“Joy to the world” is a song also popularly known by its opening words, “Jeremiah was a bullfrog”. The song, which has been described by members of Three Dog Night as a “kid’s song” and a “silly song”, topped the main singles charts in North America, was certified gold by the RIAA, and has since been covered by multiple artists. It was Billboard Hot 100 number-one single for six weeks in 1971. Wikipedia (must be true)
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I don’t use the land line at the house. Haven’t for years. The land line seems to exist only to capture those inconsequential solicitation messages from annoying call centers. I just wish the calls were at least interesting ... sorta like my junk e-mails where I inherit millions of dollars every day from African relatives that I never knew I had. Those annoying phone messages tend to consume my time as I listen to voices droning on while they read their annoying, well-rehearsed sales scripts in either a depressing, monotone voice or the extereme caffeine voice. It’s all very annoying … have I said that yet? Well, not enough times for sure. I am willing to take the bullet for our family by being the one who does the message listening and erasing … all the while asking myself to recurring question of, “Why do I continue to pay a monthly bill for this joy?” Clearly, I’m twice tortured. Next month I’m gonna cancel the land line … no, really, this time I will. (Next month never seems to come.)
Last week the pattern changed. A different sounding voice was on the recorder. Could it be my African relative? No, it was not. Although I was disappointed at first, it was much better than inheriting millions and millions of dollars ... I guess. You see, I was listening to a voice from the past … way, way back, as in 1975. And in 1975, that voice was from a fellow ten year old buddy of mine. Of course his voice sounded unfamiliar on the recorder. I’m just glad that my own voice sounds the same as it did when I was a ten year old. I know this because when I was around three years old, my adolescent voice changed to the hairy-chested tone that you are all familiar with today. I’m really not sure what a hairy-chested tone is, but it sure sounds manly. (Beg your pardon? Why yes, I have always been this manly … and hairy.) So, the voice I heard on our recorder was not a polished sales pitch, but more of an impromptu stammering from a stranger inquiring if I was the Kevin Monroe that used to reside in Antioch, California. I quickly tried to think of all the kids I borrowed lunch money from and failed to repay. Whoa, that list was way too long. He then provided the clue I needed … his name and his cell number. He did not offer a land line. I was really intrigued now.
I definitely knew his name when he said it and was relieved that I didn’t owe him any money. The following day we talked on the phone … uh, our cell phones that is. (As you are well aware, people in their 40’s are always so in tune with the latest technology.) He said that what prompted him to call me was that he was reminiscing about his youth and recalled a time when we were sitting on the school bus together singing Three Dog Night’s, “Joy to the World.” To this day, I think anytime I choose to sing in public, it marks a memorable event in people’s lives … not sure why. That memory set the stage for our private, two-person Mission Elementary School Reunion. We had a great time reliving memories and catching up on our missing 36 years. I think Russell from the movie UP summed up our memory lane trip when Russell said, “I know this may seem boring, but I think the boring stuff is what I remember the most.”
Now I find myself trying to figure out if my recent phone call from “the friend from season’s past” was a friendship that was cherished and that the silly singing just happened to be part of it … or, could it be that my rendition of “Joy to the World” was the critical element to retaining our friendship memory all these years? I’m not sure, so in an abundance of caution, and not wanting to risk any friendship memory lapse, I hereby pledge to relentlessly build existing friendships and passionately seek new ones. Sounds good so far, right? But also, I promise to tirelessly pursue you in an uncomfortable, boarder-line stalking manner. When I catch you, I will bellow out the soothing words of “Joy to the World” directly at you. Our friendship is just too important not to do this. I hope you understand. I’m coming after you.
The good news is … I will find you. After I belt out the first few words of the song, the memory of our friendship will be indelibly lodged in your head in such a way that it will never escape. Oh, and I plan on adding some breathtaking choreography moves to my performance. So, I’ll see you soon … and probably sooner than you think.
Wait, wait … scratch that stalking part. On second thought, let’s just go out for ice cream instead. It’s probably better for everyone that way.
Say, mind if I borrow some ice cream money. I promise to pay you back. I'm expecting some of that African inheritance money any day now.
Call me.
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