Posted on 09/14/2013 10:46:59 AM PDT by SkyPilot
With all the bad news these days, something just made me want to post this song.
It harkens back to a different time, and a different America. It is generally known as a "Christmas Song", but it is really a timeless piece.
It also speaks to love, and the human heart. Because of God, we always have that gift.
Jim Croce - It Doesn't Have To Be That Way
"It Doesn't Have to Be That Way" is a 1973 single written and recorded by Jim Croce. It was released in 1973 and was the third and final single released from his album Life and Times. It reached a peak of 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent five weeks on the chart. Because of the Christmas theme and wintery images, the song is often played during the holiday season. It was also the second single released after Jim Croce's passing. The song is about a man who has recently ended a relationship and is feeling sad and lonely during Christmas time. Everything he sees in his town makes him want to return to his former relationship. He thinks that the feelings he has "doesn't have to be that way", and that if he returns to her everything will be better because "it's only right". If he stops by her house they can work the relationship out and get back together."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Doesn%27t_Have_to_Be_That_Way
(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...
Croce - another poet gone too soon. Veteran, too.
South Philly boy.
About twenty-five years ago I was given a CD with popular music Christmas tunes on it. This song is on it and became a favorite of mine. There are a lot of emotions wrapped up in Christmas, and this song taps into some of the hopeful and bittersweet ones.
I just saw Karla Bonoff in a small venue in Denver who wrote Linda Rondstadt covers who can no longer sing. She mentioned working with Andrew Gold ( Lonely Boy 1978) and Kenny Edwards who founded the Stoned Ponys in 1964. Both greats, both deceased. One from prostate cancer in 2011.
I think I will get that PSA test.
Underrated song writer. His music brings back some bitter-sweet memories for me.
Way, way too soon.
imagine what music is unwritten because of his death
Found it, he served in the Army National guard during the war, and was a convert to Judaism.
He enlisted in 1966 so he must have been attending during much of his career.
While searching I came across this video of the dumbest bid on the Price is Right, from a sailor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMCFRElyaCc
Thanks for posting this. Jim Croce was one of my songwriting heros. I remember laying in bed listening to the radio late one night (I’m thinking I was listening to Casey Casum), when it was announced Jim Croce had been killed in a plane crash.
I’m never been much into the celebrity thing, but I remember crying for Jim Croce like he was a family member. It felt like I’d lost someone close to me.
Karla Bonoff is a hugely under appreciated songwriter/singer - “Someone to Lay Down Beside” is an extraordinary song.
Linda Ronstadt has a GREAT live version on YouTube. The last verse is absolutely spellbinding! The late, great Don Grolnick on piano and “Waddy” on guitar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBkk3H_5Kpo
Back in the day, I saw her open for James Taylor in an outdoor concert in the Kings Island/Mason, OH tennis stadium.
Yes ... way to soon. Loved his music in my youth. He was in his way to my hometown of Sherman,TX to play a gig at Austin College when the plane crashed.
bttt
Amen. I remember someone saying to me Jim Croce died. People around me asked, "Is that the Time in a Bottle guy?"
I was extremely sad, because my cousin, who was beautiful and very gifted musically, used to play and sing "Photographs And Memories" to me. I explored more of Croce's music, and could not believe what a talented song writer he was.
You bet.
Plane crash. He was 30. Wiki says he died September 20th, 1973. I didn't realize next week is the 40th anniversary of his death.
Yes, it is. I was 14 years old, riding my bike around the block with a transistor radio hanging on the handlebars when I heard the announcement. It literally seems like yesterday.
In that link to Operator you posted you realize it is just him, his fellow guitarist/back up vocalist, 2 guitars and 2 stage microphones. That is it, before a live audience......and they nailed that song.
One of the best song writer /storytellers EVER !
BTTT
I remember those like it was yesterday . . .
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