LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
The old song came on the radio and I turned it up – loud… Too loud for my wife, but she indulges me occasionally. I still love that old tune, but I couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t sending me back in time, almost in my senses, like it used too? There was a time when I heard that song and it would transport me back to those cold and dark winter nights as a teenager.
It was a time of magic. The world seemed conquerable, like my private world to be tamed. The freedom that comes with age brings excitement and confusion. Each new day as an independent teenager was marked by choices, too many choices… Kids trying to make their mark, trying to be significant, different, brave, and, of course, cool.
The songs from that period of our lives can take us on a journey back in time – riding our memories like time machines. As I listened to the old Cars song, “Let The Good Times Roll,” I recall good times. I remember the freezing temperatures and a heater in my first car that had a mind of its own. No matter… The good times were rolling anyway…
Physical comfort and having everything figured out couldn’t stop the good times as a kid. Facing tough times and enduring what adults avoided at all costs added to the determination and gratification of independence.
The old Pioneer eight track stereo with the Craig PowerPlay speakers we thought were the baddest, (meaning good of course!) system you could have. That sound system was more important than replacing the heater core and less expensive… I couldn’t imagine anything better than my own personal world and atmosphere with music playing full blast while the chrome rims and the good times rolled on.
The good times kept rolling and the magic slowly faded and seemed to be replaced by a touch of apathy. The good times became a way of life, a thing to be expected, but usually under appreciated.
The Sirius XM satellite station blasted through a new state of the art, engineered system that sounds light years better than the best in home systems sounded back in the good ole’ days. The near freezing temperature outside couldn’t be remotely felt as I sat in the heated leather seat glancing at my wife to see if she was enjoying the old song from our high school days.
She didn’t appreciate it like I did… Strangely, I wasn’t appreciating it like I should have either… I pondered in silence as the music faded into the background of my mind. “Why isn’t the music taking me back like it used too? Have I gotten too old?” I wondered in the silence of my mind surrounded by the music that rivaled a live rock concert.
It dawned on me as I turned the music down for my wife – and to her delight, that the music is just the vehicle to ride back on time on. The treasures are the perseverance and determination that accompanied the mind of a young person. We often get complacent because we’ve gotten used to getting what we want.
We’ve gotten soft just like the younger version of ourselves thought of the adults back in the day.
I think the next time I find myself in that scenario, I’ll turn up the music, roll the windows down to let in the freezing winter air until my teeth chatter again…
And let the good times roll…
Lincoln Parks
Thursday, February 21, 2013 @ 10:24 pm
You are speaking the truth here Floyd. We are so complacent because we think everything should be instantly gratifying. The music sounds good and I can think back to the old days, but it does not affect me like it used to either. State of mind or age?
Floyd
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 7:03 am
That is the question isn’t it? I think it’s the state of mind and age both. It was that attitude that made us who we were though. I know you know what I mean. We have wisdom to know that those were days of youth, but it’s puzzling that we don’t remember the way we once did. The striving is the part we miss I think, Lincoln. I appreciate the thoughts that make me think again!
Maureen Jepchumba
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 1:58 am
Haha, thought provoking post. “Getting used to getting what we want” I was thinking on something along these lines recently. What happens when we don’t get what we seek when we seek for it? Do we grumble, do we throw a fit?
Complacency lurks in our corner more times than we care to admit. Graciously God is constantly reminding us of where we came from and how much we have grown. But also that we always have to be dependent on Him to get what we seek for. His best is always the choice we need to go for. His good and perfect will.
Your posts always have me thinking and synchronising the lesson/ impressions with what God is teaching me. Thank you Floyd. Blessings to you!
Floyd
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 7:06 am
I hear you, Maureen. Complacency is like just a little bit of poison mixed with good things; it still does overall harm I think. You always make me think as well, iron sharpening iron. Thanks, Maureen and all God’s blessings on you as well.
April
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 7:30 am
I often hear a song and think back to the “yesteryears”…that’s not always good though. I think as we get older (at least for me), we care less and less about the past and more about the here and now (as we should) because we recognize the wisdom, growing up, and blessings that we have now that we didn’t even remotely come close to back then. I wouldn’t trade the now for any of the old days ever. 🙂
Floyd
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 6:28 pm
I hear you, April. It’s a little painful to remember some of the dumb things I’ve done! Although I certainly have gained wisdom by all those mistakes… I wouldn’t trade a day either. Good call. Thanks, April. It’s great to hear from you!
Loren Pinilis
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 10:29 am
I wonder, though, if we’re supposed to grow away from how we were as kids. I think we certainly may lose some good things and become complacent, but there’s also a lot of wisdom and experience to be embraced.
Floyd
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 6:32 pm
I agree, Loren. I was reflecting more about the way life begins to make us take good things for granted. I don’t want to get so soft that I forget to appreciate the little things. Your spot on, I wouldn’t trade the wisdom or experience, hopefully we can add those to a good perspective. Good point. I couldn’t be happier about growing away from many things! Thanks!
Jillie
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 11:08 am
It seems to me that people think more and more about “the good ole days” as they age. What elderly person do we know who DOESN’T consistently travel Memory Lane when we’re with them? They tell us the wonderful stories of their childhood, or the great cars they’d owned way back when, or the much better prices of things, etc. Everybody knows the “good ole days” weren’t all that good, but somehow, in the memory, things inevitably end up better than they actually were. At least for most of us. We like to recall the pleasant things. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
I also think that in today’s messed-up world, maybe those good ole days really were the best we’re going to get. All we have to do is look around us or listen to the news, and we do pine for the better, simpler things of life. Or for Jesus to come back…soon!
Not to be totally pessimistic, there is also much good in our world today. We may have to look deeper to find it, but it is there.
And yes, Floyd, the old tunes do transport me too, to other times and places in my life. Not all of them good. But I’m with you, Brother! Crank up that Pioneer stereo…roll those windows down all the way…belt out that tune at the top of your lungs! Makes you feel young and alive, doesn’t it?!?
Floyd
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 6:37 pm
Yes! It does feel great to enjoy life and use the voice and volume God gave us to belt out those old simple tunes! Even if I am off key!
I’m guilty of taking too many gifts from God for granted. I begin to expect things instead of truly appreciating what I’ve got. I don’t want the miracle of life to be lost on worrying about tomorrow. God will see to that! I think we do get bogged down and begin to get pessimistic, me for sure. I’m just giving myself a gut check! The gift to reason and think and interact is wonderful… I’d say that makes these “The good old days!” Excellent points and perspective. Loved that last line! God me going! Thanks, Jillie!
Joanne Norton
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 6:14 pm
About 25 years ago, my favorite secular song became “Old Time Rock and Roll” … AND it will be used at my funeral service, either played by my music friends or just on the system. AND it might be part of the funeral, but most likely, b/c a church might refuse, it would be at the get-together, whatever that is and wherever that is. YES, a number of worship/praise/hymn songs that are buried in my heart. But this one, too. Dave loves to watch me dance to it and thoroughly jump in a happy way… and my g-kids laugh. So, how could it not be at my funeral? Many people know it’s part of my life. AND there’s nothing foul or ungodly. Just music. Have so many rock music portions from the beginning times until about a decade later. Too much changed in the music, overall, and I couldn’t stay in it. And I’d come to the Lord by then, so things couldn’t be ignored. But the occasional song that has hit our lives in a good way, well, we can’t let them go unless there ain’t no choice.
Made me grin again, Brother.
Bless you.
Floyd
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 6:45 pm
We’re even, you made me grin too! I can just see you dancing around and your family smiling and having fun. Those are God given memories. I like that old Bob Seger song too. I wore that album out! I’m with you on some of the secular music. If it has a decent message and is simple, I don’t see it as too bad either. Keep dancin’, sister!
Joanne Norton
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 7:40 pm
My husband ain’t a dancer — we’ve tried, mostly the country line-dancing, etc. — and we’re too busy to go anywhere or be involved. BUT I still move my feet a LOT; hard to NOT move them even when driving and a good and fun song is on. The funny one… the Bhutanese, when I’m there at church during a singing time, and I start “dancing” a bit in worship, they just LOVE to see their “mom, grandma, sister” doing that. Can’t NOT!!
Blessings…
Floyd
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 7:53 pm
We got the rhythm, sister! The rhythm and beat is in my head… I wake daily to a song. I think it’s a gift. You go girl!
