisters as Rick James’ answer to Prince’s Vanity 6.
Let’s just say that the Mary Jane girls sat Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6 or whoever’s asses right on DOWN!
Is this the end by New Edition
Chile look a’here! We got us a little play-pretend Jackson 5!
Ralph could hold a tune but he wasn’t no Mike!
No matter, them boys won my heart!
Ms. Got the Body by ConFunkShun
Oh baby, unlike Cameo, Michael’nem were not yet ready to throw their instruments away!
Do I sound miffed?
Anyway, ConFunkShun blew that brass right on into the ‘80’s! YAAASSSS!
“Ms.Got the Body…like sweet cold wine, that girl is so fine!”
Jealous Girl by New Edition
I cried my ass off to this jam! Still don’t know why. I didn’t have no man so I didn’t have nothing to be jealous about.
No matter, this little ditty tended to elicit hysterics from all the teenage girls!
The Haunted House of Rock by Whodini
Nope, it surely is not R&B; in fact, it’s a rap recording but it was a novelty song
so I loved it.
In fact, it still plays well at any Halloween party!
Now let’s see what Eva and Tack were listening to
Party time by Kurtis Blow
Holiday by Madonna
Let you down by Maze
Starting something by Michael Jackson
Little red corvette by Prince
One on one by Hall and Oates
Candy girl by New Edition
Ain’t Nobody Chaka Khan
Last night a DJ saved my life by Indeep
I like it by DeBarge
Get it right by Aretha Franklin
Stop doggin me around by Klique—Mama liked this better than Jackie Wilson’s original, now that’s saying something!
Between the sheets by the Isley brothers
You are in my system by The System
Taxi by J Blackfoot
Keep on loving me by The Whispers
Baby I’m hooked by ConFunkShun
You said enough by Central Line
Style by Cameo
Jam on it by Newcleus
Beat it by Michael Jackson
Fall in love with me by EWF
Save the overtime by Gladys Knight and the Pips
Trouble in paradise by Al Jarreau
Got to be there by Chaka Khan
Slow jam by Midnight Star
Hand dance by The Reddings
Do you like it by Slave
Strut my Thang by Ozone
Ladies choice by Stone City Band
Weak at the knees by Steve Arrington
Help yourself by Kashif
Real love by Lakeside
How come you don’t call me anymore by Stephanie Mills
My first love Rene and Angela
Betcha she don’t love you by Evelyn Champagne King
Call blooded by Rick James
Beat it by Michael Jackson
Curses! The clock is striking 12:00! I love you 1983 but I gotta be out!
Share your memories of 1983 in comments! I’m waiting for you!
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My day one peeps will remember this series from a few years back where I share my life story via my favorite songs.
Recently, I did an audio series based on these posts called “Rambling Musical Commentary.” Lately, I’ve noticed, based on the analytics, that these posts have a pretty large viewing; therefore, I will be picking that series back up starting with 1980 on Sunday, April 18th.
So, stay tuned and check out other “My Jams” and “Rambling Musical Commentary” posts by going to the right panel and clicking on those titles in categories.
Meanwhile, enjoy a reblog of My Jams 1983!
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Gotta love “ay it isn’t so by Hall and Oates” Cuz. :O)
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Got to!!!!!!
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Hey Sista
I read your post last night and thought I’d sleep on my response because you gonna make me come clean on a couple of things. First, I’ll say that I always love your storytelling. There’s a spot where you call yourself to order for digressing. I had to smile there coz my children are always calling me to order for digressing in the middle of my stories. I say that happens when you’ve got too many stories to tell and a brain ahead of itself.
So – thanks for your jams for 83 – can’t say I know all of them because I only caught up with some of this music much later coz I was listening to music carried over from other years. My beat included the Ojays,Stylistics,Manhattans,Randy Crawford, Temptations,Third World (influenced by the company I was keeping – I was part of a youth movement,listening to reggae and Carol King’s “It’s too late”. Songs I remember killing to death included Try jah love and “You got the best of my love by T-Connection. Then with love in my heart someone was serenading me with “Tonight I celebrate my love for you.”
