Summer Song #17... It Might As Well Rain Until September

I had been grousing about a week in mid-July with temperatures in the high 60s- low 70s & lots of rain in Portland. On the good side, the garden welcomes this weather. The grounds of our spot are lush right now. I have not watered in more than a week. The rest of the country seems to be in deep sizzle. I imagine that there are readers of Post Apocalyptic Bohemia willing to swap places.

Another stunner for readers: we have most of our windows open & there are no bugs. Although our humble home & garden are the original world wide web, with arachnids aplenty, but we have rarely see a fly or mosquito. Nice, huh?

I have a smart series of Summer Songs planned, yet I can not be truly inspired to add a song such as Cole Porter's Too Darn Hot when the temperatures are hovering around 68 degrees.

What shall I write?

What can I say?

How can I tell you how much I miss you?

The weather here has been as nice as it can be

Although it doesn't really matter much to me

For all the fun I'll have while you're so far away

It might as well rain until September

I don't need sunny skies for thing I have to do

'Cause I stay home the whole day long
 & think of you

As far as I'm concerned each day's a rainy day

So It might as well rain until September

My friends look forward to their picnics on the beach

Yes everybody loves the summertime

But you know darling
 while your arms are out of reach

The summer isn't any friend of mine

It doesn't matter whether skies are grey or blue

It's raining in my heart 'cause I can't be with you

I'm only living for the day you're home to stay

It might as well rain until September

It might as well rain until September

King & Goffin

1962

Summer Song #8... Up On The Roof

When this old world starts getting me down
& people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
& all my cares just drift right in to space

On the roof it's peaceful as can be
& there the world below can't bother me

Let me tell you now
When I come home feelin' tired & beat
I go up where the air is fresh & sweet
I get away from the hustling crowds
& all that rat race noise down in the street

On the roof's the only place I know
Where you just have to wish to make it so
Oh, let's go
Up on the roof

At night the stars put on a show for free &
darling, you can share it all with me

I keep on telling you
Right smack down in the middle of town
I found a paradise that's trouble proof
So if this world starts getting you down
there's room enough for 2
 Up on the roof

Up on the roof
Everyhting's all right
Up on the roof
Oh, come on baby
Up on the roof

Gerry Goffin & Carole King
1962



So Far Away... 40 Years Ago Today

I was 17 years old & a junior in high school. I had just completed a run as the Old Indian in The Fantasticks (the 1st of the 5 productions of this show that I would do in my lifetime), I had just been accepted as the youngest ever company member at Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre (an event that would change my life in a major way). I had decided to come clean to my girlfriend that I was gay, & I had just had my 1st expereince with LSD. A heady time indeed, as if it wasn’t enough just to be a teenager in 1971!

One of the things that got me through the river of emotions & hormones running through my young Stephen’s brain was listening to Tapestry. Every single song on this landmark album spoke to me. Tapestry by singer/songwriter Carole King was # 1 for 15 consecutive weeks, which is the longest time for an album by a female artist to occupy that position, & it remained on the charts for 6 years. Tapestry has sold over 30 million copies. In 1972 the album won 4 Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Record of the Year for It's Too Late, & Song of the Year for You've Got A Friend. I still listen to Tapestry & it still moves my heart & my feet. Tapestry was released 40 years this month.

Carole King has been a big part of my life all that time. Today she turns 69.