Hazel Moon
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 6:32 pm
My songs are so old that they never play them anymore. It is strange how music brings us back to other good times. There are so many older hymns that I never hear any more and would love to have them repeated. I am glad you turned down the volume for your wife, and she appreciated it. You are right to really get in the mood you desire, you must pull down the car window and let in the cold air and turn off your heater, and your heated leather seat. Good reminder that perhaps the best days are ahead and the good old days are really past.
Floyd
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 6:50 pm
Yup! Good call, Hazel! You have a way of seeing the deepest meaning and point! The best days are definitely ahead for us! It’s good to enjoy the things provided by God and not take them for granted, but our best and perfect days are ahead for sure. I miss the old hymns too. They play some at church, but not too often. Wise words, Hazel. Thanks!
Betty Draper
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 8:06 pm
Oh this memory just flashed in my mind.
Recently a friend picked me up in a yellow convertible…we did crank the stero up…where else…the oldie but goodies. Wind in our hair, everyone looking at us as we passed car after car and for a minutes we were young, care free. Till she dropped me off, my course white hair was twisted in knots…my face was sun burned, my eyes were running from the wind and I felt all of my 65 years as I could hardly get my body out of the low riding car. Some things are better left to the young.
I can voice the same response as many did. Age and wisdom teaches not to linger long on the past or we will find ourselves longing for it and missing what God has for us now. Thank God the “good old days” has lost its hold on me. Good post brother.
Floyd
Saturday, February 23, 2013 @ 7:54 am
Well said, Betty. It’s good to be able to enjoy the things of youth without being owned by them. I just wonder how many of us take the small things for granted that we wouldn’t dream of as a kid? I tend to be that way. While I don’t want to be young and dumb, or dumber, I do want to not take all the gifts from God for granted. You always seem to fold things into a nice manageable package. That too is a gift I don’t want to take for granted! Thanks, Betty.
Sheral
Sunday, February 24, 2013 @ 10:26 am
This totally reminds me of one of my favorites. A song Carley Simon—These are the good ol day’s. When times seem tough, I ponder on that song and realize in a few years we will all rember this week, month, year…as the good ol days. I think its God’s way of reminding me of my blessing today…but WOW, those old tunes do make me feel like a kid again and its….GREAT!!! LOL Love the feeling and you put it in words we can all understand…really takes you back
Floyd
Sunday, February 24, 2013 @ 3:07 pm
I forgot about that Carly Simon song! That’s a good one! It’s good to sing along like a carefree kid, I think it’s good for the soul. So sing it, Sister! Thanks, Sheral.
Chuck Allen
Sunday, February 24, 2013 @ 6:56 pm
I loved that song! I would have to turn the volume up for that as well. I definitely consider myself blessed to have a childhood and youth where the good times rolled.
Floyd
Monday, February 25, 2013 @ 6:43 am
It’s all about attitude and perspective isn’t it? With the right ones I think the good times roll with us all the way through this life into God’s presence, regardless of the rough roads. Thanks, Chuck. Keep rollin’, brother!
Mike
Monday, February 25, 2013 @ 12:55 pm
There are still songs that bring be back to a time when I was without responsibility and cares. I have found though that some of them have some rather salty lyrics that I really never paid much attention to as a teenager. The 70’s is still my favorite music era, but I do enjoy most music. It is different now though. It was exciting back then and a big part of my life. Now it’s a very temporary escape and not quite as exciting as it used to be.
Floyd
Monday, February 25, 2013 @ 5:21 pm
Yeah, I’m figuring that out, Mike…. But ever so often it does hit me!
Dan Black
Tuesday, February 26, 2013 @ 6:45 pm
Here is a great quote about the power of music:
“Music listening and music therapy have been shown to help people come a broad range of psychological and physical problems.” Daniel J. Levitin
I have songs I can listen to that stir my emotions and ignites my energy and motivation. Songs can bring us back to past experiences and memoirs. Great post.
Sorry I’m late for the discussion:)
Floyd
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 @ 12:53 pm
I’m glad you made it, Dan!”I have songs I can listen to that stir my emotions and ignites my energy and motivation.” I’d say you summed that up quite nicely! The gift of song is from God and like all things, starting with that as the foundation and purpose it puts all things in perspective. Great add, Dan. Thanks!