I know I’m giving away my age, but I recently re-discovered Supertramp and in particular The Logical Song.
I don’t proclaim to have an accurate memory of my 2 spectacularly unsuccessful years at University seeing as how I spent most of it either in the Neelsie (the on-site cafeteria) or in Finlays (a pub that sold Tassenberg at R8.00 a bottle that is sadly no longer there).
If there is one thing I always remember is an Afrikaans / Nederlands lecturer that put the lyrics of The Logical Song up on the overhead projector (do you remember those?). The lyrics just opened something up for me about growing up and I can’t remember the context of what she was trying to tell us, even though it was likely something to do with don’t-fuck-up-your-studies (see how well that went for me), but the words are nonetheless very special:
The Logical Song lyrics Songwriters: Davies, R; Hodgson, R; When I was young It seemed that life was so wonderful A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical And all the birds in the trees Well they’d be singing so happily Joyfully, playfully watching me But then they send me away To teach me how to be sensible Logical, responsible, practical And then they showed me a world Where I could be so dependable Clinical, intellectual, cynical There are times when all the world’s asleep The questions run too deep for such a simple man Won’t you please, please tell me what we’ve learned? I know it sounds absurd but please tell me who I am I say, “Now what would you say for they calling you a radical Liberal, fanatical, criminal?” Won’t you sign up your name? We’d like to feel you’re Acceptable, respectable, presentable, a vegetable Oh, ch-ch-check it out yeah At night when all the world’s asleep The questions run so deep for such a simple man Won’t you please, please tell me what we’ve learned? I know it sounds absurd but please tell me who I am Who I am, who I am, who I am ‘Coz I’m feeling so illogical D-d-digital Oh, oh, oh, oh Unbelievable B-b-bloody marvelousps Etienne and I are off on a special overnight date-night tonight and I’m deliriously excited!
Love thatsong – sweet memories