Friday, October 09, 2009

Connections

Yesterday I shared a Richard Le Gallienne poem on my blog. And today I wanted to share how I first heard the poem. The story is a bit more convoluted than one would imagine.

When I was in elementary school, I had a record player. Me and my friends would put on records and bounce on the beds to the music. One of the 45s was Island Girl by Elton John. Then in high school, I was at a garage sale and saw a an LP by Elton John. I was not a huge Elton John fan, but since the LP was 25 cents, I figured I would spring for the vinyl.

The album was called Friends, and it was not until I got it home that I found out it was the soundtrack to a movie called Friends. Yes, before there was the television show, there was a movie. The shortest track on the album was an instrumental piece with two young voices, reciting the poem. And a few of the words were slurred, but I remember listening to the song/poem. I can even remember, on getting my first turntable, listening to the song in my dark bedroom, the only light being the red and white light on the turntable. A beautiful poem.

Years later, I saw the movie in a Blockbuster and rented it. My husband was out of town for the week on business, and I needed something to pass the time. I am so glad he did not watch this film. I found the movie in IMDB, but I don't remember much of the plot. All I remember is two naked teenagers in a cottage, and eventually the girl/woman has a child. Certainly they were of age to make the movie, but I think they were supposed to be 14-1/2 and 15 years old in the movie. It was weird, bizarre, and it left me feeling a bit violated. Oh, I think it was supposed to be a French film, but it was released in the UK.

Still, it is a beautiful poem.

5 comments:

Xmichra said...

It's strange to see something you like twisted to something you don't. At least you still see the poem for it's words.

love the chick below, she is like an oxymoron for the song she sings. She is cute and looks doe-eyed, while the song is bitter and realistic. pretty neat.

Anonymous said...

Wow, you've been throwing up blog posts lately. Nice ...

Adrianne said...

I so hate it when I am out of the loop! Just catching up on the blogs. Love this post. How very interesting!

btsea said...

Island Girl--my brother had the Rock of the Westies album, one of Elton's last good recordings IMHO. Island Girl is a good song!

I haven't heard of the Friends LP.

I was listening to this on youtube today...love the harmonies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyDVFXQ3vJE

kathi said...

I'd forgot about that movie.