So I’m strolling down the hotel hall* in my new black flipflops, and as I round a corner it occurs to me that I’m humming “It’s a Hard Knock Life” from the musical Annie (which, by the way, I haven’t seen since elementary school). Suddenly I’m searching the area for a crowbar, a jackhammer, a radio – anything that will pry, pound, or flush the bubbly tune from my cranium. Nothing. I’m stuck. Only hurrying with my ice refill, slapping back down the hall, and throwing myself at my exhausted iPod or the hotel room’s tiny clock radio will do the trick. Until I find out my husband has Phil Collins’ “One More Night” in his head. Goodbye, show tune. Hello sweet, sappy ’80s ballad.
Most of the time it seems like my life is accompanied by a soundtrack not of my own choosing. In college, I once underwent three months in Mexico singing either “Celito Lindo” or the original version of “Macarena” in my off hours. A couple years ago, I spent a weekend rafting on the San Juan River doing everything in time with the decidedly uncatchy “Amie” by Pure Prairie League. Infectious melodies regularly add to my insomniac misery as I sigh through hours of wakefulness with songs ranging from Jack Johnson’s “Good People” to Beck’s “Hell Yes” running an endless loop in the background. And I can never think of the musical West Side Story without suffering a deluge of show tunes, most especially “America”. It’s amazing how often that Romeo and Juliet adaptation comes to mind simply because I try to resist all thoughts of it.
My brother recently proved to me that the best way to lodge a song in someone’s head is to sing only part of it, stopping midway through – preferably in the middle of a word. This way the person’s brain is forced to continue the melody, starting over and over, until it finds a satisfactory ending. Like Sisyphus and the rock, a satisfying climax never occurs. No wonder it’s death to my peaceful mind when I switch stations partway through “The Milkshake Song”. I assure you, however, that I haven’t listened to “It’s a Hard Knock Life”, either in whole or in part, since a friend last subjected me to her cheerful off-key rendition months ago. So what brought it up?
I’m sick of my usual “ear worms” as they’ve come to be called, and am hereby suggesting a trade. I tell you what I have in my head, and you tell me what you’re singing. (Chances are, it’s now one of the songs I’ve mentioned above. I’m so sorry. Truly.) Or are you one of those lucky people who isn’t subjected to fourteen straight hours of “It’s a Small World After All” just because a coworker finishes a story of running into an old classmate in the deli section of her grocery store with a cheerful, “It really is a small world, isn’t it?” If so, not only are you part of the lucky 2%, but you’re really missing out. I mean, you actually have to turn on a radio to hear a little music. Really, I feel so much pity for you.
*Yes, we’re already on vacation, and have been for a while, which is why I haven’t been haunting the blogosphere as much as usual. Expect more of the same over the next several weeks. Not that blogging’s been totally off my mind, of course. Hubs and I already stayed several nights with the delightful, talented Robin, and I’ll meet up with a few others at the RWA conference next week. If you’re going, too, maybe I’ll see you there! (In the meantime, though, be sure to check out Pam’s posts on preparing for Nationals.) So, really, you are far from forgotten, even when I myself am far from a good network connection.
Joanne, check your email. 🙂
Sandmore, that is exactly the song I was referencing, especially since it does just keep playing in my head. Good catch! Oh, and the song “I Feel Pretty” gets caught all the time. It’s just too catchy!
Emily, I’ve heard Wicked is wonderful! Must see it sometime. And yes, listening to the whole song does (sometimes) help me, too.
Jax, sure thing!
Really, Cam? I’m not the only one who’s gotten “Amie” stuck in my head? Oh, I feel so much less lame now! Though after reading your comment, I did get “You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me Lucille” in my head — and quite thoroughly, too!
Ilana, I’ve heard that the Dora song is particularly tenacious. Makes me glad we don’t have kids yet. Kids’ songs are often so obnoxious, too.
Oh, yes, Mizzz_K — “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. I kind of like that one, though it is hard to get out sometimes. And thanks for the RWA best wishes. It’s only a few days off, and I’m really looking forward to it!
Brandy, I don’t think I know that one, and I’m glad I don’t, although now I have to admit I’m curious that I’m giong to look it up. Is it a church hymn? It kind of looks like it, but my Latin (or whatever) is terrible.
I learned it in Chorale about 20 years ago. *g* Funny how whenever I get an earworm it’ usually music that I’ve learned for a purpose. Then again, I was the kid running around the grocery store with my Mom singing the band-aid song when I was 5. Always have had music in my life in one form or another. *G*
Well thanks for planting those songs in my head. I’ll look forward to seeing you at RWA!
OMG, now I have ALL these songs in my head.
I used to be friends with these four guys in a moderatley successful band who moonlighted where I worked. They would TORTURE me by dropping by my cube at different times, usually individually, and start singing REALLY BAD catchy 80s tunes . . . and then leave and go “Have fun singing it in your head the rest of the day.” And damn if it didn’t happen!!!!
E
Okay, Brandy. Now I don’t feel so ignorant. And as for commercials? They’re the worst. I think that’s one of the biggest perks to go along with not having TV.
Hey, no problem, Eileen! And I can’t wait to meet up. 🙂
You’re most welcome, Erica. And so mean of your friends singing to you all the time. Though I suppose being serenaded on occasion could be worth it if the guy is an all right singer.
I feel for you on the music thing. I’ve had that True Love’s Kiss song from ENCHANTED in my head for days. My brain seems to think it’s some kind of mantra. Ugh.
“Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don’t you remember
We built this city, we built this city on rock and…”
Susan, I had that in my head for a long time after watching the movie! Disney is really good at making tunes that stick.
Mike, after you sent m the link to the video (in another email) I had that song stuck in my head for hours. In fact, I was singing it for much of the night. Ugh! I suppose I do deserve it, though.
What a great topic for a blog. I had a great time meeting you, Caryn. (If you’re the Caryn whose nap I interrupted at conference!) One of the songs that tends to take up residence in my head is, oddly enough, also from ANNIE–“Tomorrow.”