Saturday 9: Volare

 

Good morning, you fine folks! I meant to do this last (Friday) night, but I'm still sick as a dog (pneumonia, bronchiectasis) and just didn't have the energy to do it. So here I am, opening S9 this morning, and now somehow I've found myself - from it - deeply down a rabbit hole of protest songs, both famous and not, by artists both famous and not (and this is coming from me; what do I know?!). So that's where half my head is, as I proceed with this interview. I'm guessing many of you are not doing the same; I'm hoping the rest of you are well!

This week, Crazy Sam's got us jamming to Bobby Rydell's version of "Volare," which is a fun one to sing along to! If you're joining us this week, make sure to join up here! Let's have at it, then.

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Saturday 9: Volare (1960)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) The word "volare" is Italian for "to fly." Say something else in Italian.

2) This week, Bobby Rydell invites us to take off with him up in the clouds and promises we'll find a rainbow. Countless lyricists have included rainbows in their songs. Can you name another song that mentions rainbows?

"The Rainbow Connection" was the first one that popped up in my head. We sang that in choir, years ago.

 

3) His happy heart is singing. What is making you happy this morning?

 I've gained some clarity that I didn't have before.

4) Bobby Rydell, like Frankie Avalon and Fabian, was a 1950s teen idol who hailed from Philadelphia. Home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Philly is Pennsylvania's most populous city. Have you ever been there?

Oh, yes. I first went there as a young kid - maybe eight? - with my grandparents, having grown up between New York and New Jersey. I last went there three years ago to celebrate my oldest, Chloë's, 21st birthday. I can't believe that was so long ago already. We stayed at the Ritz and, y'all, I must make you fully aware: we were way underwhelmed as a whole.

 5) Bobby was such a perfect example of a clean-cut American boy that when Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey sat down to write the play Grease, they named their fictional high school Rydell High after him. Do you have a favorite song from Grease?

Hands-down, it's "Hopelessly Devoted to You." Grease is a longstanding favorite of mine, and I love every number from it, but this one rises above for me.

6) In addition to singing, Bobby also acted. His most famous film role was opposite Ann-Margret in Bye, Bye, Birdie (1963). Have you seen it?

I have not, but now I'm more interested than I have been in a long time. Have you seen the version with Jason Alexander and Vanessa Williams?

7) In 1960, when this record was popular, so were hand-loomed, 100% virgin wool sweaters from Italy. You could order one from the Sears catalog for $12.60 (approx. $135 in today's dollars). That sweater was labeled "dry clean only." Do you have any garments waiting to be picked up from the cleaners?

 

We don't, no. I don't know when the last time any of us wore any dry-clean-only clothes was. Plenty of handwash, but we bought these fancy new machines last year with lots fun fun settings, almost entirely eliminating to do that, either - if we're very careful. (Say hi to our geriatric lady, Muffin!)

8) Also in 1960, Princess Margaret married photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones. They met when he was commissioned to take her official portrait. Who took the most recent photo of you?

Me, but I didn't like that one (because I'm sick), so here's another one from early November and somewhat healthier days. Also by me.

9) Random question: Is your oldest friend also your best friend?

Ooh, that could be very juicy. But it's not, for me. No, she's a dear friend, but she is not my best friend.

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Hopefully I'll take my meds here in a second, start visiting fellow S9ers, and spend my day in blissful nebulization. Sounds like joy to me! Take care, y'all.

xoxo

P.S. It is raining enough to soak the crops through the end of Summer! Better get plantin'!