Once upon a time
but not so long ago …
When my baby godmama (Tink’s godmother. But you were able to figure that out, right?) got married, she had a band for the reception but also hired a DJ to spin some wax while the band was on a break. Since the DJ wouldn’t be filling much time, she crafted a carefully curated list. This gal isn’t the kind to leave much to chance, least of all her wedding.
Among her brief but lovingly crafted playlist were both “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Like a Prayer,” which were played back to back, if I’m not mistaken. When the Bon Jovi song came on, the bride strode out to the center of the dance floor at the Hiland Park Country Club, arms over her head all triumphant-like, belting out the ’80s anthem as everyone danced around in praise of her steeped-in-irony choice of this paean to the poor. We were so edgy in our love of this metal-lite ballad. (Can you imagine?! A ballad! Sung by acid-washed Jerseyites! At her wedding!) We wept from our hipness.
The happy couple joined forever that day wouldn’t come any closer to understanding the plight of Tommy (he formerly of the docks) and Gina (she of the diner), but as I listened to the song on my way home from Type A Mom in Asheville tonight, my mouth fell open upon realizing how much it described us currently.
(Yes, I sometimes listen to Hair Nation on Sirius. It’s somewhere between Jam_ON, 1st Wave and Lithium on the dial, and you’d be surprised to find just how many Motley Crue song lyrics you know, just from being alive on the planet during that time.)
Chuck and I must have absorbed the comforting bromides Tommy tells Gina, because we find ourselves saying things like “We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got” and “It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not” and “We’ve got each other, and that’s a lot for love” all the time. When I cry in the night, Chuckie often whispers something like, “Baby, it’s OK …. someday.” Except we don’t rhyme nearly so much. Or overuse the talk box.
Tommy and Gina would be so proud.
When our friends and family are cruel enough to ask how things are going, we give ‘em a hearty “At least we haven’t gotten a divorce!” complete with the jabby elbow gesture. And then we laugh and we laugh. And then one of us reminds the other that neither of us can afford a divorce attorney. And then the mood goes suddenly dark for the rest of the evening. (Hmmm.)
Back on that Saturday in June, I never thought we’d come to have such kinship with the song or its working-class heroes. I was just a college-educated wise ass impressing everyone with my knowledge of a cheesy song as I danced from my position of privilege. Man, were those ever the days.
I can only pray, that when this is all over and the relentless stress of managing all our money threatens to tear us apart, that we remain as tight as Tommy and Gina.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
abdpbt 09.28.09 at 12:46 am
Sounds to me like you guys are rich. Sorry to be cheesy, but it’s true!
abdpbt´s last blog ..Of Note This Week
amanda 09.28.09 at 10:23 am
Thank you for the trip back to Wilson Middle School circa 1986, I think.
amanda´s last blog ..Layers
Vishal 02.03.12 at 3:56 pm
Wow.. this is a really really old thread. i hope it and tommy and gina are still alive and well!
Was running through old snaps of the band and fell upon this.
The 80’s will never cease! To excite,To inspire,To humor.
Have a good one with those acid washed denims