With the Madonna influence, I remember wearing everything (clothes, belts, bracelets, shoes) with studs all over.
Finally – more freedom from my parents to go to clubs and we were groovin to Thriller music, Last night the DJ saved my life, definitely Wet my whistle, Hot,hot,hot, whatever Kool and the Gang were playing.
So now you know that I was ahead of you. I started my first job in 83, bought a stupid old yellow VW beetle that broke down every couple of hours. Was counselling people about marriage problems when I was straight out of university – “What did I know?) they asked 😀
This was also a time when my girlfriends were starting the weekend on Wednesday nights (ladies nights and the party didn’t stop until Sunday night when we had supper clubs – not saying I was part of all this action, neither was I totally out of it – just had strict parents)
So 83 was a defining year you might say.
Damn! I can’t help thinking about that dumb yellow beetle – I remember 5 of us (girls) driving with that beetle to a club in another city (about an hour from home) We had a great time parading under fake names,fake jobs and telephone numbers because we were strangers in town and the brothers were scared off by educated ladies) The Beetle was playing havoc with its lights – only bright lights on the way to the party and dim lights in the wee hours of the morning back home – so that’s my slice of many stories for that year.
Playing “DJ” to one of our away parties (gang of us gone for the weekend to the beach) these song stands out for me from my playlist:
Now I told you Girl – this is like true confessions around the camp fire😀
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Girl YAASSS!! Honey no you didn’t add a video of the great Sylvester’s Weather Girls! Baby it’s raining men!
So good to hear that you enjoyed revisiting 1983. Girl you had some good tea to spill. I could just see you and your girls painting the town in that Beetle. Hey, I know you said it was not always reliable but it sounds like it was reliable enough to get you through a whole lot of good times.
Now you know I had to laugh when you talked about being a counselor-straight out of University. You asked a good question: “What did I know?” Chile, when it came to marriage, you didn’t know nuthin’!!!!! But I’ll bet that you had all of the theories down pat! You probably didn’t really GET it until you got married or were involved in an adult relation of your own.
Sometimes I felt that way when I was working with addicts. I had not a clue what they were dealing with so I just did my best to educate them on independent living skills. I also incorporated some LOA/NLP stuff but the fact of the matter is, those folks often needed the recovering addicts that could REALLY understand where they were coming from.
Chevvy, you are so colorful and fun! I love the way you neither confirm nor deny your involvement in some of those shenanigans! Girl you are a trip and I love it!
You know, I have never been to a supper club. I do know that they have those in larger US cities; especially in the North. I think that in those settings, in the US, you can bring your own alcoholic beverages, but, of course, I am only going by what someone told me.
What are supper clubs like in SA?
Oh yeah, now when I got a little older I used to go to the clubs every now and then. Here, “Ladies Night” is Thursday nights. And you know that the party went right on into Saturday night. Chile them sisters would get up Sunday morning and sing in the choir with their stale nightclub hairdo. Funny huh?
Again, I am so glad that you enjoyed it. What will this weekend find you doing?
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Hey Girl, you wanna get me started on a tangent again. On the social work front, I just told everybody that I came from a family so I knew enough about marriage to link to the theory and I can tell you that I had plenty of lessons (many messed up) to learn from. I only worked in that field for three years but I’ve never regretted the foundation it gave me.I had a lifetime of experiences packed into those three years where I got to know the human condition in all its forms, some quite dangerous.My girls sit in awe when I share my stories – can’t believe them myself sometimes.
I don’t know if they still have supper clubs these days but back in the day, they were held in hotels with food and drink provided and they were about dancing on a Sunday nights so you can imagine what was going down at work on a Monday morning. But just so you’re clear – I was NOT in the middle of this since I still lived with my parents and had to follow the RULES. My friends who lived on their own have stories to tell that I don’t.
I just got a call from one of them now and we’re hooking up tomorrow for lunch. She is just one pack of fun to be with. I did a compilation for her once that included Midnight train to Georgia , Let’s get it on and Me and Mrs Jones – need I say more? Ah! we’re all older and much wiser now.
