Run

Dr. Theresa and I took a little road trip in a car that had some of that satellite radio in it. The first song that popped up was by our pal Kelly Hogan, so that was a nice surprise. We also listened to a broadcast of Casey Kasem's "American Top 40" from 1975. One of the songs in the countdown was "Run, Joey, Run," which came rushing back to me. It's all about this guy Joey who is running. "Run, Joey, run, Joey, run!" urges the galumphing chorus. The song is narrated from Joey's point of view, but a woman keeps breaking in to sing, "Daddy please don't! It wasn't his fault! He means so much to me." You see, this young woman's father has murderous intentions toward Joey, which is why Joey must run. SPOILER ALERT! The woman sacrifices her life to save Joey! The last time she sings her little part we are supposed to think she is expiring! She goes, "Daddy please don't! It wasn't his fault! He means so much to me. Daddy please don't! We're gonna get married..." Only there is a big pause between "mar" and "ried," the latter syllable being one she can barely choke out because she is expiring, as some heavenly "oohs" signal thereafter. The single is credited to David Geddes (I think that's the name) but come on! Where is this woman's credit? She carries the whole thing with her drama. Plus the chorus is a bunch of other dudes telling him to "Run, Joey, run." When you think about it, he's barely in it at all. But HE's the one who got to prance around telling everybody about "his" top 40 hit. Hearing that song reminded me that there used to be a live-action Saturday morning show called RUN, JOE, RUN. It was about a dog accused of a crime he did not commit! And somehow I used to get the song and show, which were entirely unrelated, mixed up in my head. I thought you should know. Speaking of heads, here is the promised photo of John T. Edge measuring mine. To learn more, "click" here. (See also.) Photo by Blair Hobbs. PS I just watched the video of "Run, Joey, Run" and it turns out I was too hard on the singer. He's working for a living like anybody else! He does sing the chorus, it turns out, rather improbably encouraging himself to "run, Joey, run."