ASK ROD |
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A Thought for Today
Praise your God, pay your bills, and tell your friends often that you love them. Life can't get any simpler than that.
The current picture of Sunny at the top of this
page being replaced by posters from the past, can only mean one thing; Dwight is pushing something or other at Stanyan By Mail. Check it out . . . and bring back Sunny.
THE WIFE . . .
Hello.... Someone sent me your site and I felt as if I was visiting an old friend. My husband and I fell in love to your music. The year was 1970 and I was only 15, so most of our dates were in our basement or his car....and we would slide your tapes into the 8-track player and just talk quietly, about anything and everything.
I can still sing all the words to Stanyan Street and The Marvelous Clouds....(I'm pretty sure our first child was conceived during that song...=)
I just wanted to say thank you- almost 30 years late- but thank you, for the gift of your words, and your voice and your thoughts. They helped create a cocoon of love for two very young lovers. Just to let you know...next May we will celebrate our 30th anniversary....and we will play your music at our party. (We have the CD's now).
There are still golden apples to be picked.....even after all these years. Janet Walker, Chicago
. . . AND THE HUSBAND
Mr. Rod McKuen, My wife Janet just wrote to you to tell you a little something about you and your great music. She then sent me a copy of what she wrote. What she did fail to write in that note, was we had a set of twins 11 1/2 months later most probably because of your lovely music.
Your Music is the most romantic and mind freeing I have ever listened to. My wife was sick many long periods of time over our 29 & 1/2 years and most recently I had almost died. When I
came home from my long stay in hospital (76 days). My wife put the stereo on and she had it loaded with Music by you. It was some of the best Medicine I had to recover with.
WE still listen to your Songs when we want to have a quiet romantic night to ourselves. And with that said I want to thank you for being here when we needed you and letting us enjoy your fine voice and heart.
Our ride in life has certainly been on a "Marvelous Cloud" Thank you < bowing to you > Gary Walker, Chicago
Dear Janet and Gary, TWINS!! The only thing I like better than a great love story is being part of it. Thanks for letting me hitch a ride on your cloud.
Let me know the 30th Anniversary date & I'll post it on the Flight Plan that day. Love and especially good health to both of you and I want to be around to raise a toast on your 60th. Rod
CALIFORNIA
HERE I COME
Mr. McKuen- This isn't a question, and I'm sure you get millions of these, but I just wanted to let you know that I relate to what you have to say on so many levels. You are so talented and have given me profoundly deep insight into life and love.
I have finally fallen in love with a man in Long Beach that I intend to spend the rest of my life with. I
am originally from Thailand and now reside in Oklahoma City. January will carry me to California and I am excited to begin the rest of my life there. I am twenty years old and have been reading your work all my life.
My father and grandmother read your books to me in the womb, as a child I began to read you for myself, then as a teenager, and even still. Your words will resound in my life and my heart for as long as I love. Thank you for writing, it has made you an infinitely inspirational presence in many lives. Sincerely, Jesi Hansen
Dear Jesi, It's been a very long Sunday, lots of work and a lot of work coming up this week. After reading your letter and those of Janet and Gary Walter, my load is suddenly not quite as heavy as I thought it was.
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage and the start of your new life in California. Your words are very thoughtful and I thank you for sharing them with me.
I think I'll skip the scotch and drift off to sleep. Love, Rod
WITHOUT A WORRY IN THE WORLD
Sir, I would like to know if the song you wrote, Without A Worry in the World, has the following in it; "All men are merry who keep their troubles locked inside . . ."
If yes could you tell me who sang it? And if ever it was sung in
French, because I think it is the same song a French singer, Georges Moustaki, sang it. The French title is " Le Meteque"
Thanking you in advance for your co-operation I remain cordially yours. Alfred A Sawaya
Dear Alfred, My lyric "Without a Worry in the World" was indeed adapted from George Moustaki's "Le Meteque." As far as I know I'm the only artist ever to record the English lyric. It was a hit for me in Europe and there's a Greatest Hits album entitled "Without A Worry in the World." In the late sixties Georges had a record of it with his original French lyric that stayed as #1 for ten weeks.
