I remember my grandparents having a serving tray that said "Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think..." I didn't understand that saying then but I do now. Mr. New Year's Eve, Guy Lombardo, had a song with the same name telling about how people don't enjoy life. They think they will later, working and saving for a retirement that may not ever happen.
As we start a new year, my melancholy personality (melancholy folks are great friends and workers but not always optimists....) recalls another song.
Back when I worked in radio, for a time our station used the wildly successful radio format "The Music Of Your Life." (I wrote a blog about this in the past about the genius Al Ham who invented it). Among the Bing Crosbys, Jo Staffords, and Artie Shaws of the day (superstars), there were several recordings by folks I never heard of. One was Maxine Sullivan. I never gave it much thought until the other day, when I once again heard her rendition of "A Hundred Years From Today."
"A Hundred Years From Today" is a song much like "Enjoy Yourself, It's Later Than You Think." It's simply lovely. I never knew who Maxine Sullivan was or even what she looked like. I don't know where Al Ham got the recording Maxine made of the song or when it was recorded. I do want you to be able to enjoy it, so click here for a lost gem of music history. The Maxine Sullivan story is told quite well here. Interesting that she is hardly known in pop music history today in comparison to Ella, Rosemary Clooney, et al.
But then "A Hundred Years From Today..." no one will remember us either!
Writers: J.Young/Washington/V.Young
Hey don't save your kisses - just pass 'em around
You'll find my reason - is logically sound
Who's gonna know that you past them around
A hundred years from today
And why crave a penthouse - that's fit for a queen
You're nearer heaven - on mamma Earth's green
If you had millions - what would they all mean
One hundred years from today
So laugh and sing - make love the thing
Be happy while you may
('Cause) There's always one - beneath the sun
Who's bound to make you feel that way
The moon is shining - and that's a good sign
Cling to me closer - say you'll be mine
Remember baby we won't see it shine
A hundred years from today
Happy New Year everyone and Enjoy Yourself, it's later than you think.....
PS: From the random acts of kindness dept, I'd like to thank Mr. Wheeler who out of the blue sent me a fun Guy Lombardo New Year's Eve show. Thank you kind sir!
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