Yeah that Beetle – I got rid of it as soon as I could – we attracted trouble with it including a car chase I may add. Now that I re-tell the story it does sound colourful.
But on the more serious side,I came from a Gangsta neighbourhood – many people I went to school with were killed- so apart from some of the partying, I was a youth leader and hanging out with some rastamaan.(one of them be my boyfriend then) They used to live communally so always looking for food. Now if you picture my mother being very strict, she suffered a major evolution the day that these fellas rocked up at our door for Sunday lunch to the beat of Tray jah love. This international movement we belonged to shaped who we all became and the social conscience we developed.
But you’ll understand when I say that I’ve served my time and I’d like to live to the beat of my own drum. But I don’t think the good lord is done with me yet that’s why you came along and my other Soul sista from Austria. Seems I still got places to go and people to meet.
So Lady G, you have gathered the knights’ roundtable on Thursday nights and I know we’re congregated around here for a reason.Your jams just unlock stuff that sometimes we had forgotten. In true NLP style, it sends us back to the experiences of our five senses. Think about that for a moment – you’re the convenor of souls girl 😀
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Isn’t it funny that we don’t realize how interesting we are until we look back and re-examine our lives?
Girl you are killing me! I can see a bandwagon of rastas+Chevvy having lunch with your mom! That is hilarious. No wonder your kids, and everybody else, I imagine, sit at your knee waiting to hear another Chevvy adventure! Hell I am right there with them–waiting for another gem!
It really is so much fun looking back at all this. One of my closest and dearest friends, Sandra, the one I talked about in this post, commented and recalled things that I had completely forgotten about.
Oh and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the idea of being a convenor of souls. My Godsister who is a seer said that she was told that I am a scribe. But I think that I like your take a whole lot better.
It makes me seem much more interesting! LOL!
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On your last point – you could be both. I had a friend once (she passed on a few years ago just before her 40th birthday) In our African traditions she was becoming what is known as a “Sangoma” along the lines of a “Seer”. She once said to me that I was meant to teach but not in the traditional sense – I’ve been the traditional teaching route already. She did say that she meant it differently. Another interesting thing she said was that while I was meant to play a “Moses” type role, I was not Joshua. Now I don’t know the Bible so well but I’d extrapolate that to mean that I play more a kingmaker role than being king.
You’re very right that looking back can give you such perspective. I’m trying to do more of the “now” in order to firm up the future. Girl – I can see that if we were in the same neighborhood we wouldn’t stop talking😀 Hope you’ll be having a good weekend! Lots of Hugs. Chevvy
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VERY interesting….
I really can see you being a Kingmaker! It seems to suit you! One thing’s for sure. You are, by no means, average. You are very special.
Enjoy your weekend my dear!
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Hi Gwin.
Thanks for the invitation in your youth and your music. Cheered me up.
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Oh thank you Roger! I am so glad that you accepted that invite. Those were some good times 🙂 Cheers to you!
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I really picked up on the mood of the times. Just like a time-machine!
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🙂
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Also Roger I meant to send my condolences in regards to the tragic murder of Jo Cox. I am not going to pretend that I understand the British political process/system but I do know that, from a personal standpoint, this was a huge loss. She seemed like a bright young woman; now this.
Hard to wrap your head around this kind of crazy!
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Thanks Gwin.
It is a loss and impossible to understand.
By God’s good grace the act has brought all politicians together.
In the UK our parliament is ‘out ‘at the moment, we have this vote on whether to stay in the European Union(long story). But it is being what’s termed as ‘recalled’ so that all Members of Parliament irrespective of party can pay their tributes to her (And you know the last time that happened…when Margaret Thatcher died)
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Wow, that’s powerful. Especially considering the fact that the last recall occurred with Margaret Thatcher’s death.
Roger, I find it amazing that blogging can so easily bring people together from different parts of the world.
I have never really had much interest in European politics; though I am obsessed with the beauty of the continent.
That said, I am going to brush up a bit more.
Even though I was aware of the fact that you all are considering leaving the EU, I haven’t researched the varying points of view on it.
Now, since I’ve been chatting with you, I think I will read more about it.