I've had the pleasure of adapting several of the great French singer-songwriter's songs including "Ma Solitude," which I call
"Solitude's My Home." Georges, of Greek heritage, has been a major star on the continent for over forty years.
I'm sure there are several references to the song in The Flight Plan Archives. Kindest Regards, Rod
THE ATHLETES IN THE OLD SCHOOL ANNUAL
Dear Rod, For more years than I care to remember, "The Athletes in the Old School Annual" has been my favorite poem. I have loved it since the first moment that I heard it. Because it has never been printed anywhere that I know
of, this question came into being.
Ken was kind enough to use it on April 5th of this year in his column, and for the first time I saw it in print. I was one VERY surprised lady. I had always thought that the poem
ended where Jay ended the first stanza. I had to go to the old vinyl album to determine where the dividing lines between the poems were, and listen to see if it did go on further than I thought that it did. It did. But something still bothered me, because I thought that I had seen stanzas two and three in print as two separate poems.
Recently I bought the February 9, 1968, issue of "Life" magazine on ebay, and there it was on page 38--stanza two as a separate poem entitled "Bengie". The copyright
information says 1966 and 1968, but there are 3 poems on that page, so I'm not sure which date applies. I'm also not sure of the date of the album "In Search of Eros". Jay puts it at 1961. The Library of Congress says 1962 with a question mark after the year.
So, my question is, did you write three separate poems and later combine them into the "Athletes..." that we know today, or did you start with the poem as we know it and later use stanzas two and three as separate poems in some print media? Was stanza three ever printed anywhere with a different title? A few other quick questions. In stanza one, does the "and" in "just as I've forgotten Hampton Skies the athletes in the old school annual and the songs we sang that summer" belong there. I don't remember it. My age?
In stanza three, Jay has "One year older and still I look. The park, by the river, on the street..." I seem to remember "in the park, by the river". Which is correct? And finally, at the very end, I've never heard a version that includes a line that Jay included. I remember, as the ending, "It is as though my world is made of yesterday's Sunday afternoons, old skies, snow on red brick pavements and passers by remembered, but maybe tomorrow." Jay prints, "It is as thought my world is made of yesterday's Sunday afternoons, old skies, snow on red brick pavements and passers by remembered. The Athletes in the Old School Annual. But, maybe tomorrow." Did you change it on one of the recorded versions that I'm not familiar with? Can we look forward to you someday printing this poem somewhere for us? Love and Hugs, Carol Widel
Dear Carol, it's not all as complicated as it sounds. Checking my back journals it turns out that I wrote the original "Athlete's in the Old School Annual" l while I was going to Army Information School at Fort Slocum, N.Y. in the winter of 1953. Just didn't get around to using it till about a decade later on the LP "In Search of Eros," where I coupled it with two other poems to make a single track.
You must know by now that I continue to revise my work, so everybody's right. The first printed version (revised yet again) is in a collection of my work, "Rusting in the Rain," which hasn't yet been published. See, wasn't that easy? Cheers, Rod
IN SEARCH OF EROS
Good Morning Rod, I recently purchased two albums... The Poetry That Is (England) and The Rod McKuen Collection (Australia). Both are exact copies of In Search of Eros even down to the rear cover of the LP. Are these 'legal' copies or are they rip-offs? Waterfalls, Jay
Dear Jay, Not only are these pirate albums, but I hope whoever ripped them off gets trapped in one of your famous waterfalls. Gee, if they're gonna steal the album, the least they can do is not change the name. As ever, Rod
LA MER
Hi! I'd bought your music CD "La Mer." I feel the voice is good and want the poem so that I can read with the music. However, the accompanied poem is in English. Is it possible to find the French version? Thank you very much. Bachestian Chen
Dear Bachestian, I'd love to oblige but the only copy I have of the French text to "The Sea" (La Mer) is integrated with the music in lead sheet form. The words and music to the entire album runs to around 100 pages. I've thought of breaking it down and putting it into verses, alas there isn't
enough time. Since I'm the author of the original English text from which the French adaptation was taken, I'm the only one who knows how it should look on the page.
One day I'll get around to it, perhaps; but conjugating all those French verbs any time in the immediate future . . . ? I don't think so. Sorry, wish I had better news. Warmly, Rod
TWO QUESTIONS FROM NAN
Dear Rod: I have two questions--one of which might be applicable to "Ask Rod". Petula Clark's appearance in the performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's music next month. Does this mean we won't be seeing you next Spring in a performance of his music.
Just wondered--have a sister coming to see you then. Thanks if you can let us know about that question. We have really been looking forward to it.
The second question is kind of silly--what do you do with Sunny when he runs around at 5 a.m. and won't quit. I am losing so much sleep. Sounds like you have Sunny tamed down. Actually Sloopy is the active one, Dwight M has a 5-foot high perch Dave built for him--and he sleeps there. Love, Nan
Dear Nan, There are enough Lloyd Webber songs to go around so I'll still be part of a program devoted to his work on 2,3 & 4 of March, produced by David Halligan who has no association with Pet's show. Meanwhile if you miss Petula during her weeklong stand in San Diego, she'll be playing the following week in Pasadena. I'll give you all the details on both stints later in the week.
Now about your new kitten running around at 5:AM. Sorry, no help here. That's what kittens do. I regard Sunny as, among other things, a trusty alarm clock. Not that I've ever gotten used to being awakened at five (and he didn't observe the end of daylight savings time over the
weekend). As ever, Rod.
SHEET MUSIC AVAILABILITY
Dear Mr. McKuen: My friend Joseph is looking for sheet music on the following songs.
(1) A Boy Named Charlie Brown
(2) Summertime of Days
(3) Isn't It Something
(4) Blue
(5) Homeward
(6) I Never Go There Anymore
(7) Wind Of Change
Thanks again. I heard some more of your music today at my friend's place and it is very nice. Looking forward to your reply I remain, Sincerely yours, Paul Karls
Dear Paul, 'A Boy Named Charlie Brown' is available in a song folio which contains all the songs and music from the movie. The other songs aren't as easy to come by because conventional sheet music is not available on them, the process takes longer and they are somewhat costly to reproduce.
A music librarian has to go to the master files and pull each song and then make machine copies. It can be done but it's expensive The cost of his time and the reproduction fee is $10.00 per song. The songs and the "Charlie Brown Folio" are all available from Stanyan By Mail.
I hope this information helps. Kindest regards, Rod
DORY PREVIN
Hello, Just adding to my e-mail of Oct. 19th. I've tried all over the web to get the video by Dory Previn mentioned on your website. Even though it was recorded in Ireland I can't get a copy here.
I don't want to sound too impatient but can you forward the person's e-mail address to me? My wife and I would be very grateful if you can oblige me. Donal Power.
Dear Donal, Are you sure you have the right web site? I don't recall mentioning a Dory Previn video but if you find one let me know. I'm a big fan too. Cheers, Rod
THE LAST WORD
"Dear Rod, Out of the Mouths of Babes...Love, tara"
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF GEORGE W. SHRUB
George W. Bush is out jogging one morning, notices a
little boy on the corner with a box. Curious he runs over to the child and says, "What's in the box kid?" to which the little boy
says, "Kittens, they're brand new kittens."
Gov. Bush laughs and says, "What kind of kittens are they?"
"Republicans," the child says.
"Oh, that's cute," Bush says, and he runs off.
A couple of days later Bush is running with his buddy Dick
Cheney, and he spies the same boy with his box just ahead.
Bush says to Cheney, "You gotta check this out!" They both
jog over to the boy with the box.
Bush says, "Look in the box, Dick. Isn't that cute? Look at
those little kittens. Hey kid, tell my friend Dick what kind of
kittens they are."
The boy replies, "They're Democrats."
"Whoa!" Bush says. "I came by here the other day, and you said they were Republicans. What's up?"
"Well," the kid says, "Their eyes are open now."
Only eight more days till we head for the polls in one of the most important elections ever. If you haven't yet made up your mind, it's getting late in the game. My campaign slogan for the day is an old cliché, but never more pertinent: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
RM 10/29/2000 Previously unpublished.
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