ALONG COMES MARY

A storm has welcomed its way to Los Angeles. While today was pretty brutal out there, yesterday was God smacking beautiful to be on the roads. The sky was blue, the sun was shining in that intense way before the clouds roll in and all the trees surrounding me were perfect. I always call the sky “Pixar Clouds” when they have that 3D way to them.

I was playing one of my many mixed CD’s and on came one of my most favorite songs. It was Joni Mitchell’s Song for Sharon (from her album, Hejira). I found myself truly soaking in every word and drifting back a bit to a long time ago…

The year was 2006, I was working at a theatre box office and certain circumstances going on were finding me pretty miserable. I was single and felt very alone. I always recall an adorable couple that bought tickets to that night’s performance of Beauty and the Beast. There was a spiel of questions I had to ask. I think it went something like, “For marketing purposes, how did you hear about us?” and the young man’s answer was, “We’re on our honeymoon from Rhode Island and just walked by the theatre!” I hope I didn’t look as bad to them as I felt. While I was super happy for this couple, I was also so sad and thinking, will this ever be my life? I want to fall in-love, get married, take trips, be happy.

I vividly remember listening to this song that evening. And writing in my journal that I feel like a poor soul character from this song. Hejira, as well as her album, Blue (The Tori Amos-esque albums of its era), spoke to me so much back then, in those tough days of my life. Trying to figure myself out, be my own person, be free, just be.

“There’s a gypsy down on Bleaker Street/I went in to see her as a kinda-joke…..”

When I was in New York back in 2011 and found myself in Lower East, I purposely got off at Bleaker Street as a homage to Song for Sharon. Some songs have just stayed with me, even if I have at last changed (thank goodness) and things are getting better, which they are.

“I went to every wedding in that little town/to see the tears and the kisses/ and the pretty lady in the white lace wedding gown.”….

Another line that spoke to me; I did used to notice when there were weddings taking place. I never did ‘crash’ one or sneak in, but they have long fascinated me. So many lyrics in this song speak to me, and I was just reminded of that…

It’s amazing, how so many memories come flooding back and you find yourself recalling years long past, simply because of the weather, whats around you and the song playing.

Below, is my favorite video of Song for Sharon. The illustrations are outstanding and any chance I get to share it, I want to. Enjoy and what are some songs that will always move you?

Happy Weekend! xo