Young at Heart

This week, boys and girls, I’ve chosen quite the classic for you. “Young at Heart” performed by Frank Sinatra is a beloved song that has stood the test of time.

Wikipedia states, “‘Young at Heart’ is a pop standard, a ballad with music by Johnny Richards and lyrics by Carolyn Leigh. The song was written and published in 1953, with Leigh contributing the lyrics to what was originally a Richards instrumental called ‘Moonbeam.’ Frank Sinatra was the first performer to record the song, which became a million-selling hit in 1953 (and spilling over with popularity into 1954). The song was such a hit that a movie that Sinatra was filming at the same time with Doris Day was renamed to the song title, and the song was included in the opening and closing credits of the movie, which was released as Young at Heart.”

Youth has meant different things throughout the years. Now people are trying to stay so “young” that they are filling their bodies with unnatural fluids, and stretching their skin in ways in was not meant to be stretched! What is this fascination with looking “young” and where did it come from? What does “young” really mean? Are we going about it in the right way?

As you read the lyrics below, ask yourself what being “young” means to you.
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Young at Heart by Frank Sinatra

Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you
If you’re young at heart.
For its hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind
If you’re young at heart.

You can go to extremes with impossible schemes.
You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams.
And life gets more exciting with each passing day.
And love is either in your heart or on its way.

Don’t you know that it’s worth every treasure on earth
To be young at heart.
For as rich as you are it’s much better by far
To be young at heart.

And if you should survive to 105
Look at all you’ll derive out of being alive!
Then here is the best part:
You have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart.

And if you should survive to 105
Look at all you’ll derive out of being alive!
Then here is the best part:
You have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart.

*Lyrics provided by www.lyricsfreak.com
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How does this song make you feel?
When was the last time you felt like “young”?
What does this song remind you of?
In the busy, crazy world that we live in, what can we do to stay young?

This week’s challenge: Go have some fun! Try doing what you did as a kid: go to a park, play a board game, watch a cartoon, or get some ice cream! Just get out and enjoy life, and see if it makes you feel any younger.

Click on the YouTube link below to hear the song:

Does Your Cat Have a Mustache?

Well, it’s been two weeks since my last post. My most humblest apologies to all of my readers…all five of you. But this week I bring to you a fun, funky modern indie rock song that is sure to have your brain a’bubblin!

This week’s song is called “Does Your Cat Have a Mustache” by The Format.

Here is some information on the band from Wikipedia: “The Format was an indie pop band formed by Arizona natives Nate Ruess and Sam Means [2001]. The band announced a hiatus on February 4, 2008. Their style can be considered a mixture of indie, alternative, punk and folk music, with elements of 1960s and 1970s pop music. … The Format chose their name to make fun of the music industry's inclination towards a cookie-cutter ‘format’ for a hit.” You can find more information at www.wikipedia.org or www.theformat.com. The chosen song is from their 2007 album “B-Sides and Rarities.”

I have no history on the meaning of this song, so this will be fun! No right or wrong answer or interpretation (not that there ever is). It’s just a fun, quirky song that you like more with every play.

So as you read the words below, keep your mind open and free. It may sound like nonsense to you. Or it might be confusing. Or maybe it’s trying to tell a story. I don’t know, you tell me!

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Does Your Cat Have a Mustache by The Format

I want it all.
Even the raindrops won't fall in my way.
I'm parting the seas.
I'm setting the standard for living a dream
By staying awake
And counting the days.
I'm falling in love by the side of the road.

Mrs. Math do you always count to thirteen?
Holding sunsets
Voting on pieces of string?
Wishy-wash, tabletop, one, two, three.
Does your cat have a mustache?
Does it remind you of me?

I want it all.
Even for me the autumn leaves stay green.
And all of the clams that is holding your hand
Could never, ever take the place all like me.
But now forget the time.
It's a crime
That the pearl of a girl
Has been waiting to be set free...

Mrs. Math do you always count to thirteen?
Holding sunsets
Voting on pieces of string?
Wishy-wash, tabletop, one, two, three.
Well, does your cat have a mustache?
Does it remind you of your cat with a mustache?
Does it remind you of...

The ships that sail towards the west
The largest guard the treasure chest.
The water never harms the mast.
It's the clouds that fool the sun to set.

…

Cover your eyes.
Try and walk a straight line.
I dare you, the darkness is robbing us blind.
And although I can't see your heart
I can still hear it beat from your breast.
It's like a lighthouse.
It's like a lighthouse.

I'm gonna find you.
I'm gonna find you.
I'm gonna find you.
I'm gonna find you.

*Lyrics provided by www.songmeanings.net
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What do you think this song is saying? Does it NEED to say anything? Do you like songs like this that don’t seem to necessarily go anywhere, or do they just annoy you? Did you like the song? Does your brain hurt?

This week’s challenge: Do something JUST for the fun of it! Cook marshmallows over your stove top. Ask to walk a friend’s dog for no reason. Write a silly song or poem of your own. Just find a way to get creative and enjoy the silliness and spontaneity in life!

To hear the song (and trust me you do), click on the YouTube link below: