I’m going to start a little differently today, giving you the background for this story first. You’ll see why in a moment.
This week’s Monday Morning Mark included one of his (in)famous song rewrites. You can read it here:
My mind wandered, as it is wont to do. Instead of new song lyrics, I started to hear dialogue in my head, consisting of song titles. I took that very basic dialogue and turned it into a story. And I decided to challenge readers.
The song titles will be obvious. Every line of dialogue is a complete title. Your challenge, without cheating, is to see how many you can match to the artists who first recorded them. Afterward, you can scroll to the very bottom of the page to click links to listen.
Disc Dialogue
“Which way you goin’ Billy?” Caroline sidled up beside Billy as he aimed his key fob at his brand-new sports car.
“Across the universe,” babe.
Billy, never one to give a straight answer, wasn’t about to start now. Caroline knew better than to expect it.
“So far away,” Caroline said, laughing. She knew this game well. She and Billy had been playing it for the entire seven years of their on-again off-again relationship. She wasn’t sure which they were right now.
“Hitch a ride?”
Apparently, Billy was leaning towards on-again.
“Stay?” Caroline gave him her best come-hither smile. She wanted to be with him tonight but wasn’t really up for another one of his crazy joy rides.
“Sweet Caroline…”
When Billy started with that line, Caroline knew there was no budging him. Shaking her head at once again giving in to his my way or the highway attitude, she opened the passenger door. Climbing in, she said, “It’s time to go.”
I need to create a little space here to keep you all from seeing the answers to the challenge before you have a chance to come up with the artists on your own.
Here’s a picture I took of a bee burrowing in the grass.
And here’s a picture I took of an albino slug I saw on the sidewalk outside my door. At least I think it’s an albino. I’ve never seen one this pale before.
Finally, here’s me, holding a tiny book I wrote for the WalloBooks Project. This is a worthy initiative that provides free one-page books (written and illustrated by creators who volunteer their time) to children around the world.
Songs:
Which Way You Goin’ Billy Susan Jacks and the Poppy Family
Across the Universe The Beatles
So Far Away Carole King
Hitch a Ride Boston
Stay Jackson Browne
Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond
It’s Time to Go Taylor Swift
I'm so bad at this. I only knew one but enjoyed I the story!!
Loved the story, I really can't remember artists! It was fun just the same. Nice work, Mark!