October 22nd of 1988 Phil Collins’ remake of The Mindbenders 1966 classic Groovy Kind of Love became the #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. What were the deeper undertones of this song? What did it do to us culturally and as a society? Was there more to the story of this song? Honestly? It was just a catchy tune that was considering underwhelming by the critics. Music & Media magazine described Collins’ version as “a slushy version of the original.”
Though it was his only #1 in both the US and the UK and his longest running single on the hot 100, the song’s sales only hit silver in the UK and barely made it to gold in the US. The demo version of the song was released for the forgettable rom-com heist caper movie, Buster, starring Phil Collins. Later it would have a fuller refined version that we heard on the radio.
There was absolutely nothing remarkable about this song, it’s history, or it’s lasting impact on music. It is merely a catchy tune that enough of us enjoyed for a few months in 1988 to get it to the top spot. And considering what was going on at the time, that was good enough and all it had to be.
The Backdrop of 1988
There were increased hostilities between Israel and Gaza that led to horrible civilian casualties and Israeli military operations in Southern Lebanon. Abortion rights were under attack. As the song hit #1 we were weeks away from an election. The Republican nominee swiftly closed the lead the Democratic candidate held since the second debate by portraying Dukakis as being weak on crime and promising comprehensive immigration reform that would secure our borders. Cost of living was on the rise and people were worried about inflation. I am sure some of this is sounding familiar today.
In October of 1988 I was 18 and about to vote for the first time. I was taking this rite of passage seriously. I read the newspaper daily, I studied the issues, and it scared the hell out of me. Back then I did not have a social media to yell at people who disagreed with me or trite questionably accurate memes to send out so I had to process internally.
The more I learned about the issues affecting America I was scared of the adult world I was entering. Speaking of the world. A few month prior to this song hitting number 1, a war between Iran and Iraq was ended with the UN negotiating a peace treaty, but there was also São Tomé and Príncipe coup attempt, the Singer–Swapp standoff, the Somali Rebellion, the Surinamese Interior War, the Thai–Laotian Border War, and the War of Brothers. As far as Israel and Palestine? My church told me that Israel must always be sided with at all costs since the baby Jesus is coming back soon and will be pissed if we don’t stand with Israel. Other people I respected, including a Rabbi, told me that we had to stand with the Palestinian people under oppression. I did not understand absolute positions.
All of this was so much to take in and other than have an opinion and a vote, there was little I could actually do about crime, immigration, inflation and people dying all over the world for ideas, money, governments and religions.
Life and Love
In my own personal life I was in love with a girl who worked at a smoothie stand while I sold men’s clothing in same mall. We had some things we were dealing with too. College, careers, how to afford an apartment one day, and she had an abusive ex boyfriend who stalked her and we both had trauma and mental health concerns we did not understand or have resources for.
But there was time for love and we liked to spend time with our friends. Together we saw movies and concerts, played mini golf, video games, records, uno and made out in many a parking lot grasping for moments and each other.
When this song came on the radio in my car or at a friend’s house while playing RPG’s I would smile and think of a blonde haired girl with blue eyes that no one in my stupid church knew about because they would not like her skirts, punk aesthetic, and strong sense of self. When I would think of her I would find a phone and talk to her about everything and nothing.
The Point is There is no Point
Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Palestine, cost of living, abortion rights, human rights, crime, immigration, mass shootings, and so much more are upon us. At the publishing of this article we are 15 days away from a national election that is essentially a coin flip. And while these national and international affairs go on I have my own problems.
I also have friends, people I love, and a song or two that makes me smile and think about someone.
Right now A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey is top of the charts. It is not a song that will make or change history either, but that is okay. It is a slushie tune with not much substance. Maybe it makes someone smile in the middle of the morass. Isn’t that enough?
I was recently told it was privilege for me not to yell at others on social media for not agreeing with me about social issues. Maybe I care less about others because I am not able to handle my personal problems and the world’s problems and debate every line item. That is the accusation on my character despite over a decade of front line activism and conviction that has not wavered.
That person is wrong. There is only so much any of us can do. While things go on, you can enjoy a good song that is not deep, spend time with people you love doing things you enjoy, and daring to enjoy love.
I do hope in a few weeks you vote if you live in the US. It is also my hope that you contribute a little money, volunteer, or even write letters and attend demonstrations to make what little difference you can. But more than anything, I want every one of my readers to be a little safer, healthier and happier.
Your clicks, tips, letters, gifts, patreon support and comments make what I do possible and I enjoy the relationship we have. I’m grateful for you and I hope you have a groovy kind of love, whatever that looks like.
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