Serenade in the Supermarket
I was looking for nopales at Whole Foods and didn’t find them, but was seduced by about seven other expensive items. While I’m waiting in the checkout line, a man perhaps a little older than myself heads towards me with just a take-out container.
- Me: You can go ahead if that’s all you have.
- One-Item Shopper: Oh, thanks. Do you mind if I also grab a bottle of water?
- Me: No problem. I’ll hold your place.
- Two-Item Shopper:: (returned to line) Do you know what I’m doing right now? I’m listening to myself on the radio.
- Me: How are you doing that?
- Shopper: Don’t you hear it? I can’t believe they’re playing it.
- Me: Vaguely. I can’t make it out. How does it go?
- Shopper: (singing) She’s a Beau-ty. She’s a One in a Million Girl. Why would I Lie-I? You can Stand outside your Little World. You can Talk to a Pretty Girl. Don’t Fall in Lu-uve.
- Me: Wow! That’s a great song. Did you write it or sing it.
- Shopper: Wrote and sang. I can’t believe it. They hardly ever play this.
- Me: Well it’s good. It could really turn into a hit some day!
- Shopper: (looks at me increduously)
- Me: (encouraging) No, really. You never know. It’s a good song. It could be a big hit. Good luck with it!
Later that night I shared the lyrics with my husband.
- “That’s already been a hit. The Tubes. They had lots of hits in the eighties.”
- “Oh.”
I you-tubed The Tubes. Oh yeah, I do remember that song. There’s my friend, quite a bit younger, dancing in a pin striped suit and top hat. It really is a good song. I think I’ll put it on my i-pod.