I’m not usually a fan of big declarative statements. Just as soon as they leave my lips something comes along to prove me wrong or shake my faith. But on this I’m pretty sure I can stand firm, no wavering.
If not even the tiniest, most tucked away part of you doesn’t light up at Kool and the Gang’s Celebration, then we probably aren’t going to make it as friends.
There it is. I’ve said it. It’s out there. No backsies.
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| There's a party goin' on right here. |
I’m not saying that you have to love it the way that I do. You don’t have to be instantly transported back to being twelve years old and dancing in the aisles of the Oakland Colosseum as the A’s win another game. You don’t have to remember grooving in the back of your dad’s wood-paneled station wagon as he cranks up the volume on KFRC. But if your head doesn’t start to sway just a little when that horn section starts in, well, the truth is, I feel a little sorry for you.
Cause that song is joy, plain and simple. I know that moments of joy aren’t really in right now, especially the spontaneous, bubbling over the brim kind. Those times where you laugh a little too loud in a quiet cafe, or can’t keep the smile off your face as you walk down the street. I get that. Times are tough. You don't have to convince m. We’re supposed to be solemn, cynical. We should be contemplating the end of the world and all that. After all, if the Mayan calendar doesn’t get us, then the mutated super bees surely will.
But let’s be honest, 1980, when this song came out, wasn’t exactly the best of times either. There were recessions and gas shortages, middle eastern conflicts and, of course, the killer bees. If we allowed ourselves a little over four minutes of unadulterated joy back then, and it didn’t hasten the end of world, then I doubt it’s going to now.
So go on. Click the button. Play the song. Groove a little in your own way. You know you want to. If you don’t, it’s like the bees have already won.
9 comments:
love, love, love that song! it takes me back to being a junior in high school and our football team going to the state finals and i was happily in love and making straight As in school and headed to college soon and LIFE (mostly) ROCKED! thanks for the video link and for the four minutes of unmitigated joy!
(i'd apologize for the explosion of exclamation points above, but unmitigated joy calls for exclamation points, doncha think?!)
When you see me dancing in white shoes like Kool & The Gang, you know I'm doing some serious celebrating. Great post.
oh, you got me. I kind of hate this song since I've had to listen to it since *high school*, but you're right - when you said it was "pure joy," you nailed it. Love the idea of little you dancing around to it!
okay, i watched the video, even at the risk of lodging that song in my head for days....they look so *happy*! I dearly hope that these guys have all had beautiful lives ever since then.
Toni - You never have to apologize to me for exclamation points! And it does sound like life ROCKED. I love how in just a couple of beats a song can take you right back.
Mario - White shoes mean business, man.
Sophie - oh, you don't fool me. I know you looked around, made sure no one was watching, and got down...just a little. And yes, it will be in there for days. We listened to Kool and the Gang for a while yesterday to get in the mood and let me tell you, that stuff is catchy. You haven't seen cute until you've seen 3 y/o William dancing around the living room singing Get Down On It.
As someone who constantly walks down the street with a smile on my face, singing away, it's nice to know that my jolly demeanor is definitely out of fashion and un-hip. It's empowering. And I can think of no better song to sing walking down the sidewalk than the early eighties time machine that is 'Celebration' by Kool and the Gang.
Love that song!! :) :) Thanks for that pick-me-up
I've never gotten to see this video! I've only heard the song. Groovy!
Love this. (My equivalent is Marvin Gaye's Give it Up, but I also love Kool.)
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