Though it’s still quite summer during the day, the morning commute through the backroads has been one with less light and a slight chill in the air.
The chill is unmistakeably September.
As a kid, September meant that – like it or not – you were entrenched in the school year. Summer wasn’t coming back for months and months and months…
But, we would still try to squeeze as much time outside as possible, playing some hoops or football in someone’s yard until the dark ended the festivities earlier and earlier each night.
Of course, there was something about sleeping with the windows open in September. Following the heat of summer, the cool air induced drowsiness so effortlessly and completely that Pfizer or Merck would drown kittens to be able to replicate it in pill form.
Some Septembers, the night would be accompanied by the hum of machinary harvesting the crop late into the evening in the cornfield across the road. If that wasn’t the case, there was always the whisper from the interstate a mile or so down that same road.
It was a pleasant way to be lulled to dream.
And, September was a month for spectacular visuals, especially in our rural, Midwestern town.
September now brings the annual re-examination of the events that kickstarted this whole Orwellian misadventure known as The War On Terror.
And, since I no longer live in the Midwest, I haven’t gotten the full-blown autumn experience in two decades. There’s still color, but the season is far less defined.
Yeah, September is a mixed bag, man.
Perusing the files, there wasn’t much in the way of September songs that moved me. When in doubt, head for the ’80s, so here are four songs from Billboard magazine’s chart for the first week of September, 1980 – some I remember from the time, others whose acquaintence I’d make later…
Willie Nelson – On The Road Again
from Honeysuckle Rose soundtrack (1980)
I keep threatening – much to Paloma’s dismay – to cast a write-in vote for The Red-Headed Stranger in this November’s presidential election.
(and wouldn’t On The Road Again make a fine campaign song? – run, Willie, run)
Genesis – Turn It On Again
from Duke (1980)
From …And Then There Were Three… – with the wonderful Follow You Follow Me – through 1983’s self-titled album, Genesis deftly balanced their progressive past with the band’s more pop future.
Listening to the driving Turn It On Again for the first time in some time, I realize how cool of a sound Genesis had during those years.
Split Enz – I Got You
from True Colours (1980)
When Paloma and I started buying vinyl a few years ago, there was an initial burst of excitement. Paloma, in a fit of her enthusiasm which I adore, purchased ten albums by Split Enz knowing no more than a handful of songs by the Kiwi act.
It was a decision she regretted – “The members of Split Enz don’t even have as many Split Enz albums as we do.” – but the playfully creepy I Got You is still a classic from the period.
AC/DC – You Shook Me All Night Long
from Back In Black (1980)
Did people at the time realize what a perfect rock song that AC/DC had given the world with You Shook Me All Night Long?
It’s still an arresting three and a half minutes of bravado, lust, and adrenaline.