[Disclaimer: I am not a musician. I can sing. I remember most of the recital piece I played on the piano when I was 6. But I’m not a musician. I know what I like and what I don’t like and what will likely be the soundtrack when I arrive in hell.]

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i | icicle works

I have a few favorite songs from the 80s. I once had loads of favorites, but a lot of them haven’t held up for me. A few songs stand out, though… And they bring back very specific memories.

I have a story for you. Maybe this makes up for me missing my fiction friday posts… although it’s not fiction…

It was one of the nights in Bill’s bedroom. His bedroom was an entire basement. It was huge… he had his bed and a big old la-z-boy recliner at one end [that chair saw some… um… inappropriateness. But that was much later… I’m not going there at the moment] and at the other end… guitars… a keyboard… and a saxophone… and pretty much his own music studio.

BBC (our band, not the channel) used to rehearse (or just fuck around) down there all the time. And it was also our most frequent gathering spot. Probably because that basement was the best kind… a walkout basement.

We snuck into Bill’s basement that night, as we often did. God, I have no idea how many times his parents had no idea anyone was down there with him. Of course, music was out of the question those nights. But laughing happened… quietly, of course… that was a necessity. But on this night, I failed. We heard Bill’s dad (‘Big Bill’) coming down the stairs. Everyone but and I hid in the laundry room. I had to face Big Bill… he knew what he heard wasn’t his kid’s laugh. And Big Bill liked me. And he is one of the coolest dads ever.

‘Oh, it’s just Sandra. Alright, guys. Not past midnight, though…’

And he went back upstairs. I was little Miss A-Student and Big Bill knew that… I think it made him trust me. Which was funny because I was all for inappropriate activities since I had a huge crush on Bill. Just like about 15 other girls. But I also had a crush on everyone else in that basement… Glen and Dave and Matt. I wouldn’t quite call me boy crazy… but I guess you could. I think I knew the whole time that Bill was never going to make a move… he had his pick of girls.

[Aside: Not really relevant here, but two of these guys are professional musicians now. Dave and Matt. So we weren’t just a bunch of hacks. Although, despite the boys’ efforts, I was useless with a guitar].

Once Big Bill was gone, everyone came out of the laundry room… laughing… quietly, of course. As we talked and played stupid games, I realized someone kept getting just a little closer to me. I think he made excuses to get up so when he came back, he could sit closer without being obvious. But I kind of knew.

No… it wasn’t Bill… it was Glen. Just before midnight, he offered me a ride home. On the way, he asked me to the winter dance (referred to as the ‘SnowBall’… so cheesy). And before I got out of the car, he kissed me. And this song was playing…

Love come, down upon us ’til you flow like water
Burning, with the hope of insight
Feathered, look they’re covered with a bright elation
Stolen, in the sight of love

We are, we are, we are but your children
Finding our way around indecision
We are, we are, we are ever helpless
Take us forever, a whisper to a scream

Birds fly, in the eye of the faithless daughter
Broken, at the bitter end
Wasted, sacrifice for a new nirvana
Night time, sends us on our way

We are, we are, we are but your children
Finding our way around indecision
We are, we are, we are ever helpless
Take us forever, a whisper to a scream

honorable mention
Imagine Dragons — I already posted their newest single Believer during the song-a-day challenge… along with what it all means to me. But these guys have other great songs, too… like Demons and It’s Time and I Bet My Life and…

#atozchallenge | music
© 2017 what sandra thinks
[I am not the owner of any rights to the music (song, lyrics, video) featured in this post…]