Thanks for inadvertently challenging me to become more informed 🙂
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Hi Gwin.
Now funny you should say that, because I have been trying to put into words the same experience.
I always enjoy reading your blog, teaching me more about other folk, and you bring a positive feeling too.
So big thanks.
The EU issue is so very complex. I would rather stay in because it’s stopped most of Europe indulging in the centuries old series of wars. I mean how can you fight another country when your both so tied up in a mess of officialdom….works for me.
Anyhows, I’ll keep you posted on this ’cause next Thursday is the big vote (we always vote on a Thursday…I’m sure I don’t know why)
Always a pleasure to chat.
Take care and best wishes
Roger
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Hi Roger 🙂
I hope you do write a post on this topic. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Lucky for me I grew up in military town so I had friends of different nationalities. Unfortunately as I got older my personal social sphere became less diverse; this was not intentional-it just ended up being that way.
In young adulthood, I did have a good friend who was from Wales. Actually her father was German and her mother was Welsh. Although she was fluent in German, she had a beautiful Welsh accent. We become great friends! She actually influenced me to send my son to a Montessori school because that’s where her daughter went. Her daughter’s name was Llyswen– which I loved. She ended up moving to Florida; I still miss talking to her.
You and I, under any normal circumstances, might walk right past each other in the ‘real world’ but here we can talk openly and learn so much from each other.
I’ll be looking out for your post 🙂
PS: Thanks for the insight on the UK and the EU; I actually admire your reasoning for wanting to stay in.
Have a great weekend! Not sure if you all celebrate Father’s Day, but I am going to wish you a Happy Father’s Day anyway!
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Thanks again Gwin.
Which part of Wales did you friend come from? For a small piece of land and a population of about 2,500,000 we can pack a great deal of variety in! I’d be interested to know. Lovely name too, Llyswen.
I will be putting a post up after the result; there is an undercurrent that the Leave Brexit (Br- exit) might win by a slender margin. We’ll have to see. It will be important it see how the regional patterns play out; if the majority of Scotland want to stay in and the majority of England want to leave, we have ‘an issue’ (no one pays much attention to Wales- we tend to like it that way anyhow, we get left alone to doodle about our own sweet way. And no one interferes with Northern Ireland- they’ve got their own way of doing things ).
Isn’t it so cool that everyone can get together on WordPress and exchange? Like you say in the ‘real world’ might never meet. Though unlike the weirdness that is the big social media, such as FaceBook, this part of WordPress seems more the way the ‘real’ world should be; at least this way folk can keep in touch- physical distance is always a problem- our family is scattered a bit.
Yep’ Father’s Day: Two daughters, One Son- Five grandchildren; so damn proud of my kids, real warriors!
Hope your week-end is a good one.
Roger
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LOL! I love your hilarious and quick way of summing up UK dynamics. Frankly, most folks in the US tend to think of the UK as England–forgetting about Scotland, Wales etc.
As for my friend, I think that she is from an area close to the village named Llyswen in Wales. I think I remember her telling me that she named her daughter for an area near her hometown. I can’t be sure though. By the way, her second daughter was named Linnet- which she told me rhymes with ‘minute.’ It was best that she taught he how to say it properly because my southern accent would make that name sound more like Li-NET.
I totally get your point with other social media; I don’t do Facebook. To me there is something fundamentally wrong with people knowing everybody you know and everybody they know!
By the way, I am sure that your kids are proud of you as well!
Always a pleasure 🙂
Gwin
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Yeh, it happens with Britain. Quite a few folk get angry about it, but truth be known we’re complex little bunch of islands, with a history that goes back….errr….well start at 100 BC for convenience sake; and things and peoples get all mixed up.Like some Scots started out in Ireland and some Irish started out in Scotland, an some Irish went to Wales, and The Welsh had a whole chunk of England until The English turned up-from Germany, and then everyone went about snatching bits off each other and then the Vikings turned up from Denmark & Norway, AND a little later a lot more Vikings disguised as French arrived in 1066.
