These all came out in the mid-fifties and I adored all these three songs when I was a little girl. I thought that Eartha Kitt was fabulously witty and beautiful and I loved the lyrics of ‘Old fashioned girl’. I was just old enough to comprehend the tongue-in-cheekedness; the ‘old fashioned house, with an old fashioned fence and an old fashioned millionaire’ cynicism with its humorous twist.
And here it is, with the lyrics too, for full enjoyment.
I think it was even earlier that I listened to Anne Shelton. It was my first inkling of a double meaning, of playing with the English language. I can’t remember the name of the figure of speech, but I’m sure one of you will tell me. ‘Lay down your arms and surrender to mine’ was the height of wit. I thought it was very very clever, and I loved the marching beat. Here you are … Anne Shelton, and the words.
And I fell for Perry Como in a big way. He was my first hearththrob – as a singer, at any rate. I feel absolutely uncool here, but it meant a lot to me (I was only three, remember. I grew out of it). I kept the record for many years and then, when Weeza was a toddler, I played it to her…and, all unknowing, she picked it up and chucked it on the floor and it broke. Years later, she gave me a Perry Como tape to make up for it. I don’t think I ever listened to it all through, actually. It was Catch a Falling Star and (if lesserly) Magic Moments that had won my heart. And here it is. I think it was the voice and the imagery of ‘Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, save it for a rainy day‘ that appealed to the romantic core hidden deep in my heart.
And LOM has tempted me again. And actually, this is exactly right. isn’t it?
You Are Prancer |
You are the perfect reindeer, with perfect hooves and perfect flying form. Why You’re Naughty: Because you’re Santa’s pet, and you won’t let anyone show you up. Why You’re Nice: You have the softest fur and the sweetest carrot breath. |
Carrot breath hee hee hee! I like that.
It’s true, too. I ate three raw carrots this evening while I was preparing dinner.
ooooh santa’s pet get you, and I am a dork!
You should try some of the others
A zeugma.
I am Blitzen!
Always partying and sloshed apparently!
Carrot breath!… it’s sort of cute!
I’m Prancer too 🙂
Thank you Dave. A zeugma indeed – and tending towards a syllepsis, perhaps?
BW and I are extremely cute, Brom.
I did the test before reading the post, so as not to be influences unduly. My result was Dancer who apparently likes carrots also.