Sunday nights used to be family time. Everybody would gather around the TV.
There’s no problem with the picture … it’s a Google Image!
Ed Sullivan
The Wonderful World of Disney
The Smothers Brothers
Glen Campbell
Glen pretty much introduced me to country music. Not the hard core drinking-man/woman-losing-dog-died kind. He gave me some of the most beautiful melodies: “Gentle On My Mind” and “By the Time I Get To Phoenix.” Songs that I still love.
Back then, I didn’t think much about the future. Or about growing old. My parents were old back then in the 1960s and early 70s — I knew they’d been born that way. But the performers on TV would never get old. I knew that then. The Smothers Brothers old? Glen Campbell? Pishawwwww!
Time caught up with all of us. My parents, of course, weren’t really old back then. But they grew into that role, they passed on. One by one the staples of not just my family but our world have faded.
Glen Campbell is fading. As I write this, he is in the final stages of Alzheimer’s Disease; a heartless disease that takes one’s mind long before it takes the body.
The song makes my heart sing, even while it breaks it. Kind of like life.
You may not miss me, Glen, but I’ll miss you. We all will.
* * *
I first heard this song on one of my favorite blogs, The Last of the Millenniums. Thanks, pal.
FiftyFourandAHalf 
This wwas great to read
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I loved this post, Elyse! What a memory of a simpler time, such a treat to think back.
And this is absolutely my favorite line on this topic yet:
“The song makes my heart sing, even while it breaks it. Kind of like life.”
Well said!
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His voice is so pure. Southern Nights for me. Will love it always.
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Glad you liked it. Some of hos somgs do just stick in your heart, don’t they.
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It broke my heart when I first heard/saw this song. I had watched a profile piece on him recently and was aware that he had been afflicted with this heinous disease but that still didn’t prepare me for the emotions felt when I watched the video.
I was right there with you on those Sunday nights. It was a wonderful time for watching TV as a family. Now everyone watches what they want in separate rooms. Sometimes I think that “family” has gone been afflicted with the disease as well. We have forgotten how to be one.
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Yes, i think we’ve all deifted spart with those different shows we all watch. It’s a shame, because it was good family time.
And the video broke my heart, too. I keep listening to it
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I’m sorry. I understand. My grandma passed away from having Alzheimer’s. This is a great write!
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Sorry about your grandma — it is a terrible disease (not that I can think of a GOOD disease). Thanks for stopping by and for following. Welcome!
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Thank you. You’re welcome.
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A couple of years back, I did not have any idea about this disease. But now I am even afraid to hear its name. May be we realize existence of something only after it enters our surrounding. Nice post Elyse.
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My dad had his records, and they were in regular rotation at our house. I loved that song, Galveston.
Wow, thinking back about my dad’s records now. You ever get into Freddie Fender?
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Not really. I wasn’t really into country, especially before country took over folk! But I’m playing Before the Next Teardrop Falls now! Thanks for bringing it up. Lovely song!
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I do remember those shows…
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They were good, weren’t they? Or do we just remember it that way because we were little? Everythingwas better then, wasn’t it?!
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It felt really cozy watching the old shows … even Lawrence Welk
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I think I would need a lot of wine to watch Lawrence Welk. I do fondly recall singing and dancing around our living room to Mitch Miller, though!
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It really was…
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I didn’t know that about Glen Campbell. I always liked his stuff, and he seems like such a nice guy. What a shame.
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Yes, I agree, Peg. Good guy, good music. Such a sad thing to happen.
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What a tragic disease, robbing people of their lives before they are actually over. I remember Glen too, and you have reminded us all of how we can touch the lives of people through our art forms, whether or not we actually ever meet them. Great post!
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Thanks, Renee. This song really touched me. And while I have only known one patient with Alzheimer’s similar to Glen Campbell’s, that’s one too many. Such a horrible thing it is to know someone who no longer knows their family, their friends.
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You didn’t mention his best, best, best song. “Wichita Lineman.” You’ll never hear a sadder, lonelier song. And that beautiful sounding guitar. Perfection.
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Mark, I was trying to get that wonderful video to appear in an easy to play video. It is a terrific song; I chose the more gentle ones because that is how I was feeling.
I may have to do a separate YouTube response to this comment. But I’ll try to get that terrific song on this post.
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I hear you singin’ in the wire
I can hear you through the whine
Holy smokes. That just lays me flat every time I hear it. Penned by the brilliant Jimmy Webb. Look him up. He’s the man.
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I will do that!
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I went through the list of his songs — I think I know 90% of them. And I never knew… Thanks for the education!
