The Soundtrack of My Life

From my journal: May 21, 1988 Redondo Beach, California

“Heard “I Want to Hold Your Hand” on K Earth 101 this morning…I couldn’t help but smile…”

Songs are powerful.  They can transport us to a time and place when we first heard a particular song, or they can bring up memories of an event, filling us with all kinds of emotions.  Growing up our home was always alive with the sound of…well, music. In the 60s and 70s, we listened to Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley and bands like Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. But there was one group most frequently heard at our house, and it was made up of four lads from across the pond, the ones we later saw clips of, twisting and shouting on the Ed Sullivan Show, none other than…the Beatles!

Hearing “Let It Be” recently, I was reminded of those times which lead me to do a little digging.  I found out that the Beatles recorded more than 200 songs on 21 studio albums, as well as on live and compilation LPs. Till this day, they still have the most number one singles at a whopping 20!  Amazing as they were only together for eight years.

In honor of the Fab Four, I’ve had some fun writing a letter using the titles of many of their songs.  If you’re a fan, I challenge you to find them all! Hint: some are one-word titles, some are a bit obscure being recorded on B Sides of 45s, and each title is used only once. Good luck! 

Dear Prudence,

          How are you doing? I hope you are well since flying on that long, long, long plane ride home at the end of the Magical Mystery Tour. Me? I feel fine and things are getting better now that I’ve had a restful sleep. The rain sure made it a hard day’s night.

          So, do you want to know a secret? It’s about that girl.  Remember the one who goes on about every little thing? Well, I want to tell you about something that happened yesterday.

          See, I was fixing a hole in my old brown shoe, remember the pair the two of us bought on Blue Jay Way?  Well, as I was mending it, she came in through the bathroom window shouting, “Help!” I should’ve known better than to ask what was wrong because it was that paperback writer, Michelle, you know the one with the huge imagination? Never in my life had I witnessed such a thing!

          I tried to act naturally and said, “Tell me why you’re here.” First, there was no reply.  Then, oh! darling she began to recap the events from the night before.  I said, “Wait! Slow down!” Apparently, she was upset with her bloke, you know Mean Mr. Mustard? He’s the taxman in our town. She said he’s causing her such misery. Then added, “I’ve got a feeling he’s seeing someone else!”

          When I asked why, she replied, “I saw her standing there…with him!” “What did she say to him?” I asked.  She said, “She said, see you Saturday night!” “Who was it?” I questioned. Her answer was, “It could’ve been Eleanor Rigby, or sexy Sadie or maybe even Julia! It was so dark I really couldn’t tell.” I suggested she just talk to her beau. She refused saying, “I’ll cry instead.” And then she proceeded to do so, on and on, adding, “Don’t bother me.”

          Well, that was odd as I was trying to comfort her! I told her I had to get back to work and that I’d have a word with him. She said, “You can’t do that!” And when I reminded her that she came to see me, she replied, “You will?” I said, “I will,” as we walked out my front door, down Penny Lane while a blackbird sang. As we parted ways, she said, “Please, don’t let me down.”

          So, I popped around to see the bad boy and I explained the situation warning him, “You’re going to lose that girl! You know, she loves you!”  He looked a bit stunned, then he laughed! Can you imagine?  He said, “I don’t want to spoil the party, but….” And then he told me everything. “So, that’s what you’re doing!” How are you going to manage it all?” He said, “With a little help from my friends.” I replied, “OK. Mum’s the word.”

          Honey pie, I won’t keep you in suspense any longer, as it won’t be long before she finds out.  Her boyfriend has been working eight days a week to surprise her with a birthday party!  It’ll all come together next weekend.  He has invited dizzy Miss Lizzy, Lucy in the sky with diamonds, Polythene Pam, long tall Sally, lovely Rita, Maggie Mae and hey, Jude, might come, too. Lady Madonna can’t make it, but her boys will be there.  Oh and, Martha, my dear, may make an appearance!  It’ll be catered and he even hired Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club band to play their favorite song “If I Fell”. How romantic!

          We’re now on the invite list, so I hope you’re free. I can drive my car to your flat or there’s a place we can meet called the Sun King Pub. I must be off now, as I’m so tired after my last shift.  Such is a day in the life of a physician. I’ll ring you up before next week. See you in a bit!

                                                                                All My Loving,

                                                                                Doctor Robert

P.S. I love you!

Did you find all 82 of them? Hope so! But if you want some (more) fun…you can always sing “Ob-la-di-bla-da!