New Music

By Joe Rector

I love music. No, that doesn’t include every genre. Hip-hop is one that I don’t understand; neither am I a fan of opera. Otherwise, I’ll lend an ear to music, at least for a song or two. My life can be traced through the songs that were playing at any point in time. When television offers nothing on the hundreds of channels and streaming services, a visit to YouTube to listen to “one hit wonders” from several years ago is just the right activity.

My iPhone contains a partial library of songs I enjoy. Many of them played on the radio during my teen years. Others were popular when I attended college, met Amy, and fell head-over-heels in love. Yes, some remind me of the times when Lacey and Dallas were young, and as we tried to figure out how to be everywhere at the same time.

A simple song can light up my face when I hear just the first couple of notes. The song “39-21-40 Shape” is humorous simply because of the numbers, but I smile as that song takes me back to being a high school freshman who sat in a garage and listened to the neighborhood kids work on their set lists. By my senior year, Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears became my favorites. Sprinkled in were other such classics as “Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “My Girl.”

Instead of “my life being measured out in coffee,” it’s been set in motion with 4/4 or 3/4 time. I was never a listener to only one genre of music. I liked the early Beatles stuff, but I also stayed true to Elvis. At some point, rock music strayed into the “strange phase” just a bit too much for me, and I became a country fan. To this day, I like artists who have that unique sound that mixes twang with lyrics about broken hearts or muddy water and barrooms.

I celebrated another birthday not long ago, and since then, I’ve been feeling old. Many people would quickly agree that I am a senior citizen, and that’s all right. The benefits of being freed from conventions and appropriate behavior work just fine for me. The problem with getting old is that I don’t seem to be able to find any new music. Of course, I’m speaking metaphorically. All I hear are the same things from a lifetime of good and bad times.

We of the Baby Boomer generation still take up plenty of space on this planet, but in so many ways, we ware “stuck in the mud” of what used to be. Our only hope is to find new things to try. My woodworking hobby has been a blessing, although I’ve managed to cut off one finger, and still struggle to saw a straight line or align pieces of projects.

My golf game has progressed slightly. Being unable to swing hard has actually improved my game, as shots tend to go in the general direction I am aiming. Golf is a young man’s sport. I watched brother Jim’s grandson crush balls that resembled home runs in ballparks. I like the game of golf; however, I know the day after, I’ll be reaching for the Ben Gay and swallowing a handful of Tylenol.

Many people would suggest I just sit back and enjoy my golden years. That’s not something I can do. The old adage is that when an old man sits down, he is marking time until the end comes. Besides, I am too easily bored to sit around all day. Amy swears I am always piddling to keep from spending time with her, but that’s not true. I want to keep moving as long as my old body allows me.

For several years, I’ve visited a workout facility at least a couple of times each week. Even though I hate weight training, I hate being sedentary more. Last week, I managed to in some way pull, strain, rupture, or break something. My gym days are on hold as my body tries to fix what is out of whack. I’m hoping that comes sooner than later because an old guy like me can put on the pounds quickly.

I’ve always enjoyed new music. As the years pass, my ear turns more toward religious songs. Old hymns are wonderful, and some new songs also bring comfort and enjoyment. Heck, I’ve even sung a couple of solos at church. They aren’t spectacular, but I made it through them without anyone running for the doors or God sending an angry bolt of lightning at me to shut me up. Maybe I am finding a couple of new types of music in this remaining time on earth.

I hope all are able to enjoy the music that fills their stories on this earth. I also hope folks will find new music that excites them and gives them the energy to push on through. Live hard now! Hear new melodies in the waning years of life.  We will have plenty of time to rest before long.