Since then the Scots, Welsh and Irish blame the English, who wouldn’t have done half of what they did without the help of other Scots, Welsh and Irish who were feuding with the first lot of Scots, Welsh and Irish (and each other). And anyway all the Scots, Welsh and Irish also helped a lot of English who were feuding with other English.
Then The English really confused everyone by inviting in Kings from Germany, who were all called George. And so it was agreed to fight the French for the next 100+ years. And this is why we lost America
And so Gwin ends your first brief true history of The British Isles!!
(Take notes, there will be a test paper-LOL)
Ah, I’ve got my ‘silly’ back…thanks
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God that’s so funny! Yes, indeed, you got your silly back! I am dying laughing!
Your telling of UK history beats the hell out of the whole Saxe-Coburg/ Windsor Battle of Hastings 1066 stuff that I learned in British Lit!!!!!
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Thanks so much Gwin
In my teens (1964-1970) MAD magazine was essential reading, left an undying impression on me.
(And an American Lit professor Richard Armour whose series of book ‘It All Started With…’ I loved)
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MAD was hilarious!
I am going to have to look into the ‘It All Started With…’ series!
Thanks my friend!
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We were quite brave to try-out for the junior varsity cheerleading squad at the high school.I also remember us having to mount and stand on a cheerleader’s shoulders. We requested the male cheerleader with the broad shoulders just to be on the safe side. We were young but not crazy enough to stand on the skinny chick shoulders.
I also remember each day we would fill our bellies with Mello Yellow and a snickers bar. All that caffeine gave us the endurance to complete all required drills. If we had enough change in our pockets, we would also dip by Ming Wah. Why didn’t our mommies pack a snack for the hard working girls? First, you would have to really know our moms. Second, we would not be caught at the biggest high school in the city with a lunch box. We did not have colorful cool snack bags back then.
My favorites songs from 1983:
Delirious by Prince
I can make you dance by ZAPP (Laney & Josey high school band loved to perform this number)
The Girl is Mine By Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney
Raid by Lakeside
Joanna by Kool & The Gang
Baby Come to Me by Patti Austin & James Ingram
Party Train by GAP Band
She Work Hard For the Money By Donna Summer
Dead Giveaway By Shalamar
I’ve Made Love to You A Thousand Times By Smokey Robinson
How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye By Dionne Warwick & Luther Vandross
Bottoms Up By The Chi Lites
Tonight I Celebrate My Love To You By Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack
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There she goes! That’s Sandra right there! My partner in crime! Girl, I forgot all about some of that stuff!
Hell to da naw, we would not have had no freaking lunch boxes and Eva and Mattie wasn’t trying to pack nothing!
Yaaassss baby, Richmond was the biggest one and we had more students than any other school—even after they broke that joker up!
I am so glad you came by girl! I love your picks! I don’t know why I don’t remember the one by Smokey Robinson.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Ms. Sandra! Yaaaaassss!
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Finally…it’s been a long day and I finally got here. You know I wasn’t going to miss my Thursday fix!
First off, another great list. I do have a few additions which I’ll get to later, but I had to put some memories out there.
I was counting down to graduation in 1983…my senior year started in the fall and I couldn’t wait to get out of high school. Looking forward to where I was headed to college, but no idea where I was going or how I was going to get there.
Since I know Lady G loves the go-go, that Kurtis Blow “Party Time” may have been the first instance of rap and go-go meeting. Kurtis even gave a shout out to Experience Unlimited, one of DC’s best go-go bands (when he says “they call it the E.U. freeze”).
“Freak-A-Zoid” by Midnight Star is one I would add. It was around 1983 I was beginning to dance more in public-pop lock style that is. I was that kid who watched Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” and wanted to be the kid with the moves:
The SOS Band’s “Just Be Good To Me” was another one of my favorites; so much so it caused me to spend money twice on the same song! I bought the 12″ single first and found out it didn’t sound nothing like the radio version. Bought the album (and got “Tell Me If You Still Care” too), and there it was. Nine minutes of glory.
Another 1983 memory: I went to my first concert. I saw Luther Vandross, DeBarge and The Deele (remember them? Babyface was in the group). I paid $12.00 at the window before the show. When El sang “Time Will Reveal” and he says the line, “What Can I Do,” one woman in the audience answered “I Don’t Know!”
