For me, there truly is a song for EVERY occasion, and I know for a fact music can lift the mood of ANYONE who takes the time to listen to it! Consider the following examples:
One day after being out for two and a half hours and only two people stopping, and only one of those people actually taking the paper, it was as if the floodgates of the heavens opened up,
And the songs that we’re playing in the background were VERY appropriate — “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James and “Only the Lonely” by Roy Orbison. Truth be told I’d rather go blind than see no traffic on my corner. It can get pretty lonely out there.
A lady played/sang “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus during a recent visit and they invited me to sing along too!
A guy who was hauling a John Deere tractor got a kick out of the fact that John Deere Green just happened to be playing as he went by. I got a big ol’ smile, a little chuckle, and a thumbs up from him as he drove by.
Another customer told me he noticed how I’m ALWAYS listening to music and wearing a variety of hats. He played Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” for me, (one of my personal favorites). He encouraged me to do my part and sing along. For my efforts he gave me a green Beatles hat with “Let It Be” on it. He even took the time to share another Beatles hit during his visit, ‘“I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” Super cool!
Laura, a receptionist from one of my doctor’s offices, stopped at the light and said hello. She mentioned that I was “looking good” as the song “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra played in the background. Even though I’m NOT a Sinatra fan, I couldn’t help but smile.
Others have stopped to share their jam, especially when mine wasn’t working. They too are much appreciated. For instance, someone recently stopped and asked, “Hey, do you know this one?” He then played the “Cha Cha Slide” (perhaps due to the singer’s recent untimely passing). I honestly can’t remember attending a gathering that involved dancing when this song was not played at some point.
A man driving by in his truck listening to Spotify took time to share some old school country i.e. “Hey Good Lookin” by Hank Williams followed by Louis Armstrong’s “A Kiss To Build A Dream On.” I commented on how nice it was to find a kindred spirit who listens to music like I do. He just smiled and said,”We’re probably about the same age.” Turns out he was right. We are both in our mid-50’s!
Having read my article about an Eagles concert I attended a while back, someone stopped by to share “New Kid In Town” by the Eagles. They noted how appropriate it was since they were relatively new in town.
Someone stopped and asked me if I knew “Please Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna. I said yes, that I actually had written an article with that as a title. He replied, “I think I’d like to read that.” I told him I’d get him a copy, and he actually came back a few weeks later to get it!
A young lady who was having a particularly hard time stopped by my corner to request “Broken Wing” by Martina McBride. She’s one of my all-time favorites, and a real go to for me in karaoke because she sings songs like I write — real stories about real life.
In contrast, that same day, a young couple stopped with a request of their own: “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran. They looked SO cute together!
On the lighter side, a woman recently pulled up alongside me rockin’ out to “Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson. They seemed amused when I turned my music down and began to sing along to theirs.
Similarly, a young man came by blasting “She Used To Be Mine” by Brooks and Dunn. He did a double take and smiled when I walked up and started singing along.
I paused to listen as a car stopped in traffic playing Adele’s “Go Easy On Me.” As I began to sing, the driver smiled and gave me a thumbs up as she drove away. The woman in the car behind her, realizing what I was doing, got in on the action and rolled down her window to share Alicia Keys’s “If I Ain’t Got You” saying, “I KNOW you’ve sang her stuff before.” I just nodded yes, and kept right on singing!
The next car followed suit and she too rolled her window down and gave me $2 saying that I was, “fun to watch,”and seeing me out there singing made her smile. Well, let me assure you, it does wonders for me too. That’s why I do it, and it helps pass the time. If it helps others get through their day, I’m happy to be of service!
Today I came across a young man with the smooth sound of Ella Fitzgerald turned up as if it was a rock song. I immediately paused the Billy Joel song I was listening to, and walked up to the vehicle. He turned his radio down. I said no, please don’t. He said it’s Ella Fitzgerald. I said I know! As I started to sing along, he was grinning from ear to ear until the light changed and just like that, he was gone.
All I can say is, “Let the music play on!”
Onlookers/potential customers feel free to “Come on and Sing Along!”