The Perfect Song

Charlottesville

September 26, 2025

As I’ve gotten old, I find myself listening to lyrics much more closely. It’s nothing I have actively sought to do, but I find hear certain songs now more with my heart than my ears. That doesn’t apply to “Don’t Fear the Reaper” , a song whose lyrics will always escape me.

“Anticipation” came on the radio during my Pilates class on Wednesday. Yesterday, I asked Siri to play it on my drive to Durham.

1971. Geez, I was 12 years old. No wonder the lyrics did not register with me.

But now they do in a very powerful way. Surely part of it is Carly Simon’s voice. AI says this…

Carly Simon's voice is known for its warm, husky, and contralto qualities, often described as distinctive and slightly androgynous, giving it a unique, recognizable sound that is both emotional and honest. Her warm tones, combined with a powerful, melancholy delivery, made her one of the quintessential singer-songwriters of the 1970s.

I was thinking the word was husky. Reminds me of someone very special to me.

As I drove yesterday listening to the song, I thought of the tingle associated with seeing someone I love. The song captures that feeling and the associated thoughts so beautifully. And then comes the wonderful refrain of “these are the good old days” — really the opposite of “anticipation” that connotes thinking about the future.

We can never know about the days to come

But we think about them anyway

And I wonder if I'm really with you now

Or just chasin' after some finer day

Anticipation, anticipation

Is makin' me late

Is keepin' me waitin'

And I tell you how easy it feels to be with you

And how right your arms feel around me

But I, I rehearsed those words just late last night

When I was thinkin' about how right tonight might be

Anticipation, anticipation

Is makin' me late

Is keepin' me waitin'

And tomorrow we might not be together

I'm no prophet and I don't know nature's ways

So I'll try and see into your eyes right now

And stay right here 'cause these are the good old days

And stay right here 'cause these are the good old days

(These are the good old days)

(These are the good old days)

(These are the good old days)

(These are the good old days)

What I have written here is woefully inadequate in describing how the lyrics make me feel, the longing it elicits.