A few others I would add: Luther’s “I’ll Let You Slide,” “Love’s Train” by ConFunkShun (might have been ’82, but it got played plenty in ’83), “I Just Gotta Have You” by Kashif, “Hi How You Doin'” by Kenny G, “Looking For The Perfect Beat” by Afrika Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force and Double Dee & Steinski’s “The Payoff Mix.”
Thanks for the jams, Lady G. Sorry I was so late, but I got a little busy today!
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So you were one of them Seniors that had no damn time for us Freshmen? Class of ’83? Well I was all the way to heaven –’87! Remember that Dougie Fresh jam?
Anyway, I digress.
i know that my response is out of order but let me first say WELCOME! I know that you had to be busy because you are usually one of the first ones in the door. Tikeetha and Ron got in earliest today. Lisa A came around and spent a little time too.
So my Twin was pop locking to “All Night Long?” I would pay money to see that one!
But baby, I flat-lined when you said that the woman at the Debarge concert answered “I don’t know!” to El’s “What can I do?” Now that’s some funny shit right there! But to top that…$12.00 tickets??? Those were the days.
That woman’s response reminds me of a movie that I saw where a white guy makes himself up to look black in order to get a scholarship. In this particular scene, the judge, played by James Earl Jones, was asking the character how he planned to pay the school back for taking the scholarship. Well every time the young man offered to do something, the judge would say “and…” Well after the judge said “and” for about the fourth time, a dude in the audience finally yelled “And yo’ damn mama!” The entire audience hollered! I think the movie was called Soul Man. I can’t be bothered to google it.
You know I love your picks, I used to love “Hi, how you doing?” I forgot that one. You know “Perfect Beat” was the jam! My problem is that I am trying to stay away from too much hip hop but as we get up in the years it is getting harder to do that. What do you think?
Oh yeah, I was listening to “Every girl wants my guy” by Ree Ree and I spit my soda out when she did her little call to Kitty, after hearing some heffas in the background, Ree Ree said, “Kitty do you have a party line? Well let me tell you ALL something…” Then homegirl commences to get ’em all straight! YAAASSSS!!
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Yes, that was Soul Man (the movie). I haven’t seen it in years.
Actually in 1983 I started my senior year in the fall. So I was actually class of 1984.
There were some good memories at that concert. There was one dude singing the lyrics to Laid Back’s “White Horse”. LOL He was high as the sky!
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Beg your pardon class of 1984, hell they weren’t any nicer! LOL!!!
YAAAASSS! Don’t ride no white horse! “Said rich……you bitch!”
That was the joint!
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Bahahahaha…we wanna get things right here! LOL
Yes! One among many around that time.
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Another stellar opening with an engaging story that walks us back in time before easing us into some of the best music of the era. I love the way you do this Gwin. I had to laugh at that DJ’s shift in gears. Back in the day when they did that while I was dancing – I thought I’d hit upclose and personal paydirt – NOT- the little honey would just walk off the floor. LOL.
In 83 I was working hard during the day and partying harder at night. I
Those weekend nights were spent at this club in Rocky Mount NC – the name escapes me. It would escape you to if you were drunk as fish ever time you went in and came out. We were young dumb single and had the money to drink a liquor store’s shelves dry.
Any how 83 was year for outstanding music. I can’t add anything to your list because it surely has all the ones I remember and got down to.
My absolute favorite from 83 was Midnight Star’s “Wet My Whistle”. That beat and tempo with those bass lines were all that.
Eva and Tack’s list looks identical to what was on my cassettes – seriously. Holiday from Madonna was required in every respectable DJ’s crate. And I do believe DJ’s were still digging in crates in 83. ( Some young readers are going to have us laughing our butts off – Whose DJ and why is he digging in a crate?”.
It’s worthy to note too that 83 was before “corporate and streamed radio” ran rampant. R&B and pop stations cranked tunes like Between the sheets by the Isley Brothers , You are in my system by The System , Lil Red Corvette and all the rest of all of those on your wonderful list. DJ’s actually had to work and stations were involved in the community.
