Sunday, April 2. 2023
The definition of nostalgia is a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations. I am always so nostalgic for things from the 1950s, which is odd because I don’t have happy personal associations because I WASN’T BORN YET. Yet, when I see Christmas decorations from the 50s, I am swept away. I figure it makes sense because those decorations were probably still around when I was little and somehow that works. I love the music and the movies – those too probably held on, and I did hear and see them as a young person. Anyway, it always amuses me that I am such a sucker for the pop culture of the 50s.
We went to see the show The Simon and Garfunkel Story and I was instantly swept back in time to happy high schoolness when the show started with the Sound of Silence. Nostalgia for something other than the 50s was new to me. Then the narration said Paul and Art were born in 1941. What? Before we got into WWII? What? Math! Do math! 1941+18 = 1959. 1959? They started out in the 50s? Huh? Then I thought about the Graduate. 1968. Or 1967. I couldn’t have been listening to them when I was 3, could I? I was so confused. As the show progressed, I found out they broke up after recording Bridge Over Troubled Water in 1970. Simon and Garfunkel weren’t a thing when I was old enough to know stuff? What? How was I having all this warm, fuzzy feeling without actually having had personal experience? Why am I nostalgic only for things from before I was me? SO weird.
Then they got to the concert in Central Park, 1981. There’s a date I can remember – high school at its best. Perfect! I did know them from my actual life. I was so glad. I did more math and figured out Paul and Art are 82 this year. Wow.
During the show, I was really thinking about writing something thoughtful about remembering the times of our lives, and/or how music is so important throughout our lives. Instead, I wrote the above, because it is late, and I am so tired. G’night.
I think you ended up giving us a good example of remembering and of music being important, even if it wasn’t exactly what you meant to do at first. And some insight into how complicated nostalgia can be. Thanks for another interesting thing to think about.
Well good then!