Oldies But Goodies

When the Hens and I were driving to F-ville Saturday night, I turned the radio to an 80's retro show. Since I was the Designated Driver, I felt I had total control over the radio. "Word Up" by Cameo came on and I started singing along. I remember loving that song, but loving the video more--the singer wore a cock-shield over his pants. Anything that has to be contained with armor has my attention. The Hens were talking amongst themselves, not paying much attention to the music. That's until "Bruce" by Rick Springfield came on.

Here's the lyrics:

BRUCE (Rick Springfield)

Doctor Doctor you got to help me yeah

You got to make it right for me

It seems this other man's name's been

Following me around and it just won't let me be

You see I've got this name and he's got this name too

And they're kind of close only a blind crazy fool

Would think I was him it's like saying green is blue

But let me tell you brother it all started being a bother

When he made the cover of Time magazine

I was at this party in the well heeled hills

Just the other night

Her name was Shelly I introduced myself

She just smiled and said "Oh right"

Well we got talking and drinking wine

She said she liked my music thought it was fine

She said "let's make love your place or mine"

And in the middle of the passion I was on the border line

When she called out a name but it wasn't mine

She called me Bruce (Bruce) Bruce (Bruce)

I can hear her calling Bruce (Bruce) Bruce (Bruce)

I can hear her calling Bruce (Bruce) Bruce (Bruce)

I can hear her

My name is Rick

I'm gonna stick it to you babe

Well there's this kid walkin' carrying a guitar

You know I told him that I play

He asked me my name you know I told him

I said it plain as clear as day

Well he seemed really clearly sincerely impressed

And as he pulled a piece of paper for me to sign from his vest

He said "I thought Born To Run was one of your best"

Oh wait a minute man who do think I am?

He answered

"Mr. Springsteen, you're a famous man"

He called me Bruce (Bruce) Bruce (Bruce)

I can hear him calling Bruce (Bruce) Bruce (Bruce)

He called me Bruce (Bruce) Bruce (Bruce)

I can hear him

My name is Richard

I'm gonna hit it to you babe

You know my mama called me long distance yesterday

And as she got off the phone I swear I heard her say

Bye bye Bruce (Bruce) Bruce (Bruce)

I can hear her calling Bruce (Bruce) Bruce (Bruce)

She called me Bruce (Bruce) Bruce (Bruce)

I can hear her

My name is RickyI'm gonna stick it to you babe

Oh She called me Bruce (Bruce)

What?

She called me Bruce (Bruce)

She called me Bruce (Bruce)

She called me Bruce (Bruce)

(REPEAT AND FADE)

I started laughing when I heard that song. I hadn't thought of it in probably15 years. It used to crack me up and I bet you I drove DJ JD nuts by requesting it every hour at Rafters. For parties at my apartment, I would record songs from the radio onto cassette tapes so that it sounded like we had a DJ manning our parties. One particular tape had the Bruce song on it four times. For a brief month, a neighbor would knock on our door and say "Hey Bruce, can you turn down your music a knotch."

But the Hens didn't like it. They started shouting, "Change the station." "I hate Bruce Springsteen." "Fuck the 80's."

I'm like "The 80's were cool. It's not Bruce singing, it Rick Springfield. How can anyone hate the Boss??"

I refused to change the station. Dena said listening to retro music depressed her...made her feel old. It doesn't make me feel old. In fact, I feel young when I listen. Great memories come alive. Places and people I don't think about often are live in my mind, as the song plays. Age is inevitable if we're lucky. We sure can't run from it.