Monday, December 5, 2022
I was thinking about Uncle Jack earlier today (same as I have over the last few days, of course)
and I have this memory from when I was a kid and it comes back to me whenever I hear this particular song
It’s “Garden Party” by Ricky Nelson…
I couldn’t tell you exactly Where this happened -or even When …but I want to say it was sometime in the early to mid-70s and maybe in Newfoundland -but it might actually have been in Nova Scotia; possibly when Jack was visiting
but I remember being a little boy and that song was playing on the radio and Jack was singing along…
and -as he would do- he was hamming it up a bit by throwing a little vocal “swoop” into the song here and there…
It’s a Good memory
anyway, I was just thinking about the lyrics to that song and decided to look them up online…
and a lot of it really felt very much like Jack to me… although some of the words hurt a bit to read
but I like thinking of Uncle Jack in the same vein that I think of this song
and I hope he’s enjoying his Own garden party with some old, missing friends …
and that the Music is to His liking
I went to a garden party
To reminisce with my old friends
A chance to share old memories
Play our songs again
When I got to the garden party
They all knew my name
No one recognized me
I didn't look the same
But it's all right now
I learned my lesson well
You see, you can't please everyone
So you got to please yourself
People came from miles around
Everyone was there
Yoko brought her walrus
There was magic in the air
And over in the corner
Much to my surprise
Mr. Hughes hid in Dylan's shoes
Wearing his disguise
But it's all right now
I learned my lesson well
You see, you can't please everyone
So you got to please yourself
Lot-da-da
Lot-in-da-da-da
Played them all the old songs
I thought that's why they came
No one heard the music
Didn't look the same
I said hello to "Mary Lou"
She belongs to me
When I sang a song about a honky-tonk
It was time to leave
But it's all right now
I learned my lesson well
You see, you can't please everyone
So you got to please yourself
Lot-da-da
Lot-in-da-da-da
Someone opened up a closet door
And out stepped Johnny B Goode
Playing guitar like a-ringin' a bell
And lookin' like he should
Now if you gotta play at garden parties
I wish you a lotta luck
But if memories were all I sang
I'd rather drive a truck
And it's all right now
I learned my lesson well
See, you can't please everyone
So you got to please yourself
Lot-da-da (lot-da-da-da)
Lot-in-da-da-da
And it's all right now, yeah
I learned my lesson well
You see, you can't please everyone
So you got to please yourself
