You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me

I've praised the Bookworm Blog a number of times recently but that won't stop me from doing so again. The woman who runs the blog writes anonymously but I know from a few weeks of reading her daily (hence the title of this post) that she is married with children, lives in California, and is a few years younger than myself. Her writings on politics are wonderful and wise but today she reveals herself to also be a woman of great taste: she loves all the old songs. Berlin, Porter, Gershwin, Rodgers, Arlen, and dozens of others who wrote the songs we now refer to as the Great American Songbook.  Any reader of this blog knows my own love of this music. Just this morning I listened to a playlist of great old songs during my workout and have had those tunes running through my head all day. Then I got home and found this wonderful post by Ms. Bookworm which also points to what looks like an interesting book which compiles the lyrics of over 1000 songs.  I must admit I'm not much of a fan of lyric compilations, for most lyrics die on the page. But Terry Teachout has made the case in the past that Johnny Mercer's lyrics approach what can be called poetry, and I would add Cole Porter, Dorothy Fields, Larry Hart, and Oscar Hammerstein to that list of lyricists whose words often approach art. So I may pick it up. It's just nice to know that there are people out there who still appreciate the old songs. (In truth, I think the popularity of the old music is growing due to the pitiful state of contemporary music and the availability of the old stuff on the web.) At any rate, another tip of the hat to the Bookworm Blog, which is absolutely getting to be a habit with me. It's one of my daily stops.  Make it one of yours too.