by Mary Spearman
My first job was working in a small town record shop. It was called POCO Records, it was in Easley, SC. It was the place to be. The coolest job ever! Record stores were places to meet your friends after school and on Saturdays. They held the latest tunes and warmest vibes. Some came and stayed for hours, just to listen to the music that was played while they shopped. Some came and went rather quickly, on their way to other important events. There was nothing like holding your bag of freshly purchased tunes in your hand. Treasures that you could listen to over and over again. I have memories of the excitement that would build around the new releases of Jimmy Buffett’s latest. There was also excitement around other artists. From Jimmy Buffett to Michael Jackson, anticipation for new releases was exciting. With the recent passing of Jimmy Buffett, an all time favorite artist of mine, I became inspired to write this poem. As time passes things do change, but sometimes looking back is good. We didn’t know how good we had it with Jimmy Buffett and artists who would put out their hits on big vinyl records for fans to treasure! He will be missed!
I Miss Records and Tapes
by
Mary Spearman
I miss records and tapes.
Now we just press play.
Where is the fun in that?
Remember when you had to find the right spot for the needle?
That feeling you had when the tape was dragging?
The way you tighten the tape to make sure it didn’t break?
Cleaning your heads on a Saturday night
Hoping to get that sound just right?
I miss records and tapes.
Looking through bin after bin in the record store.
Hoping to get the new release before anyone else.
Playing samples turned up loud and listening, laughing and enjoying music.
Hi-Fi systems big enough to take up a whole wall.
Speakers that boomed like a thousand live rock bands.
Woofers woofing and tweeters tweeting.
Feel the beat and listen to the new rhythm.
The needle only skips where the scratches are.
Finding the song you heard on the radio.
Seeing the cover of the new release.
Reading the credits and lyrics with ease.
Cover art!
I miss records and tapes.
Only the best artists had their songs remembered by heart.
Eagles, Buffett, and Jackson were played loud and clear.
Through open doors for all to hear.
Like a magnet, follow the sound to the shop in the corner.
Check out the new releases, you won’t be bored.
I miss records and tapes.
The music lives on inside multipurpose devices.
At your fingertips more than that small shop could hold.
New artists can drop a tune at will.
Going viral is the new thrill.
I miss records and tapes.
