Downtown

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In Those Days, it was transistor radios not MP3 players that brought the music to my ears. And it was then (1965) that I first heard Petula Clark's song, "Downtown." We were living in Germany at the time. Although I liked the upbeat melody, I struggled to translate her words to English. Having lived a bit in a big city, I never really understood her fascination with one, but I thought that perhaps it was just Brooklyn.

Several years later, we settled not far from Hollywood and the words to Clark's song returned to my head. And with the marvel of the Internet, I've been able to recall the exact words. So, I went to Hollywood, and later worked a career in America's 2nd largest city, and I found out what cities really were about. Petula had to be smoking her socks!

"When you're alone and life is making you lonely,You can always go downtown. When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry seems to help. Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city. Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty. How can you lose? The lights are much brighter there. You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares and go Downtown. Things will be great when you're Downtown. No finer place for sure. Everything is waiting for you. Neither the traffic, nor noise, or the brighter lights impressed me. There were thieves and whores on nearly every corner and I feared being squashed by the traffic.

Don't hang around and let your problems surround you. There are movie shows downtown. Maybe you know some little places to go to where they never close downtown. Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossanova. You'll be dancing with them too, before the night is over. Happy again. The lights are much brighter there. You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares and go Downtown. Where all the lights are bright, Downtown. Waiting for you tonight. Downtown. You're gonna be alright now. Sure, there are plenty of movie shows that were filthy. And the lights were brighter, except in the alleys where you are likely to get jacked. And there wasn't time to dance after you're car was stolen.

And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you. Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand to guide them along. So, maybe I'll see you there. We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares and go Downtown. Things will be great when you're Downtown. Don't wait a minute more, Downtown, every thing's waiting for you! Downtown. Downtown. Yes, you'll find some one who you think is just like you. Someone who will introduce you to drugs, prostitution, pornography, or Gay sex.

So I've since fled the big city, and I don't miss it. There are birds, bees, and bears here. Unpolluted rivers without without concrete linings. Pristine beaches with an infinite number of sand dunes. Old fashioned burger stands and small town parades. Where senior citizens feel respected. Volunteer fire departments and a police department having a handful of cops. It's very dark at night and the loudest noise is an occasional chainsaw. And traffic only when the drawbridge opens, or when a logging truck climbs a hill.

And a Thought Dock to relax.
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