83 found me dating a chick named Mollie. A black chick named Mollie – I know right? She was a party girl but could cook like somebody’s mama. We did the club scene until it wore her out and she went back to her boyfriend. Then I met Lucky – that’s another whole blog post.
1983 – You did the year’s music scene justice my lady – you did it in fine style.
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What’s up G?
Glad you made it over to my neck of the woods! I’m always happy to hear from you.
You know, whenever I read your responses, I often think, “This dude has a very interesting life.” Have you considered putting it all down in a book? Or have you done that already? Trust me, there would never be a boring minute. The way you spin a yarn is so delightful.
By the way, I wish I could have seen you DJing in those clubs. And you know I had to laugh myself when you hollered “Who is DJ?” Yep, that’s pretty much what the young’uns are gonna ask.
Oh and you know you wrong for running poor Mollie back home! Did she leave her house shoes and start running barefooted? LOL!
G, I been thinking about doing something on former DJs. I haven’t quite figured out how that will look but i just know that it will come to me. Once I get it all mapped out, I’ll hit you up.
What do you think?
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You know what Lady G. Your clapbacks to my comments are always so elegant and encouraging. I’ve never considered writing a book about myself – I’d have to admit to stuff that while weren’t class A felonies or B misdemeanors – they sure weren’t right. Never stole, killed, or hurt anybody – wait there was this dude who got thrown out of a window in DC one night (he lived – window was two stories up – I ain’t really have “nuffin” to with that.
Anyhow – I’d be glad and honored to help you on any project I can help with. If I can offer something just ask sweetie and you got it.
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BTW – Mollie did leave some house shoes and maxed out credit cards. LOL
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LOL! Mollie was badass wasn’t she?
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Awww…that it so sweet of you G.
But I gotta tell you that I am just now getting off the floor after the comment about the dude that ‘fell’ out the window—“I ain’t had nuffin ta do wit dat!”
You really keep me in stitches!
Thanks for your potential cooperation. I just gotta figure out exactly what I want to do with it.
Thanks again my friend 🙂
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Great picks! I definitely like “PYT” and “China Girl.” “Thriller” is one of my all-time favorite albums. I was listening to SOS Band today. Lol. Hall & Oates are good too.
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I’m glad you liked them Lisa. Thriller was a good one. One of those albums you could listen to all the way through.
BTW, SOS band NEVER gets old!
Thanks for stopping by. T. Wayne should be by soon. Come back to see what he has to say 🙂
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I know! “Thriller” is a classic. They always play SOS Band on the radio here.
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Really? Well that station is on it!
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Awww Cuz, you got my initial on your sweater! So sweet. I was in Comiso, Sicily for most of ’83. I found myself in a forbidden affair, but It was nice. I still touch base with her from time to time, but she’s happily married. Memories of sitting on a rock, looking out over a dark and foreign see, still pleasantly haunt me.
Looks like you, Tack, and Auntie’s list is very thorough. Thanks for sharing.
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Yeah! Gooooooo Ron!
Little did they know, I was cheering about you the whole while!
LOL
I am glad you liked the list. You’re checking in early today, do you have a long day ahead of you?
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Nah. Just found a little extra time
Today.
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What’s your favorite jam from the list?
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Give me an R!!! LOL!
Ahhh Cuz, Cuz, you asked in your post for MEMORIES which I have but I don’t have one fav song from the list. Michael, Jeffrey, DeBarge, Bar-Kay’s, ALL stand out to me. In Sicily, we relied upon tapes sent by folks from home. What one could lay hands on was often old or from dubbing tapes from others, whose taste was their own. I had a boombox, but I don’t remember any specific tapes or songs from my collection.
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I keep forgetting that these were the dark years for you LOL!!!
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Yes, musically it was. I do have some great memories of 83 tho.
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OMG! I love 1983. Girl, every last song has memories even though I was only 8. LOL.
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LOL!! It’s getting more and more fun as the memories get clearer huh?
You are about Tack’s age! That is so funny!
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
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With Love,
Gwin
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And this is a REALLY good live performance of Owner of a Lonely Heart
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