Eating 1000 Meals

The name "Penny Lane Pub" takes me back thirty-nine years to that immortal "Summer of Love". Yes, I was there, in London throughout that halcyon summer, and it seems like yesterday.

Where have the years since, gone? What became of the young man I was then, filled with a heightened sensitivity to the infinite promises of life? How did he become the roomful of old echoes he is now?

I'm starting now to weep that instead of following my bliss, I became a well-respected man about town, doing the best things so conservative-ly.

Now the the lyrics of "Penny Lane" are flooding in to my addled old mind, and my tears are becoming copious.......

In Penny Lane there is a barber showing photographs
Of every head he's had the pleasure to know.
And all the people that come and go
Stop and say hello.

On the corner is a banker with a motorcar,
The little children laugh at him behind his back.
And the banker never wears a mack
In the pouring rain, very strange.

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes.
There beneath the blue suburban skies
I sit, and meanwhile back

In penny Lane there is a fireman with an hourglass
And in his pocket is a portrait of the Queen.
He likes to keep his fire engine clean,
It's a clean machine.

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes.
A four of fish and finger pies
In summer, meanwhile back

Behind the shelter in the middle of a roundabout
The pretty nurse is selling poppies from a tray
And tho' she feels as if she's in a play
She is anyway.

In Penny Lane the barber shaves another customer,
We see the banker sitting waiting for a trim.
And then the fireman rushes in
From the pouring rain, very strange.

Penny lane is in my ears and in my eyes.
There beneath the blue suburban skies
I sit, and meanwhile back.
Penny lane is in my ears and in my eyes.
There beneath the blue suburban skies,
Penny Lane.
 

Although I never knew about the Summer of Love until much later, I give you two song lyrics as a reply:

Where Have the Good Times Gone?

All my life Ive never stopped to worry `bout a thing,
Open up and shout it out,an' never try to sing,
Wondering if Ive done it wrong,
Will this depression last for long,

Wont you tell me,
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.

Once we had an easy ride and always felt the same,
Time was on our side and we had everything to gain,
This could be like yesterday,
Is thst me with your happydays,

Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.

Ma and pa look back on all the things they used to do,
Never had no money and they always told the truth,
Daddy didnt need no little toys,
Mommy didnt need no little boys,

Wont you tell me,
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.

Ow!
Yesterday was such an easy game for you to play,
Ah but then lets face it,things are easier today,
Yes you need some bringing down,
Get your feet back on the ground,

Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.

And the ultimate 1967 London song -

Waterloo Sunset

Dirty old river, must you keep rolling
Flowing into the night
People so busy, makes me feel dizzy
Taxi light shines so bright
But i don't need no friends
As long as i gaze on waterloo sunset
I am in paradise

Every day i look at the world from my window
But chilly, chilly is the evening time
Waterloo sunset's fine

Terry meets julie, waterloo station
Every friday night
But i am so lazy, don't want to wander
I stay at home at night
But i don't feel afraid
As long as i gaze on waterloo sunset
I am in paradise

Every day i look at the world from my window
But chilly, chilly is the evening time
Waterloo sunset's fine

Millions of people swarming like flies 'round waterloo underground
But terry and julie cross over the river
Where they feel safe and sound
And the don't need no friends
As long as they gaze on waterloo sunset
They are in paradise

Waterloo sunset's fine

Someone on a songfacts website said the following:

The absolute brilliance and greatness of this song results from the interplay of a number of factors. The obvious ones are the gorgeous melody and beautiful vocals on the Kinks' production - those alone make it a classic. But it is Davies' skill as a lyricist that makes it a masterpiece. There is the remarkable economy of the lyrics - Davies created vivid characters and a simple but emotional story from the sparest lines. Yet in spite of this simplicity, the song is laced with a level of depth that can easily escape a superficial listener. For instance, how does the narrator know "Terry and Julie" if he never ventures outside? The obvious implication is that he has given two strangers these names, and is imagining details of their story from his window - a fact that makes his loneliness and introversion all the more heartbreaking. But to this Davies adds yet another twist, leaving no doubt that the narrator is perfectly content with his plight. Like good literature or art, the song reveals new levels over time and through repeated listenings.
- Paul, Sacramento, CA
 

Yes, Waterloo Sunset is a song that sends my mind cascading back to That Summer. Its lyrics are indeed not only brilliant, but particularly wistful and poignant (same thing really). I’ve come to believe that as long as I remember That Summer and its music, I will never grow old and will never die. I’ve listed below the songs which for me are particularly evocative of That Summer.

My yearning for eternal life is maybe why I’ve bought a ticket to see the Stones on November 3rd. I mean, who could be more eternally youthful than Mick Jagger? As long as Mick lives, so will I.

OK, here are those songs of 1967, in addition to Penny Lane and Waterloo Sunset, that will live as long as I do, which, as I’ve said, I believe will be forever.

I’m Gonna Get Me a Gun – Cat Stevens

Puppet on a String – Sandie Shaw (this won the 1967 Eurovision song contest, the telecast of which I watched, and will always remember)

All You Need Is Love - The Beatles

Carrie-Anne - The Hollies

Don't Sleep In The Subway - Petula Clark

The Happening - The Supremes

Here Comes My Baby - The Tremeloes

I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman - Whistling Jack Smith

It Must Be Him - Vikki Carr

The Last Waltz - Engelbert Humperdinck

On A Carousel - The Hollies

Reflections - Diana Ross & The Supremes

Release Me (and Let Me Love Again) - Engelbert Humperdinck

The Return of the Red Baron - The Royal Guardsmen

San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) - Scott McKenzie

Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley

There Goes My Everything - Engelbert Humperdinck

This Is My Song - Petula Clark

To Sir With Love - Lulu

A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum