ASK ROD Click
on the Stanyan logo to subscribe to the McKuen Mailing List 
|
|
A Thought for Today
If you want to be a swimmer, get in the
water.
OLD FRIENDS
AND NEW
Sunday afternoon and evening
is a pretty good time to sit down and answer mail and it certainly beats
watching the war on TV. Today’s mail is mostly from folks new to this
Website but not necessarily new to my work. It’s nice to know that in
addition to those of you who visit here on a steady basis, A Safe Place to
Land continues to receive new hits every day.
MEMORIES
Rod:
Wish I could comment on the loyal fan I have been all these years, but for
some reason, your books faded--like so many things in my life from the
70's and on.
This morning, while embraced in the arms of a man I've been with half my
life+...tender remembrance of "Listen to the Warm" crossed my mind. It had
been years since I saw that book. How many times did I Xerox little
excerpts and attach them to love letters or greeting cards back in those
days!! As soon as I had quiet time, went looking for you on the PC. "Is he
still alive? Is he still writing? Did he ever find his father? It took
only moments to get the spelling of your name & learn you are very much
alive and well!
Your appearances seem to be mostly in California? Wish I had known when I
lived in Downey from '80 to '86. Your words would have been a calm in my
storm of life then.
Just wanted you to know what delicious moments you filled me and so many
of my friends with in late 60's and 70's. Your heart seemed like
mine---like so many. That simple and beautiful way you portrayed what we
all felt. Guess you are still doing that. It wasn't you who stopped, but
me.
So glad for my reconnect to the sweeter things in life....Thanks for still
being there. It is doubtful you would appear in my area. Who performs in
Northern VA, or Washington, DC, particularly after this dreadful tragedy
of the 11th? On the other hand, how healing for us to hear kind and lovely
words like yours! Your old friend, Cookie (Karen Deitrick)
Dear Cookie, I don’t have any concerts scheduled for the Virginia/DC area
at the moment but I can assure you that if I did, no terrorist threats
could keep me from fulfilling the engagements. People need entertainment
during times of stress and since I’m stressed out too because of 9/11 I
need to keep working. Friday I start rehearsals for the November 10th Tap
Your Troubles Away Concert and I haven’t heard a word about any
cancellations from the more than thirty artists expected to participate in
it.
For me to perform in your area, it only takes an invitation from a local
concert promoter.
Thanks for the thoughtful words; we do back a long time don’t we? Welcome
to A Safe Place to Land and I hope you’ll consider it a second home. I’m
sorry about the horrors that happened so close to where you live but you
must know that all Americans and people from all over the world grieve
with you. I hope the actions we’re engaged in now will help prevent
something like 9/11 happening again, anywhere. Affectionately, Rod
IF YOU GO AWAY IN SPANISH
Is there
a translation of your lyrics of song "if you go away" in Spanish? Has any
Spanish singer recorded it? Thank you very much. Lourdes MacMaster.
Dear Lourdes: “If You Go Away” does have a Spanish lyric and it has been
recorded by many artists including Lucio Gatica and Matt Monroe. A few
years ago Julio Iglesias recorded it in English and if I’m not mistaken
he’s also covered it in Spanish. All the best, Rod
HIT ‘EM IN THE HEAD WITH LOVE
I am a
Quaker and struggling with our nations plan for addressing terrorism. I
have been stirring in my sleep tonight and your old poem about "hit them
in the head with love" came to me. Can't find any such phrase in the
search - can you help? Russanne
Dear Russane, “Hit ‘Em in the Head With Love” isn’t a poem but the lyric
to a song from my album “New Ballads,” released in the 1970’s. Here are
the words:
Hit ‘Em in the Head With Love
Some towns have so many islands
you need a boat to go from block to block
and since the sand goes on getting deeper
I’m building my home upon a rock.
And the next time somebody comes along
and knocks me down I’m gonna get up
and hit ‘em in the head with love.
I know some people who ain’t much for action
they’d rather sit around and merely talk.
But talk is cheap the days are gettin’ shorter
so I’m buildin’ my home upon a rock.
And the next time somebody comes along
and knocks me down I’m gonna get up
and hit ‘em in the head with love.
I got a bed full of feathers
a hole or two in nearly every sock.
But I don’t owe nobody nothin’
so I’m building my home upon a rock.
And the next time somebody comes along
and knocks me down I’m gonna get up
and hit ‘em in the head with love.
I’m crazy for crossword puzzles
so I got my dictionary out of hock
and since the nights are gettin’ longer and longer
I buildin’ my home upon a rock.
And the next time somebody comes along
to knock me down I’m gonna get up
and hit ‘em in the head with love.
Words & music by Rod McKuen © 1969,
1970 by Rod McKuen & Editions Chanson
Incidentally both the “New Ballads” & “The Beautiful Strangers” albums
will be released on a single CD just after the 1st of the year. Thanks for
requesting the lyrics. Cheers, Rod
MEG’S MEMORIES
Dear Mr.
