Reminiscing 1957: The Music

Author: Kathy A. Schaeffer

Notes of Pat Boone's April Love or Love Letters in the Sand can still evoke feelings of nostalgia that can not properly be described in words.  How do we express those warm and fuzzy feelings that came when Pat sang those same words decades ago?  Is there a way to write down or speak the feelings of wistfulness when we think of a particular dance, date, or person from 1957?

I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to describe, we just have to "go with the flow" so to speak and enjoy the feelings if they are indeed good memories. We stop and sense those feelings in the supermarket when suddenly over the music system, they start playing Blueberry Hill.  Who doesn't remember Fats Domino's Blueberry Hill?  Sometimes it happens while switching television or radio stations.  There is no escaping it.

Does the mention of a certain song cause the nostalgic feelings for you more than other songs?  Since 1957 is being highlighted here, which song will most likely bring a smile or perhaps a tear of homesickness?  Is it one performed by Elvis such as All Shook Up or Teddy Bear?  Did you see Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show in January of 1957 and remember the feelings of excitement as he performed those five songs?  Any memory, any song can call to mind the patchwork of days and nights that made up 1957.

It was a year of many colossal hits and artists. The Everly Brothers were belting out Bye Bye Love while Johnny Mathis crooned Chances Are. As I write these reflective thoughts, I realize that "chances are" there is a song that I will be mentioning here that will cause many readers to experience the very feelings I am hinting have no words to describe.  It will be a song that will transport someone back to 1957 and a certain kiss, a certain boy or girl, or even a fleeting memory that you can't quite put a finger on.  Embrace the reminiscence if it is a pleasant experience.

If I haven't so far named your special "transport song" to whisk you away to 1957, perhaps it is a song that Paul Anka or Buddy Holly performed?  Nat King Cole or Jim Reeves?  A slow dance with someone special while Bobby Helms sang the words "you are my special angel . .
."  Or maybe Johnny Mathis' voice filling your ears with the words "until the twelfth of never . . ."

Wake Up Little Susie by the Everly Brothers, Walkin' After Midnight by Patsy Cline, Nat King Cole's When I Fall in Love, or Jerry Lee Lewis' antics while singing Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On . . . any one of these songs generates the nostalgia for many people, you can undoubtedly add numerous more songs to the list.

What is your song from 1957; that one song that will trigger the feelings that defy description? You may want to consider sitting right down to write yourself a letter as Billy Williams sang about. Or better yet, write the letter to a child or grandchild and share 1957 with someone who means the world to you.  If you're very lucky, perhaps some of the feelings can be captured with mere words after all.