Saturday 9

Saturday 9: The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) 1966

  Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.


1) The bridge that inspired this song is The Queensboro Bridge in New York City. Are you near a bridge right now as you answer these 9 questions?
 I am surrounded by bridges as I live by the seashore. There are big draw bridges, little bridges.. all shapes and sizes. 

One bridge is mentioned in the song "My Eyes Adored You" by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.. "walking home evey day, over Barnegat Bridge and Bay". 

Here are some photos of it: (click to enlarge photos)

Driving home over the bridge

 I took this photo at night ...You can just see the bridge lights.

 

Taken from the car on the way home

Mainland in foreground.. then bridge and bay.. then barrier island and Atlantic Ocean. I live here.

2) Paul Simon says he "loathes" this song and only performs it because fans want to hear it. What's your favorite Paul Simon song? I suppose the 59th Street Bridge Song and Bridge over Troubled Water. 
 
3) "Groovy" is such a 1960s word. What common word/phrase from 2020 do you predict will sound just as silly and quaint some day?
 "Like"
4) Paul is a lifelong Yankees fan and was thrilled to meet his all-time idol, Joe DiMaggio. Mr. DiMaggio was, at first, less than thrilled to meet Paul because he thought the song "Mrs. Robinson" made fun of him. Once Simon convinced him it was an homage, the men got along fine. Do you have a celebrity encounter to tell us about?
Nothing spectacular or worth mentioning, no.
5) Art Garfunkle was the other half of Simon and Garfunkle. Art and Paul met in sixth grade, when were both in a school production of Alice in Wonderland. Tell us about one of your school theatrical appearances.
 I was in some 9th grade play.. I have no clue wha it was about or called.
6) "Artie" used to love needling Paul about his height -- or lack thereof. He maintained he was trying to be funny, but Paul thought is was mean and says the constant digs hurt. Is there anyone in your life who similarly enjoys teasing?
 . Digs about actual physical things is a nasty cheap aggression by jealous people.
7) Paul told NPR that his impulse to write new music has always come "in bursts." He'll go years without composing, and then he'll write every day for months. Do you often feel creative?
 Yes, so I paint and make things.
8) In 1966, when this song was popular, First Daughter Luci Johnson married Patrick Nugent. Their reception was held at the East Room of the White House. The couple had an 8 ft. tall wedding cake and when the bride threw her bouquet, it was caught by her sister, Lynda. Sure enough, Lynda married a year later. Tell us about a wedding you attended (or your own).
 Umm.. I don't recall all that much about the weddings I went to or participated in.
9) Random question: Which do you regret more -- the times you were cautious or the times your were reckless?
 I don't know how to answer. I guess one time when I was a bit reckless.