‘You Send Me‘ 1957 by Sam Cooke
My Real Memoir
It was the day I discovered music. But I wouldn’t realize it until years later. True, I liked music, thanks in large part to my Uncle Walt (Disney). I danced along with the Mouseketeers and, like every other kid in the Disneyverse, wore my coonskin cap when I sang along to the Davy Crockett theme. But I didn’t make music, and I had no impulse to do so–yet. My first love was stories, particularly in the form of movies.
Movies and Music
We usually popcorned at our local suburban bijou, the Meralta. The first movies I saw there, again from Uncle Walt, had memorable music, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Peter Pan, The Great Locomotive Chase. I’d turn my Radio Flyer wagon into a locomotive or Captain Nemo’s Nautilus. Or I’d race about with my arms outstretched, singing “You Can Fly” from Peter Pan, and desperately hoping that, despite my dearth of pixie dust, I would finally achieve lift-off.
That summer I’d fallen in love with Debbie Reynolds in Tammy and the Bachelor at the Meralta, and left the theatre with its hit theme song on perpetual repeat in my head. Little did I know that music and Debbie would play co-starring roles in my future.
It Was the Last Time…
…I would see a movie at the Meralta, and the first time I would experience live music. Not surprisingly, we’d come to see a musical The Pajama Game (which would also reappear in my life later on). “But before the movie begins,” the theater manager announced, “you’re in for an unusual treat, a live musical performance!” And then he welcomed an unknown singer, a handsome young guy (Mom noted) named Sam Cooke.
Sam plugged his electric guitar into something that looked like a really big radio, an amplifier. I’d never seen or heard of either. It looked nothing like the four-string “Mousegetar” Jimmy Dodd played on the Mickey Mouse Club. Sam started with a tune he’d written, one that would become a landmark in music history.
Sam Sent Me…
…to a place I’d never been before. “You Send Me” was one of the first songs ever to crossover from R&B onto popular music charts, and is still considered one of the 500 greatest songs of the 20th century. Sam sang two more tunes that night, including his soulful take on Gershwin’s “Summertime” (he also pioneered soul music). And then, we were all given free copies of his first 45 release, featuring both songs!
I played that 45 until the grooves wore off. But the real “groove” never wore off. My first exposure to live music had introduced me to one of the greatest singer/songwriters in music history. Sam Cooke planted a seed in me for a new love. Music would live in my heart alongside stories and movies for the rest of my life. And a decade later, the seed and need that Sam had planted that night…
Would become a full-grown sapling.
Enjoying all your wonderful words!
Why, thank you, J. (May I ask your name, btw?)
Jennifer 😉
It’s very impressive that a young guy would fall in love with Debbie Reynolds instead of Annette Funicello!
Oh, I had a crush on Annette, to be sure, Dirt. But Debbie, well, that was true love.
Good God, I didn’t even notice that when I read it! They ALL say Annette Funicello! 😂
Music was always playing at our house; Dad, while working, listened to classical, and Mom enjoyed listening to her favorite albums of Latvian music. I was about 4 when I turned on the TV and discovered Elvis, and then it was all about Elvis and rock and roll for me.
;>)
That’s an interesting observation as being introduced to music through Disney or even the little Rascals the music was weird and dissonant dissonant to me.
But who can argue with Sam Cooke?
How I love this! ❤️
Aw, thanks, Kiki. 🧡
I’ve never heard popcorn used as a verb before – but spot-on clever . Wow what a treat to experience that music in person ! I had a similar situation with the first radio record to grab ahold of me – Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles. Adolescence was still a few years away but I so wanted to be a Raylette when I grew up, I believed it to be my calling, and I’m not even a singer . . hahaha
“Hit the Road, Jack” was a favorite of mine back then too, Katie. I’d never heard anyone sing like Ray before. Still haven’t, come to think of it.
A terrific part of your highly entertaining episodic memoir, Mitch! Wow! Sam Cooke!
Mention of Sam Cooke causes me to think of a song on which he sang lead when he was with The Soul Stirrers, and which was covered by the Gaither Vocal Band not too long ago:
Great song, Ed.
I’ve always loved Sam Cooke’s music!
We are that music generation…actually, our generation did a musical renaissance, we have that special back beat. Thanks for sharing this. I miss that old world that is still young in me, forever. :0)
Yes, it was a remarkable time to come of age musically, Pamela.
It would be fantastic if Sam Cooke’s soul/pop style caught fire again. You chose an awesome icon to influence your love of music. 🙂
Yes, I “chose” well, Nancy. ;>)
You were one lucky kid, Mitch, …. Sam Cooke, as yet unknown! 😍
I was indeed, Renee!
We all have ‘Where It All Began’ stories. Yours was wonderful. Thanks for the writing lesson! 🤗
First real smile I’ve had all day, Mitch! I do love me some Sam Cooke! Thank you!!!
I had a think……. what….. was the first popular song I remember…. still thinking…… yes when I was knee high to a grasshopper, my Dad ( every day while he shaved) would sing, “What do you know? She smiled at me in my dreams last night!” Just googled these words…..Iwcwas “My Dreams Are Getting Better All thr Time” , 1945 Jazx Classic, recorded by Doris Day and Les Brown” My Dad only ever ssng the first few words so no idea if the dreams were ever answered. Thsnk you. … the memory, I can picture him clearly ( and fondly) as I write these words.
Hooray for seeds, and saplings, and full grown passions.
Music has always been huge in my life as well, Mitch. I could live without TV (and did in my single years), but I can’t imagine life without music. I didn’t listen to the video you posted. I didn’t have to. Just reading the title by Sam Cooke has planted an ear worm of the song, TYVM, lol.