A Birthday Card:Pt.1

Today's post is the first of a two parter. Its going to be different than any of my other series. It's being written specifically for one person. I hope anyone who is reading this gets something out of it, but it is written for my cousin, Gary, who is turning 60 today, March 2nd. 

Born 6 months and 7 days before me, Gary and I spent a lot of time together as we were growing up. Although we've only seen each other a few times since I moved to Kentucky, we still remain lifelong friends. We are the two middle sons in each of our families, which included a dozen kids. So naturally, we hung out with each other. 

One of the things we had in common was that we loved listening to music and singing. I can't tell you the hundreds of hours we spent listening to the radio, playing records and singing our favorite songs together. It started when we were in grade school during our frequent family get-togethers and continued into our 30s, at Karaoke nights. 

I consider Gary one of the three biggest influences in my life when it comes to my taste in music. The other two being my dad and my sister, Peggy. 

The wonderful thing about songs you hear on the radio throughout your life is that they serve as mental bookmarks. Hear one of them and it immediately reminds you of a person, place, or event. 

There are a hundreds of songs that remind me of times I shared with my cousin. When I hear them, the first thought that comes to me is, "This is a Gary song." 

So in honor of his birthday, although there are a lot more, I'm going to list 60 songs I think would be included on the soundtrack of our friendship. 

I will break them down into lists that fit into several categories. Some require details. Others will be explained simply by the name of the category. 

This post series is not only to remember the songs but the bonds and memories of a life long friendship. And it is by no means a complete list. 

I know each song I mention will bring back a memory for the "birthday boy". He will more than likely remember the reason I've included each and every one of them. After all he was there too. The details I share are for those reading this who weren't. I sure hope at least some of them evoke some personal memories for you as well. I've got along list to get through so here we go. 

But First The Albums

This first list is not included in the "Top 60" but are still just as important. These are entire albums from groups or singers we liked so much that we just dropped the record player needle onto song 1 side 1 or pressed the "play" button on the tape player and enjoyed. 

Sesame Street Original Cast Album: While this album was intended for preschoolers, (my parents got it for my 5 year old sister) this album had an impact on a couple of 9 year old boys. We were both fans of the show, especially the puppets, Ernie & Burt. They were our favorite comedy team. Did I mention we were 9?

One of my favorite stories that has to do with Sesame Street  is about the day when Gary and I went to a store near his house and saw an "Ernie" puppet in the toy department. On the way home, Gary found a $5 bill. He went back to the store and bought the puppet. I was so excited and jealous at the same time. I eventually got an "Ernie" of my own that Christmas. 

Best of The Bee Gees: This was before the whole disco part of their career; when they made really good records. It included songs like: "New York Mining Disaster", "To Love Somebody", and "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?". 

Four Seasons Greatest Hits: We loved singing along with "Marlena", "Rag Doll" and all the songs on this album.

The Beach Boys Endless Summer: This was one of our favorite albums to listen to in our teens. By the time we found this one, we had gone from records to cassette tapes. 

The Beatles Greatest Hits 67-70: This one of from when we in our Early 20s. Gary was married and his first son, Gary Jr., had just been born. In the basement of his apartment he had a ping pong table. We spent hours and hours down there just volleying with each other. He always seemed to beat me by the same score, 21-12. On the boom box in that basement was this double cassette. 

There you have the groups and their albums that will always be connected to my cousin. 

Gary's Favorites

This inital list of songs are those that I associate with Gary because he really liked them. They weren't necessarily my favorites but he sure did. They always make me think of him. I am listing them in chronological order of their release date. The numbers are just to show that there are part of the 60 in my overall list. 

1. Let's Lock The Door-Jay & The Americans

2. Castles In The Air-Don McLean

3. Gypsy Woman-Brian Hyland

4. Easy Lovin-Freddie Hart

5. Betcha By Golly Wow-Stylistics

6. Behind Closed Doors-Charlie Rich

7. Sad Sweet Dreamer-Sweet Sensation

Songs We Both Liked

As kids, Gary and I spent a lot of time at each other's houses. Sometimes it was when our families visited, at weekend sleep overs, or for a week over summer vacation. A lot of that time was spent listening to the radio, or playing records. These are a few of the songs that both of us liked. We always sang along. 

  8. Back To School- Timmy Rogers

This 1957 hit was the 2nd song on a 6 song 45 that Gary owned. A song I'll mention later was the 1st. The time between the songs was less than a second. So as soon as song # 1 was finished, almost immediately the first line of this one began. It was so familiar to us that we even sang the start of this one as if it was a continuation of the first. It always made us laugh. 

  9. Hello Muddah Hello Faddah-Alan Sherman 

10. Monster Mash-Bobby Pickett

11. Wonderful Summer-Robin Ward

12. White On White-Danny Williams

13. Laurie-Dickey Lee

14. Dandy-Herman's Hermits

15. The Summer Wind-Eddy Arnolds

16. I'll Be With You Always-Jonathan Frid

A spoken word song by the actor who played Barnabas Collins on the Gothic TV soap opera, Dark Shaows. 

17. It Hurts Me-Elvis Presley

The live recording from his 69 comeback special

18. Angel Sunday-Jim Ed Brown

19. Where Evil Grows-The Poppy Family

20. If You Could Read My Mind-Gordon Lightfoot

21. Clair-Gilbert O'Sullivan

22. Ever Gentle Ever Sweet-Bill Gaither Trio

23. Daddy What If-Bobby Bare

24. Ride'em Cowboy-Paul Davis

25. Summer The First Time-Bobby Goldsboro
26. Swamp Witch-Jim Stafford

27. Come Monday-Jimmy Buffett

28. You Ain't Seen Nothin Yet-Bachman Turner Overdrive

29. Seasons In The Sun-Terry Jacks

30. I Go Crazy-Paul Davis

31. Is This Heaven-Moody Blues

There you have the first half of my 60 song list. Yet to come are songs about romance, those we sang together, and then some that require a bit of a story. 

All of those will be coming up in part 2 of my special 60th birthday card to my cousin and best friend.  See you again next time.