Along the Way: The much-more-thrilling days of yesteryear

My wife just returned from the 50th reunion of her high school graduating class in Kansas.

I stayed home in Green Valley, courtesy of the oil companies and the outrageous cost of gasoline (for which the oilmen are blameless, of course).

And I got to thinking how things were in 1958 compared to today.

Back then, if a kid in high school could talk Dad into borrowing the family’s Plymouth Belvedere, Oldsmobile Super 88 or DeSoto Firedome V8, he could fill the gas tank at 30 cents a gallon and go pick up his date to the prom.

When they arrived at the American Legion Building or wherever the prom dance was held, they could dance to such tunes as “All The Way,” made popular by Frank Sinatra, or “26 Miles” by the Four Preps, or perhaps “Twilight Time” by the Platters.

Today, it might be “The Way I Are,” by a gentleman who calls himself Timbaland. Or “With You,” by Chris Brown. Or “Misery Business” by a group called Paramore.

And how might the lyrics compare?

Well, the Sinatra tune goes like this: “When somebody loves you, it’s no good unless they love you — all the way. . . happy to be near you when you need someone to cheer you — all the way.”

Today, Mr. Timbaland inspires listeners and dancers with: “I ain’t got no money, I ain’t got no car to take you on a date, I can’t even buy you flowers, but together we can be the perfect soul mates. . .talk to me girl.”

Back then, the Four Preps would harmonize: “Twenty-six miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is a-waitin’ for me, Santa Catalina the island of romance.”

Today, the youngsters might hear Chris Brown, in what is generally believed to be his greatest accomplishment so far, sing: “I need you boo, I gotta see you boo, and there’s hearts all over the world tonight, said there’s hearts all over the world tonight.”

In 1958, a couple could dance while the Platters sang: “Heavenly shades of night are falling, it’s twilight time; out of the mist your voice is calling, it’s twilight time; when purple curtains mark the end of day, I hear you, my dear, at twilight time.”

Today, dancers show their stuff to the delightful melody of the Paramores: “I’m in the misery business, let’s take it from the top, she’s got a body like an hourglass that’s ticking like a clock.”

I guess it’s a matter of taste, the music and lyrics (if any). Same thing with automobiles. Were they better back then or worse?

The truth of the matter is, the 1950s were pretty much the same as today. The future was as murky and unsettled then as it is today.

Back to automobiles: The first car I bought was a 1946 Chevrolet coup with something called “vacuum shift.” The vacuum didn’t shift well and the car kept blowing electrical fuses, but I loved it and wish I had it today.

I am positive automobiles are better today, but they looked better back then.

Music was better, too, by light years. So were movies, television and baseball. Why was baseball better? Easy. There were fewer teams and a player had to be exceptionally good to make it to the big leagues. There are twice as many teams today as there were in the 50s. People sometimes wonder whatever happened to the minor leagues. That’s simple, too. They’re now part of the major leagues.

Times change, and no doubt in 1958 some old geezer was dead certain the music and the automobiles and the baseball of his day were better.

I don’t know if they had proms in 1908, but if they did, the young feller could drive a Model T Ford, a Cadillac Model S, an Oldsmobile Electric or perhaps a Hupmobile to pick up his date.

And they could waltz or foxtrot or whatever, to “Cuddle Up A Little Closer, Lovey Mine,” or “Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly?” or “Shine On, Harvest Moon.”

Sakes alive! If they were brave enough and could figure out the right step, they could even dance to the most enduring and endearing tune of 1908.

It was called “Take Me Out To the Ball Game.”

Former Tucson Citizen columnist Corky Simpson writes a Friday commentary for the Green Valley News.