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No charge. Stick with me. You’ll learn stuff. Wanna see some of the most unintentionally hysterical contemporary art on the planet? Look at my last post. A scathing diatribe on what’s currently in the Museum of Modern Art. Not for the faint or serious minded.
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I never heard this song before, Elyse. Just watched the video and it near broke my heart. Scenes of brighter days…
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I think the video waa released just recently. And it broke my heart too. You know, i’ve been both a patient and a care giver; the caregiver role is the harder most of the time. But for peole who care for folks with Alzheimer’s? There is a special level in heaven for those souls who don’t see a glimmer of recognition in the eye of the
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Yep that was my Sunday night only I had to go to bed after the Smothers brothers.
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Me too!!!
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You are probably too young to remember The Hit Parade. I loved watching that on TV when I was a little girl. That was back when people wore clothes when they sang. Also remember later watching Glen Campbell on TV. Good memories.
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I’m not too young … Those shows were great.
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I’m going to miss Glen, in fact though he’s still with us I already miss him. He’ll never perform again I think he’s made that clear, but I pretty much grew up listening to him on the little AM radio. We all clustered around the one TV in the house to watch the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (I think that’s what it was called)…I admit I have By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Galveston, Gentle On My Mind and a few others loaded on my iPod!
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Yes, we did the same thing — all of us who were home . It helped us bond (or made us fight.). They are great songs. And this song really is a gift to folks suffering from Alzheimer’s — knowing that they are not alone.
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I do miss listening to Walt’s voice… so soothing, and his visions of the future were awesome… and the Smothers Brothers still crack me up.
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Me too. Although I am not a Disneyland/world fan.
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The show was good.
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The best!
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it was a simpler time
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How you said your parents were born old– its funny, looking back at the people who seemed old… and realizing they were closer to the age you are now. This must all be part of that weird lie we tell ourselves that other people have things more figured out and established.
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They really did always seem old. They were, in fact, older than the parents of all my friends. SSo in the 60s and 70s they were in their 40s and 50s, which coming from this 57 year old IS old!
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He is a favorite “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Thank you for bringing this latest/last release to our attention. Oh my…
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Sure, Georgette. It is such a haunting song.
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Fabulous tribute and wow … what a video! Yes … very sad, but he’s still bringing smiles.
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Isn’t it, Frank. I can’t stop thinking about it — I’m still here and yet I’m gone …
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I watched all these shows too, Elyse. One of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard is “Wichita Lineman.” Thanks for this beautifully written post.
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Ann, sorry, I somehow missed this comment. I love that song, too. But this one is my new favorite.
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I can see why, Elyse. Thanks so much for introducing me to the video and the song.
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Hey! I said the exact same thing below! Great minds, etc.
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I think he put together an album last year or went on tour or something. I remember reading he wanted to do it one last time before his disease wouldn’t let him anymore. I’m sorry to hear he’s deteriorating.
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Yes, that’s my understanding, too. So very sad. I mean I know we are all getting older, but still. To lose oneself is heartbreaking.
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I loved (still love) his collaborations with Jimmy Webb – especially “Galveston” – I still cry when I hear it.
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Ooh, yes, another beautiful song. There were so many…
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Loved those Sunday night shows, loved those old Glenn songs. Thank you!
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Sure, Moms. I did too. I guess that’s what makes this song extra powerful.
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This one breaks me. Beautiful song, perfect.
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I’ve listened to it over and over again today. It is just so beautiful, and so very sad. I knew you’d get it, Val.
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I listened to that just the other day… heartbreaking. Like Johnny Cash’s remake of ‘Hurt,’ which I found incredibly insightful on his part… you could really feel the pain. Brings tears to my eyes every time…
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Welcome to my blog. I don’t know that song. But I think I will like it. I’m not really big on country music these days (I don’t like the crazy right leanings of so much of it). But I do like Johnny Cash (especially September, When it Comes. With Roseann). So I think I need to listen to Hurt. Thank you.
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I have always really liked Glen Campbell. You probably remember the TV show he had way back when.
He’s the Pride of Delight, Arkansas!
BTW…have you ever heard his song (duet w/Steve Wariner) “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle”? It’s a great song about Mamas.
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I do remember that show fondly. In fact, I wish variety shows like that were still around (I DO NOT count Amer. Idol, etc. among shows of that caliber.)
I think the duet with Stevie is in the clips in the video. I will look for it. Thanks!
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I was about to ask if he had passed, but yes, it is a horrible disease and way to go.
Very well done.
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Thanks, Punk, he hasn’t yet passed but the release of this song makes me think it might not be long. Such a horrible disease.
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