Saturday 9: The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) 1966

Saturday 9: The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) 1966

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

1) The bridge that inspired this song is The Queensboro Bridge in New York City. Are you near a bridge right now as you answer these 9 questions?  No. The closest one is probably a mile from here.
 
2) Paul Simon says he "loathes" this song and only performs it because fans want to hear it. What's your favorite Paul Simon song?  Oh my, so many to choose from. I'm just going to go with the first 2 that came to mind...50 Ways to Leave Your Lover and Kodachrome.
 
3) "Groovy" is such a 1960s word. What common word/phrase from 2020 do you predict will sound just as silly and quaint some day?  I have no idea. I know I've had all this free time this year, but I've really not paid much attention to pop culture.
 
4) Paul is a lifelong Yankees fan and was thrilled to meet his all-time idol, Joe DiMaggio. Mr. DiMaggio was, at first, less than thrilled to meet Paul because he thought the song "Mrs. Robinson" made fun of him. Once Simon convinced him it was an homage, the men got along fine. Do you have a celebrity encounter to tell us about?  My mom and I walked past Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward on the sidewalk once. I met Toby Keith and shook hands with Bill Clinton...waaaaaay back in the day.

5) Art Garfunkle was the other half of Simon and Garfunkle. Art and Paul met in sixth grade, when were both in a school production of Alice in Wonderland. Tell us about one of your school theatrical appearances.  When I was in 5th grade my class had to put on two plays to have enough roles for everyone. I had a role in both plays. I don't remember much about them other than I was a queen in one and a secretary in the other.

6) "Artie" used to love needling Paul about his height -- or lack thereof. He maintained he was trying to be funny, but Paul thought is was mean and says the constant digs hurt. Is there anyone in your life who similarly enjoys teasing?  My whole family teases. If we like you we tease you...though I would never tease someone if it was truly bothering them.
 
7) Paul told NPR that his impulse to write new music has always come "in bursts." He'll go years without composing, and then he'll write every day for months. Do you often feel creative?  Much like Paul, it comes and goes. When it comes I can't ignore it. It's a burning urge.
 
8) In 1966, when this song was popular, First Daughter Luci Johnson married Patrick Nugent. Their reception was held at the East Room of the White House. The couple had an 8 ft. tall wedding cake and when the bride threw her bouquet, it was caught by her sister, Lynda. Sure enough, Lynda married a year later. Tell us about a wedding you attended (or your own).  The most recent wedding was our daughter's three years ago. It was late September and we had it in the field at my stepdad's farm. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding.

9) Random question: Which do you regret more -- the times you were cautious or the times your were reckless?  I don't really regret many things. I figure they all helped me get to where and who I am...though it took some time to get to that way of thinking. I guess if I regret things, they are times I was maybe too cautious.

Join in the fun with Crazy Sam & the

rest of the Saturday 9 crew right here.