Saturday 9: Little Things

I'm linking up with Crazy Sam for the Saturday 9 today. It's the meme based on a different song each week, some you know, some you don't. It's always fun to see what music Sam will have for us and what creative questions it inspires. I'm not familiar with this week's song, but I do remember Bobby Goldsboro so let's get on with the questions!

Little Things (1964)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Bobby Goldsboro celebrates the "little things" that delight him, like seeing his girl smile. What are some little every day things that reliably lighten your mood?  Spending time with my grandchildren, spending time with God, talking to a friend, looking out the window and seeing dandelions blooming bright yellow in the green grass, waking up to the birds singing, hearing a favorite song on the radio.

2) Bobby is a lifelong sports fan. While in high school, he came to terms with physical limitations -- slender build, slow speed -- that would prevent him from having a career as a professional athlete. That's when he turned his attention to music. Given your choice, would you rather make your living in music or sports? Explain your decision.  These days I think I'll pass on both. I'm too old and achy for sports and I have zero musical talent so that leaves out music. When I was young I would have chosen sports. I played varsity basketball and softball in high school and I was always up for a pick-up game of whatever in the neighborhood.

3) Shortly before "Little Things" was released, Bobby toured England for two weeks, backing up Roy Orbison. They opened for The Beatles. Bobby fondly recalls spending time with Paul McCartney, teaching him how to imitate the croak of an Alabama tree frog. Are you good at imitations (human or otherwise)?  Not really. I can do a few barnyard animals and I used to be able to do Dana Garvey's "Church Lady" pretty well, but that's it.

4) Back in the States, Goldsboro (again with Orbison) opened for the Rolling Stones in New York. Which band did you listen to more recently, the Stones or the Beatles?  I don't listen to either one with that much regularity, but I'm going to guess the Stones because our local oldies station plays the Stones more than the Beatles.

5) Bobby worked on projects with Burt Reynolds, doing the music for the movie Gator and the TV show Evening Shade. Burt said it was not only Bobby's musical ability but also his wit that made him fun to work with. What qualities do you value in a coworker?  As long as they are a team player, someone who doesn't try to steal the glory at someone else's expense or slack off while others do the work, I can deal with just about anyone.

6) These days, Bobby spends more time painting than performing music. He regularly donates his artwork to be auctioned off for charity. Have you ever tried your hand at painting?  Not at anything serious, just rustic, crafty stuff.

7) In 1964, when this song was on the radio, women spent more on styling gels and sprays than they do today. Are you having a good hair day? Or has the pandemic made dealing with your hair something of an adventure?  Style-wise my hair's okay, if longer than I'd like it to be, but the 2-inches of gray roots are bugging me.

8) Nationally and internationally, one of 1964's biggest news stories was the marriage of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The bride wore a yellow dress and white and yellow flowers in her hair. The groom was decked out in a sedate dark suit with a red tie and a yellow boutonniere. What did you wear the last time you got really dressed up?  Silky, wide-leg black slacks, a silver tank top, and a silky black wrap. 

9) Random question: Imagine you're stranded on a desert island with a complete stranger. Would you prefer your one and only companion be a man or a woman?  Hmmm...a woman would most likely be better company as far as conversation, but survival would be a higher priority, I'd imagine, so I'd rather have a man because he would probably have a lot of helpful skills. At least I hope he would.