SILENCE IS GOLDEN
I heard the adage Silence is Golden a lot as a kid, but not so much anymore. To be honest the old slogan hasn’t even come to mind in years, and more than just a few.
It’s my guess that I’m not the only one who hasn’t thought of those words lately either. And I’ll bet it’s for a similar reason; we don’t cherish silence like we used to in our society today…
I was reminded that Silence is Golden in a very unexpected way last weekend. Odd that it was in a less than silent setting. Words, however you hear them, can be a mighty powerful tool for change… and open the heart and mind to the dire need of it.
Music has been a huge part of my life – all of my life, as a kid was no exception. It’s fair to say that music may have been even more impactful then.
Some songs you hear a couple times and they become a part of who we are and you carry them with you forever.
Even though heavy Rock and Roll was all the rage in the late sixties, there were some pop songs that were just too catchy to be denied. One of those catchy songs my cousin Quay and I sang at the top of our lungs long before we could add or subtract. Some things are easier to memorize than others when a person is still having birthdays that can be counted on two hands.
That particular song started like a mellow crooner, but come chorus time it stalled momentarily then a massive orchestra burst into a riff in overdrive. Just as that ended is when Frankie Valli belted out the famous line that my cousin and I loved to imitate. “I Love You Baby”.
By that time Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ songs were part of American culture. Even though a lot of the songs were born about the same time as me, they were still getting radio play. They were too catchy to fade away… still are.
Some of the instant classics were “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Walk Like a Man”, “Rag Doll”, “Dawn”, and “Working My Way Back to You” to name a few. It would be some years later when songs like “My Eyes Adored You”, “December, 1963”, “Who Loves You”, and “Grease” would blare from FM radios and Junior High and High School dances.
But of all those songs that most of us can at least sing the chorus to by heart, it’s the one that never makes the top lists for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons that is still ringing in my head from last weekend.
I could hear that familiar voice that had been with me in my childhood and adolescent days as we walked through the doors. I figured there would have been an opening act. I guess when you’re 84 you wanna get the show done and get to bed.
As soon as Frankie started singing “Silence is Golden” not only did the memory of the song come to me, but also the adage that has seem to have gone missing from my life and so many others as well.
Frankie Valli, Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, 1/19/19
I know the author of that song didn’t intend it to have the effect that it did on me. That’s what a lot of people call “a God thing”. And I believe that’s exactly what it was. When we belong to God we have the grace from Him to find His wisdom… especially when we need it.
I don’t know about you, but I need it. I need to “Be still and know that He is God”. Which when we can pull it off… it brings peace to the soul and reminds us that Silence is Golden.
Sunday, January 27, 2019 @ 6:37 pm
Oh, how I loved Frankie Valli and all the songs from the Four Seasons, Floyd! But this reflection puts it in such a catch-the-breath, take-stock-of-it-all moment. Silence IS golden! How else are we to ever hear the small, still and quiet voice of the Lord?
Music has been a huge part of my life since childhood, but in these latter years, I’ve preferred silence even over the most appealing of melodies. Not that music doesn’t thrill my soul, but the voice of God is a greater thrill.
Blessings, brother!
Sunday, January 27, 2019 @ 6:42 pm
Oh, Floyd, I got to see Frankie last year. When we (I say we, cause I was singing at the top of my lungs along with him) Silence is Golden…oh, the tears…streamed down my face. This is a great post. Thanks for reminding us! And I’m so glad you got to see him. Amazing at his age, huh?
Sunday, January 27, 2019 @ 7:22 pm
Another excellent post, Floyd…among the many. For a sentence or two I didn’t know where you were headed there in the middle, but then there you were right back again, where you began and where you needed to end up. I like the way you write, my friend.
Sunday, January 27, 2019 @ 7:28 pm
Oh, my word, Floyd. I am in tears. THIS song is one of my all-time favorite songs from that era and genre. The way I learned it was quite different from the way you did, though. When we lived in FL for the first several years of our marriage, Kevin and I used to go visit “Old Town” in Kissimmee on the weekends when they would have old car shows . The oldies blared from speakers all along the sidewalks, and that is where I first heard the song, “Silence is Golden.” It touched me so deep inside, I just fell in love with that song. I didn’t even know who was singing it, but later Kevin and I found a 45 of it by a group called “The Tremeloes,” and we bought it right away. I still have it and cherish it so much. The tune and the words are just so moving and take me back to those special weekends all those years ago. We don’t own a turntable stereo now, but every now and then I get a hankering to hear this song and pull it up on youtube. I didn’t know until I read your post that Frankie Valli sang it, too! Thanks for another great post that took me down memory lane. God bless you. 🙂
Sunday, January 27, 2019 @ 8:42 pm
Sign me up, too. “When we belong to God we have the grace from Him to find His wisdom… especially when we need it.” I need his grace every single day!
Sunday, January 27, 2019 @ 10:16 pm
Oh I love that song, and those you listed. Am I dating myself… or what?! All you say is so true. Yes, when we are still, silent, ears attuned to our King, we do indeed know that He is God. He often whispers to us (like Elijah) in that still, small voice. Gotta tell you, though, Floyd, I thought you were going somewhere else w/ this post. This weekend, I thought of two other aspects of silence… or at least golden tones of not-so-loud. First, a friend and I lamented the noise levels that are killing our ears (our body temple) in so many places: church, movie houses, theaters, concerts, malls, and on and on and on. We are killing our ears, and we are losing our hearing. It’s ridiculous, but I have to take ear plugs every where I go! And the other examples of golden silence (literally) were given by two radio pastors today from the Song of Solomon, that it is better to keep silent than to speak. Boy, do I need to remember that. I have gotten sidetracked (esp in Soc. Media) w/ arguments, or even in person, over politics, theological views, etc. I would have been far wiser as King Solomon suggested to remain silent. Thank you for the “listen” down the musical memory lane and always for your wisdom!
Love
Lynn
Monday, January 28, 2019 @ 2:28 pm
My #2 song of all time. “I love you baby/And if its quite alright I need you baby/To warm the lonely night…” Yeah, classic. I’ve heard “Silence” sung by several others but none like FV. The lesson is better. Sometimes it is better to be quiet than to speak.
Monday, January 28, 2019 @ 4:23 pm
Just watched the FV movie the other night, sang along with every song. Maybe it’s age or the meds I take but I find myself quieter, even my family and friends remark I am quieter. The heart doctor says its the meds and here I thought I was in deep spiritual pondering.
Since we share a house with our son, wife and three grandchildren there are very few quiet days. But right now as I type this comment I have the house to myself…wonderful. Been working on my blog issue, it went deeper, lost all my past comments, ugg. But am determined to get some help, I am sure I cannot fix it on my own. I did post about it after trying a few things they suggested so give it a try for me, comment away and hopefully it will go through, if not, PRAY. GREAT POST BROTHER.