From Red Clay Soul

My parents went to college in the late 60’s at two small schools in South Carolina (Mom: Winthrop, Dad: Presbyterian), and they were big into the Carolina Shag. Most of the music they listened to was old Motown, which in turn became all we listened to growing up. I remember the Big Chill soundtrack, the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, and some other beach tapes that we used to play over and over…. While they weren’t all shag songs, it was, and still is, some of the best music ever made.

THE song that made me wish I could sing was ‘I Heard it Through the Grapevine’ by Marvin Gaye. My folks had a Best of Marvin Gaye album that we used to play on their record player, and it is the first song on ‘The Big Chill’ soundtrack.

It was the first time that I could feel someone singing. [emphasis added]. My brother and I used to sing that song over and over, must to our parents’ chagrin. There has never been anyone come close. No one can sing it like Marvin Gaye. His music is an emotional experience, so much so that Mrs. RCS and my first dance at our wedding reception was to ‘Come Get to This’. We danced the Carolina Shag. One of my favorite life experiences to date.