Saturday 9: Feelin' Groovy

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) The bridge that inspired this song is The Queensboro Bridge in New York City. Are you near a bridge right now as you answer these 9 questions?

Yes indeed - it's the Route 422 bridge across the Schuylkill River. It's a new version of the bridge, too! When we first moved here, the bridge was old and pocked with pot holes. Construction on the replacement bridge began shortly afterwards and just finished up in September, in spite of the pandemic and a resident peregrine falcon. The construction actually stopped until the falcon moved out!

2) Paul Simon says he "loathes" this song and only performs it because fans want to hear it. What's your favorite Paul Simon song?

The Afterlife.

3) "Groovy" is such a 1960s word. What common word/phrase from 2020 do you predict will sound just as silly and quaint some day?

"Groovy" sounds silly and quaint?

4) Paul is a lifelong Yankees fan and was thrilled to meet his all-time idol, Joe DiMaggio. Mr. DiMaggio was, at first, less than thrilled to meet Paul because he thought the song "Mrs. Robinson" made fun of him. Once Simon convinced him it was an homage, the men got along fine. Do you have a celebrity encounter to tell us about?

Joe and I were waiting for the doors to open at the Ardmore Music Hall, where we were going to see Paul Barrere (RIP) and Fred Tacket from Little Feat, when Paul Barrere walked out to talk to the ticket guy. I screwed up my courage and actually said, "Hello Paul!" He was so gracious and nice, and we had a nice conversation, and of course I forgot to ask for a photo.

5) Art Garfunkle was the other half of Simon and Garfunkle. Art and Paul met in sixth grade, when were both in a school production of Alice in Wonderland. Tell us about one of your school theatrical appearances.

When I was a senior in high school, I had the lead in the school play. The play was Thorton Wilder's The Matchmaker, the play that the musical Hello, Dolly! was based on. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the rights because the film had just been released in theaters. We got around it by calling it A Day Well Spent (an 1835 plan that was an ancestor of The Matchmaker). I had a blast with the role!

6) "Artie" used to love needling Paul about his height -- or lack thereof. He maintained he was trying to be funny, but Paul thought is was mean and says the constant digs hurt. Is there anyone in your life who similarly enjoys teasing?

Yes.

7) Paul told NPR that his impulse to write new music has always come "in bursts." He'll go years without composing, and then he'll write every day for months. Do you often feel creative?

I'm not so sure about "often." It seems like whenever I try to be creative, I try too hard and I can't do anything.

8) In 1966, when this song was popular, First Daughter Luci Johnson married Patrick Nugent. Their reception was held at the East Room of the White House. The couple had an 8 ft. tall wedding cake and when the bride threw her bouquet, it was caught by her sister, Lynda. Sure enough, Lynda married a year later. Tell us about a wedding you attended (or your own).

The first wedding I attended was my older sister's in July, 1961. I was nine years old and was very proud of the fact that I was the Junior Bridesmaid. I loved my dress - it was a beautiful lavender chiffon with a wide darker purple sash. Gorgeous!

9) Random question: Which do you regret more -- the times you were cautious or the times your were reckless?

I'm not often reckless, but sometimes I'm overly cautious. I don't regret either.