Saturday 9

 

The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

 Welcome to Saturday 9. Hosted by Samantha! 

Saturday 9: The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) 1966

  Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) The bridge that inspired this song is The Queensboro Bridge in New York City. Are you near a bridge right now as you answer these 9 questions?  No.
  
2) Paul Simon says he "loathes" this song and only performs it because fans want to hear it. What's your favorite Paul Simon song?  I would have to say this song.  I always sing along!
  
3) "Groovy" is such a 1960s word. What common word/phrase from 2020 do you predict will sound just as silly and quaint some day?  “ socially distant”
  
4) Paul is a lifelong Yankees fan and was thrilled to meet his all-time idol, Joe DiMaggio. Mr. DiMaggio was, at first, less than thrilled to meet Paul because he thought the song "Mrs. Robinson" made fun of him. Once Simon convinced him it was an homage, the men got along fine. Do you have a celebrity encounter to tell us about?  One of my all time idols is Robert Fuller of Laramie.  I’ve probably shared this before, but I actually not only got to meet him , but spent about an hour with him and his promoter..  when I was 16.  At the end of our time together, he kissed me on the cheek.  Awesome!

5) Art Garfunkle was the other half of Simon and Garfunkle. Art and Paul met in sixth grade, when were both in a school production of Alice in Wonderland. Tell us about one of your school theatrical appearances. When I was about 10, I was chosen as the head angel for our church nativity at the Christmas chorale program.   I stood up high over the manger scene with my hands folded in prayer  for about 45 minutes. 

6) "Artie" used to love needling Paul about his height -- or lack thereof. He maintained he was trying to be funny, but Paul thought it was mean and says the constant digs hurt. Is there anyone in your life who similarly enjoys teasing?   In elementary school the boy I liked used to teased me about my last name.  I was told by everyone it was because he really liked me, but I did not like it at all.
 
7) Paul told NPR that his impulse to write new music has always come "in bursts." He'll go years without composing, and then he'll write every day for months. Do you often feel creative?  Yes, my blog has demonstrated this over the years. 

 
8) In 1966, when this song was popular, First Daughter Luci Johnson married Patrick Nugent. Their reception was held at the East Room of the White House. The couple had an 8 ft. tall wedding cake and when the bride threw her bouquet, it was caught by her sister, Lynda. Sure enough, Lynda married a year later. Tell us about a wedding you attended (or your own).  I married in 1972.. at that time most wedding receptions that I knew about were held in church fellowship halls. I wanted something different, but it was pretty expensive so to offset costs  we opted for a private wedding with two main beautiful flower arrangements, only very best friends and family were invited. Then we rented the Junior Women’s Club to do a large reception with everyone.  We moved our flowers to the new venue, which had a  lodge like atmosphere with a  stone fireplace, very cosy on a snowy night. We had a pianist play the most appropriate romantic songs.. he was very professional and many people danced.  The venue was beautiful, we opted for heavy hot and cold canapés, etc  and everyone had a lovely evening! 
  
9) Random question: Which do you regret more -- the times you were cautious or the times your were reckless?the times I was cautious. I know because of it I missed out on a lot in life.