This is going to sound so cliché, but nevertheless it’s true. Growing up, times were tough (just gettin’ tougher*whole world is rough*just gettin’ rougher*cover me). (Oh, excuse me, excuse me. Sorry, sorry. For a minute there I thought I was in Paris. 1985. Springteen was singing at Parc De La Courneuve.) By the way, I’m a long-running fan Generation Xer, not a poser millennial. Just Ask Debra.
Anyway, where was I? Oh, yes, times were tough. Often, the only things in the refrigerator were condiments and milk. During those days, I remember my sister Faith had a favorite song she liked to sing, and I loved to hear her sing it. She was 11 years older than me and I thought she was a Broadway star. (She was certainly good enough to be one.*) The name of the song was Downtown.
I was five-years-old and I remember thinking that if we could all get downtown everything would be better. We would have no worries there. The music of the traffic would be a virtual concert and we would literally forget all our troubles.
It is no wonder, then, that I have always had a bend toward urban dwelling. I moved to the urban frontier in 1991 despite the fact my mother worried I’d be murdered and my friends wouldn’t come see me. I only got gravel rash on knees once after skidding (sigh) while running in strappy Egyptian-like sandals (sigh) from a frightened burglar-mugger. I moved six miles out in 1993, but came back in 2001.
Today, I live three blocks from that first apartment, and the neighborhood is as pleasant as a prairie. Times change, but never, ever my affection for the city. Oh, and yes, less than a mile from my house is a Brazilian restaurant where they play Bossa Nova.
Anyway, where was I? Oh, yes, times were tough. Often, the only things in the refrigerator were condiments and milk. During those days, I remember my sister Faith had a favorite song she liked to sing, and I loved to hear her sing it. She was 11 years older than me and I thought she was a Broadway star. (She was certainly good enough to be one.*) The name of the song was Downtown.
I was five-years-old and I remember thinking that if we could all get downtown everything would be better. We would have no worries there. The music of the traffic would be a virtual concert and we would literally forget all our troubles.
It is no wonder, then, that I have always had a bend toward urban dwelling. I moved to the urban frontier in 1991 despite the fact my mother worried I’d be murdered and my friends wouldn’t come see me. I only got gravel rash on knees once after skidding (sigh) while running in strappy Egyptian-like sandals (sigh) from a frightened burglar-mugger. I moved six miles out in 1993, but came back in 2001.
Today, I live three blocks from that first apartment, and the neighborhood is as pleasant as a prairie. Times change, but never, ever my affection for the city. Oh, and yes, less than a mile from my house is a Brazilian restaurant where they play Bossa Nova.
You and me, let's meet there sometime. OK?
*Not kidding
When you're alone
And life is making you lonely,
You can always go downtown
When you've got worries,
All the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know, downtown
And life is making you lonely,
You can always go downtown
When you've got worries,
All the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know, downtown
Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
How can you lose?
The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares and go
Downtown, things'll be great when you'reDowntown, no finer place for sure,
Downtown, everything's waiting for you
Don't hang around
And let your problems surround you
There are movie shows downtown
Maybe you know
Some little places to go to
Where they never close downtown
Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossanova
You'll be dancing with 'em too before the night is over
Happy again
The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares and go
Downtown where all the lights are bright,
Downtown, waiting for you tonight,
Downtown, you're gonna be alright now
And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you,
Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand to
Guide them along
So, maybe I'll see you there
We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares
and go Downtown,
things'll be great when you're Downtown,
don't wait a minute more, Downtown,
everything's waiting for you
(All of these photos were taken in Oklahoma City between Classen Boulevard and 1 block east of Broadway Avenue between NW 23rd and NW 5th.)
18 comments:
You make the city I've lived 33 years in look and sound so romantic! I need to get out of my one mile comfort area and venture...DOWNTOWN!
And congratulations on the award!!
you need to check out photo art studio on 16th just east of Indiana oh and the Lyric Plaza theater there also You'll love the neon...
Great pix-- I enjoy your "urban frontier" posts a good bit; I lived in the Western Addition neighborhood of San Francisco in the 90s, & hung out there & the Mission (pre-gentrification) & the lower Haight & always loved the feel of those rather nitty-gritty neighborhoods.
Wow, that song takes me back. Love it and the pics.
Seeing the Garage Loft neon sign brings back great memories. I had my first kiss there with the most beautiful woman that I had ever seen and would ever see. Even though the Loft seems like an impossing castle fortress it has a special place in my wilderness loving barbarian heart.
Your loving Hubby
What a great post. I love how the visuals blend with the cadence of your words, and all the while that song is playing in my mind. Here's to the urban frontier!
To my beautiful, talented sista...
I'm SOOOO proud of you! Congrats on the award!
Now, get busy! I'm counting on you buying me that gorgeous house up the street from you once you make your FIRST of many millions! I mean it...I'm NOT joking! :)
WHOOO HOOO! Daddy will be so proud, too! He'll think it's all because of him! :)
xoBeck
ohhh that song was on a Petula Clarke album - the first one I ever owned !! won in a competition along with a suzie quatro record :)
love that song and love your city scpae pics :)
congrats on your flowers from the daddy too - you deserve them - le xoxo
Loved the pictures Jen! I have to say, that song brought back some different memories for me at first. My punk band (Wild Women) did a version of that song . . . a little more punked out that Petula Clark's version. We referred to the 'downtown' as heroin when we did the song.
I absolutely loved the pics. You've got quite an eye!
Take care,
Melinda
I came back twice just to listen to the song!! We too moved into the city because we liked the old neighborhoods, the grown trees, the sidewalks and the ability to walk to places instead of drive. But we're still waiting for our urban renaissance. Beautiful city!
Oh wow - I'm having a Petula Clark moment. Aaaaaaand, it's over. The song that always made me feel better was Dancin' in the Streets. I would list the lyrics but I'm famous for screwing up the words to songs and I don't want to embarrass myself.
Unlike you, I miss the country so so much. I hate livin' in town.
That song reminds me of a Seinfeld episode. They were trying to figure out what downtown meant so they kept singing the song.
Personally, I prefer the country where's there is lots of land and fewer people.
Great post. Great blog. So pleased you won runner-up for the 2008 Okie Blog Award in the Best Writing category! You deserve it, Jen! Keep up the great work.
I really enjoyed those pics and I love that song!
@kent - I took pics last night! awesome sign you have! probably the most impressive neon sign outside of garage loft and charcoal oven. i loved it.
hope you got some great pics. thanks for your reply
To my marvelous friend,
Mazel Tov on the award!!! You deserve it!
I love the way that you find so much motivation in music and lyrics. And the photos are wonderful!
Hugs,
Debbie
PS-I would love to meet you for some great Brazilian food and a little Bossa Nova, someday!
Don't forget the neon at Will Rodgers theater on Western. To grand to be forgotten.
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