A Moment in My Life – Friday, June 4, 2021
Jeannie Yee Davis
The other day, I posted the song “If You Leave Me Now” by Chicago on a FB group that I belong to. Unbeknownst to me, someone commented, “You’ll take away the biggest part of me…..my saving’s account!” I had no idea what to say to that.
I meekly replied, “LOL, um, sorry?”
The next thing I knew, someone else chimed in with “Don’t feel bad, but it’s “Hard To Say I’m Sorry” LOL,” rendering me speechless. It’s rare to catch me not knowing what to say, but here I was, dumbfounded. I wondered why he put Hard to Say I’m Sorry in parentheses. I wasn’t familiar with this person, so I figured that was his little quirk.
I accidentally ran into Chicago’s song “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” on YouTube, and a lightbulb turned on in my head. I realized that in his comment, he used a song title, giving me the bright idea to Google a list of Chicago’s songs. There were at least fifty. I scoped out the list of songs and discovered a wealth of great titles that I could use to string together a story, and I decided to play along.
I replied, “it’s okay if it’s “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.” Just “Make Me Smile,” and everything will be fine and dandy.”
My reply pleased my challenger as he exclaimed, “you’re making me smile, wow…..” Baby, What A Big Surprise!”
And that was the start of a sensational new skillset that I didn’t know I had. I morphed from being speechless to rocking it with this lyrical punning exchange. I’m sure there’s a name for this exercise, but I have no idea what it is, so I’m calling it “Fun with Pun.” Since Chicago has over fifty song titles, I was thrilled beyond belief that he and I could use many exchanges before we exhausted the titles.
I continued with, “Super cool! Glad to make you smile, and it’s no big surprise when “You’re the Inspiration.”
Him: Yes, we’re having fun with Chicago’s music from the “Old Days.”
Me: But, don’t stop. “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” I’m just getting started here. Chicago always does “Color My World” and makes every day “Saturday in the Park.”
Him: Yes, no need to stop b/c it’s “Just You “N’ Me’ doing Chicago! So, just “Call On Me” regarding our passion for music! I love all your input and responses since the “Beginnings!”
Me: I’m so glad you said that because the feeling is mutual. You are a “Hard Habit to Break” cuz I idolize your musical eloquence and feel I’d be lost “If I Should Ever Lose You.”
Him: Yes, it was really fun exchanging song titles with you. Oh, by the way, today was a bit ‘windy,’ just like “Chicago”!
Me: Yes, these exchanges were a fun way to feel “Alive Again.” That’s perfect; the winds came along to set the mood! After all, “Chicago” is the ‘windy city,’ and some days it’s “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day.”
Him: Cool! “Questions 67 And 68”, here’s question 69, what’s your lucky numbers? “25 Or 6 To 4”? Yes, I do feel “Alive Again” with our exchanges!
Winding down.
Me: “If She Would Have Been Faithful…” he wouldn’t have emptied his savings account, and I wouldn’t have been sorry. Then, you wouldn’t have come to console me, and we wouldn’t have taken this scenic route through “Chicago.” Perhaps it’s “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” but there’s a lot to be said for talking things out. Now, we’ll always have “Chicago.” It was fun!
And that’s where it ended. Thanks to him, I recognized a new skill set that I feel I’m pretty good at. It came so effortlessly to me to string these words together. I had a blast. I had no idea I was capable of playing with words like this. I honestly didn’t want this game to end. Anyway, all good things must come to an end, even the game of “Fun with Pun.”
Thanks, Nancy, for letting me know you are enjoying my columns!
Well, that’s what the disclaimer was for to ensure that we both understood it was simply a fun SONG TITLES exchange and nothing more. Song titles do tend to get heated, which is what makes the punning exchange creative and fun. Otherwise, why bother? Who wants to read boring?
Also, I see many responses to chill out that comment. Creative writing means you can write it in many ways.