SOUNDTRACK: PATTI SMITH: “You Light Up My Life” (Live on Kids Are People Too) (1979).
While browsing YouTube, I found a bunch of fun videos from the kids’ programs Wonderama and Kids Are People Too. And that’s where I found this video of Patti Smith, of all people, singing this dainty pop confection.
Her introduction to the kids is weirdly wonderful (she says she wanted to be a missionary). And the kids ask some pretty good questions (I would think she was too scary to be on this show back then, but no one says anything remotely risqué). And she seems to genuinely want to inspire the kids. It’s really quite cool.
I listened to the original just now for the first time since the 70s, I’m sure. Although the first verse doesn’t sound drastically different from Patti’s version, once the chorus kicks in, Patti transforms this song into an angst-filled song of loss. And man, can Patti sing.
Check it out here.
[READ: November 7, 2010] “Boys Town”
When I first saw this author’s name I thought it was Jean Shepherd author of In God We Trust…All Others Pay Cash (otherwise known as A Christmas Story). And I thought that maybe it was going to be a quaint look at growing up.
It isn’t. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 