My father, being raised in the 60’s and 70’s and growing up
a music aficionado especially of the soulful sounds of these decades meant a
lot of long car rides listening to the music of the past when I was a
child. Since I can remember he
always had a vast collection of this music both on vinyl and on CDs. His music
practices of listening to this music ALL the time lead to me knowing a wide
variety of these songs before I was even in elementary school, and liking them.
I remember being in the car and asking my dad to put on the songs that were so
ingrained in my head. One of my
particular favorite groups he had us listen to were the O’Jays, singers of
Philly Soul era in the 70’s. One
year my dad found out they’d be performing at the State Fair and he of course
took the family. I knew more than a few songs in their set and I could tell
people were looking at my 7 or 8 year old self, singing all the words (some
incorrectly, but I didn’t care.) I knew these people were probably wondering
how this little girl knew the words to the songs that predated her by 20-30
years but little did they know this was how I was raised. I think I enjoyed the
concert more than my Dad did and although I don’t really listen to this music
much since I’ve left home, when I hear it you bet I know it.