Groovy Birthday to Kathleen!

I don’t know about you, but this Wednesday feels like a Friday with a lot of stuff to catch up on before the weekend. I suppose it’s just the bluster and business of getting ready for the library’s summer reading program. Lots of schedules to look at, dates to verify, and best of all, children to sign up!

So may be you need to slow down a bit and just, I don’t know, have a chat with a lamp post or something. I may try that later. This town probably already thinks their librarian is a bit of a nut.

Today, June 5th, is Kathleen’s birthday. Kathleen is a regular supporter and a constant encouragement to me here on Jeff’s Song of the Day. You can visit her blog and enjoy her garden observations over at Course of Our Seasons where you’ll find her poems and lovely photos.

For her birthday tune, Kathleen has requested Simon and Garfunkel’s “59th Street Bridge Song,” often referred to by it’s famous refrain, “Feelin’ Groovy.” It’s from their legendary 1966 album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. Those of you with an editor’s sharp eye will notice that they don’t use the Oxford Comma in their collection’s title. Such young rebels they were!

You don’t have to be on Manhattan’s Queensboro Bridge to sing this song. You don’t even need cobblestones. Just try to slow down a bit and don’t go to fast today. I was looking for a live version of the song and found this recording from 1967 on the Smother’s Brothers’ show where the brothers surprise by joining in as backup singers. You can listen to a more crisp, studio version by clicking here. Happy birthday, Kathleen!

Congratulations Are in Order!

I’ve mentioned that you can request songs, so please do! Just know, that unlike my brother Jeff, I’m rubbish at remembering birthdays. I mean, it took me a week and a reminder to do a Mother’s Day Song. So if you want a song for a birthday or special occasion, just let me know. Use the message box or hit me up by email (jeffssongoftheday at gmail dot com) or on the socials.

Lots of graduations are going on! Susquehanna University here in town had theirs over the weekend, and others near by over the previous two weeks. Today’s music dedication goes out to two graduates from their proud momma, my friend Christine. Tessa Romani graduated on Friday from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Psychology. Her sister, Isabella, now Dr. Isabella Romani, graduated the week before from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry!

Fantastic news and congratulations to to both of you! Sometimes we have a two-for-Tuesday feature, so I guess we can call this “more for Monday.” You each deserve a song, and your mom had some great suggestions. First up, one of my favorites, “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. It was the third single from her debut album and her first top ten hit in the US.

The second song is from two music legends, Whitney Houston and Maria Carey, recorded for the 1998 animated film The Prince of Egypt. The full version played over the movies ending credits and was featured on albums by both artists.

So, as you go out and write your own stories now, believe in yourselves! You have reason to be proud.