Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Upstate Gold - An Upstate New York spin on a Californian one-hit wonder

- A tip of the hat, a nod and a wink to Upstate New York. Some (hopefully) amusing few minutes for your day. Enjoy. -

The idea popped into my head and refused to leave. Build a version of John Stewart's 1979 hit "Gold" around a patently better geographical area: Upstate New York. I'm not saying it was a GOOD idea, but it was FUN idea. "Upstate Gold". Listen to the original (convenient YouTube link below, you are very welcome) while reading my lyrics. You'll get the idea. I hope you have some fun with it, too. Three helpful points and one confession before we begin. One. In case you were unaware, a parlor is the dedicated area on a dairy farm where milking happens. Two. WIRY (pronounced wiry) is radio station in Plattsburgh, NY which has been on the air since January 30th, 1950. Three. Stewart's is a very popular regional chain of gas station/convenience stores. Confession. My wife is an Adirondack girl, so I may be a tad biased.
 

Upstate Gold
by Sam Girdich

When the lights go down in an Upstate New York town
People aren’t in for the evening
They jump into their car and use Stewart’s as their bar
Hot Michigans there for the eatin’
Drivin' down the Northway, eleven months of snow
The people up there know their history is gold 
 
Ah, my buddy Tom Pows he’s a-workin’ milkin’ cows
As his herd heads in to a parlor
He’s got rhythm in his hands as he's wiping down the cans
Sings to WIRY in the shower
Drivin' down the Northway, eleven months of snow
The people up there know their history is gold 
 
Ah, Adirondack girls are the greatest in the world
Each night a dream in the waiting
Singin' life to me I get high on melody
Each heart a home in the makin’
Drivin' down the Northway, eleven months of snow
The people up there know their history is gold
 
Drivin' down the Northway, eleven months of snow
The people up there know their history is gold 
 
When the lights go down in an Upstate NY town
People aren’t in for the evening
They jump into their car and use Stewart’s as their bar
Hot Michigans there for the eatin’
Drivin' down the Northway, eleven months of snow
The people up there know their history is gold 
 
Drivin' down the Northway, eleven months of snow
people up there know their history is gold
people up there know their history is gold
people up there know their history is gold
(Ooh, yeah)
people up there know their history is gold, is gold
people up there know their history is gold, is gold
people up there know their history is gold, is gold
(Gotta sing)
people up there know their history is gold, is gold
(Tappin' dem maple trees)
people up there know their history is gold, is gold
(shovelin’ out the front door)
people up there know their history is gold, is gold
 
 
John Stewart's "Gold" as found on YouTube. Lots of uploads to pick from there.
 

 

Be well!
Sam
 
 

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