I always thought you'd be by my side

Me Now: How come u didn't go to the Purple Rain tour when you could have?

Me Then: I liked him, but I had to spend my money wisely--on L'Oreal eye shadow and Duran Duran import 12-inches.

Me Now: Gah---gackkk--ah. DUMMY!You liked Purple Rain...you liked it a LOT.

Me Then: Yeah, but I didn't buy it. Taped it off the radio...

Me Now: One lousy dime!!

Me Then: But none of my friends were going. I think. No, they weren't.

Me Now: You couldn't find a way to go?? I mean, you had to figure it out sometime. How else would you finally see U2 for the 45 (50?) dollars no one else was gonna pay to go with you?

Me Then: Yeah, but the concert was on a Saturday, and we had a speech tournament that day. We had to have. Or I had to work (and then go directly to Record Bar and buy another 12-inch).

Me Now: Just...just watch this:



Me Then: Goddamn.

Me Now: GODDAMN.

Just tell the D.J. to play your favorite tune

I don't remember everything about the two "Welcome 2 Chicago" Prince shows that I witnessed in 2012 at the United Center.

But I do remember a moment of anticipation, standing in line at one of the fancypants bars on the upper concourse, listening to the preshow playlist, and letting this groove get me to move:



I like to think, now, with everything that's changed so drastically in just one noon hour, that he put that preshow list together, selected the songs to feel the spice of life, together, before he brought us together even more.

Wake me up.

Four years ago today:



Just exactly as I remembered
Every word
Every gesture
I'm a heart in cold ground


RadioHead - the kiNg of limbs - Separator

But these cuts I have / they need love to help them heal

It's funny: I had a dream last night that I was watching a George Michael concert, and every detail was clear, down to the production style (black and white, stark), costumes (freaky jacket covered in thin silver spines), choreography (contortionism, including a song sung from plank pose), and guests (Jody Watley). George performed "Bennie and the Jets."

Hours later, I've hauled out Dad's Elton Greatest Hits and spun it since I'm unexpectedly working on my sofa today, and "Bennie and the Jets" plays, followed by (and I knew this already, but still) "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," which GM actually has covered live and beyond.

There are no coincidences? Of course my next navigation was here.

No, I am not that prescient.

But I did need to hear this song today. Oh, the cold chills when EJ sings

I can't find, oh the right romantic line
But see me once and see the way I feel
Don't discard me just because you think I mean you harm
But these cuts I have they need love to help them heal

Less than one minute old

Going back to Saturn

Contusion

For the world will soon be waking

Basking in Macca afterglow today, this track from his modest 1980 McCartney II struck me whilst pecking away at very the usual negligible affair of bossing people around through emails.

Was it the inspiration for another honeyed meditation on a summer day? I  mean, it's the first thing I thought of upon seeing the song title.



And, of course, it's timely. I look out the window and see white pleasure boats dotting the blue lake, a soft breeze, rain-fed leaves.

Since I'm still in that afterglow, I'll pose a hopeless wish for a obscurities- and deep cuts-only live show from Sir Paul, such as this or this, or even this (it isn't silly at all).

Once there was a way

You're asking me, will my love grow?

If you were here today

LET ME ROLL IT

The long and winding road

Til the man of her dreams comes to break the spell

Want it in writing

Takin' a ride

I'm in trouble

Favorite Thing

Hanging Downtown

I don't know - Buck Hill

Color me impressed

Tommy gets his tonsils out

Achin to be

Androgynous

Dare

Love you til Friday - Maybelline (Chuck Berry)

Merry go round

Wake up

Borstal breakout (Sham 69)

A little mascara

Left of the dial

Alex chilton

Swinging party
Kiss me on the bus
Waitress in the sky

I can't hardly wait

Bastards of young

Hold my life

IOU

We are the sons of no one.

I'll be home when I'm sleeping.

Even if it makes others uncomfortable

I don't know how I missed this, but I did.



I'm not missing her again.

As each year goes by since I first saw her, I become more certain she is a Real-Deal Queen.

Around, around, around, around, around

Sister Birthday Edition.

In my Blakean year