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Barbara Faigen's avatar

WBAI in NY used to play this every Saturday night back in the day, and we listened to it every time.

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C Wright's avatar

We always listen to the song on Thanksgiving Day!!! a tradition my husband started when the kids were small (30+ years ago!) and we continue it without him now!

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sixmorecharacters's avatar

I still have the album on vinyl. My little boys (now grown men) still hum the song and laugh out loud at the judge with the seeing-eye dog and "27 eight-by-ten color glossy photographs/With circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one." The song captured perfectly some of the absurdity that accompanied a very turbulent time in our nation's history. It was an anthem of youthful impudence and defiance.

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Kevin Robbins's avatar

I particularly like Coming into Los Angeles too which, who knows, may be based on a true story as well.

https://youtu.be/KYE4-_Yzj60?si=mg_NO-cgO3ik-GRz

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Marcy Anderson's avatar

Woody Guthrie didn't write "House of the Rising Sun," but he did record it a couple decades before The Animals recorded their version. Folk music is so cool. =)

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Tamsen's avatar

I first heard it at age 15, working late shift at the gas bar. The local campus radio station had a show during that shift with one particular DJ who was forever ducking out when his girlfriend came by the station. The favourite tracks were always Alice’s Restaurant and Inna Gadda Da Vida. Never became a fan of Iron Butterfly, but I can still sing the whole Arlo song - with feelin’! - 40 years later and it will always put a smile on my face.

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Margaret Dessington's avatar

Wow, that was a blast from the past! I had that album!

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Matt in DC's avatar

For mic checks I always used "27 eight by ten colored glossy pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining what the circles and arrows was all about. And the judge came in with the seeing eye dog. The judge wasn't going to look at the 27 eight by ten colored glossy pictures with the circles and arrows and the paragraph on the back. It was a case of American blind justice and there was nothing officer Opie could do about it" Now I'll have to go back and listen if I quoted it correctly. Enjoy your noodling.

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sixmorecharacters's avatar

One correction, Matt. It was Officer Obie.

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Susan Niemann's avatar

Happy Birthday today, Arlo Guthrie! It's a classic.The song played as we would help my mom in the kitchen. My dad was in the Marines for 6 weeks until they got rid of him for his mental issues. He, too, was an asshole whose weapon of choice was a belt. I survived him, tho. 🙄

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sixmorecharacters's avatar

You brighten the world, Susan.

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Susan Niemann's avatar

Can you see me blushing over here in Philly? 🥰 🙏

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