McKuen, I just discovered your website - what a pleasure to view. I just
wanted to thank you for all the wonderful prose you've written over the
years. I am 41 and when I was a sophomore in high school (1976) my friends
and I discovered you! Your poems and stories helped get us through
heartbreaks, familial problems and also added to our teenage joy. We
especially enjoyed "Listen to the Warm", "Come to me in Silence" and
"Celebrations of the Heart." We used to walk around quoting you verbatim
and our many letters to each other invariably contained a quote from you
as well. We all felt kinship with "Some Traveling Music" and thought it
belonged to each of us on some level - "How can you say something new
about being alone?...." What bliss to read!
Thank you for sharing so much with so many. I wish you continued good
health and much happiness. Sincerely, Meg Ulrich, San Diego, CA
Dear Meg: Glad I was there for you and just as happy that you have always
been here for me. I can’t imagine getting a nicer wish from anybody than
“continued good health and much happiness.” The very same to you. Luv, Rod
LONG LOST FRIEND
Hello.
This is about twenty years to late as the last time I wrote to you, you
signed a poem for me and sent it back. I have since divorced and now find
myself in a new relationship and I have found my way back to something
familiar to me. I have looked for his books everywhere. Where are they?
They say familiarity breeds content and I am very content and finally
happy in this new life of mine and want to share your works with my
friend. Do you know or have you ever worked with Charles Lloyd? Are you
going to be anywhere within Colorado soon. So many questions. Thanks for
any info you can give. A long time fan, Chris
Dear Chris: Nice to be in touch again and here are some answers to your
questions. No plans at the moment for a Colorado concert but as soon as
one is scheduled dates and information will be published here first.
I haven’t worked with Charles Lloyd and while the name sounds familiar I’m
not quite sure who he is.
As far as books go, the best selection of my work can be ordered from
Stanyan By Mail. From time to time used copies of books and recordings can
be found at auction on line. I hope these answers help.
I appreciate your thoughtful words, Chris and welcome back. Warmly, Rod
CANADA: A PAT ON THE BACK
Hi Rod;
The last two weeks have been so very difficult for those of us who value
human life and the liberty that North America represents. As a Canadian I
feel just as violated and attacked as Americans feel. I was blessed that
none of the people I know, who frequently travel to the U.S., were victims
of the horrific events that took place on September 11th. I, just as all
of your country, lived in fear and terror as I waited to learn the fate of
individuals I love.
This was not an attack on just a country or a government. It was an attack
on the world. Count the number of nations that lost family, friends and
loved ones in the attacks and one must realize that the entire world and
everything that is represented by both the United States and Canada is
being attacked.
I have turned, so much, to your music; to your poetry and to your website.
All of these have helped me to grieve, to process information and to
continue to believe in the world that I so greatly love.
I believe that no individual should ever be labeled by the actions of
another nor should any nationality be labeled by the actions of a few. I
once attended a party where a very mouthy man attacked the entire black
race for the behaviors of a few. I asked him how it felt to be a serial
killer. He was highly offended by my question and began to become as
offensive to me as my remark had been to him. I pointed out that, almost
without exception, known serial killers are white males between the ages
of 25 and 34 and that he fell right in the middle of this group. Based on
his conclusion that all black men were pimps, drug dealers or murderers I
felt that it was only appropriate that he have to answer the question
related to white serial killers.. I'll tell you, it sure stopped
conversation dead and it certainly left a few people thinking a little
more carefully about what they were thinking and saying.
Rod, I grew up as a figure skater. The greatest compliment that I can give
to a music/song writer is that the music is not something I simply hear;
it becomes a part of my soul and exits me through my pores. When that
happens, and only when that happens, I feel the music in my feet and every
other part of my body and I become able to visualize the music set to
steps on ice. I listen to your music and my world stops. It becomes the
entire center of my universe and I always feel an intense emptiness when a
tape or CD ends.
Your books have always provided me with a connection to my inner soul and
for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You help me to reach
myself and to understand who I am and what I feel and need. Perhaps this
comes as a result of the years that I, too, have spent fighting
depression. Five years ago, after becoming totally incapable of
functioning, I finally agreed to medication. What I discovered after the
medication fully kicked in was that I had spent almost all of my adult
life trying to 'pull up my socks' and 'get it together' and that it wasn't
that I was failing to do what I had to do, it was that I was ill. Now I
live my life and I look forward to each day and your music and your poetry
are a part of that.
I will be in New York in 2003. I've already booked the time off from work.
It isn't that I just want to be there. I need to be there. I need, so very
much, to have the opportunity to shake your hand and to tell you, in
person, the profound impact that you have had on my life. You make me
laugh, cry, search for the truth in you and, most importantly, myself help
me to give to others.
In the last two weeks, on my way to CNN, it is you I have turned to. To me
you represent America. Your passion for your nation is clear and obvious
and, at the same time, it is non-violent. What many may not understand,
both in the United States and in Canada, is that whatever happens to the
U.S., also happens to us. The nature or our open boarder, the immense
amount of trade that we share, all of this serves to unite us as one.
Canada grieves just as America does. We have lost citizens who were
victims of the attacks. More importantly, we share the same basic values
and beliefs. We may not implement things in the same manner but our values
are the same. We believe in the freedom of worship and the rights of any
individual to speak and be heard. We believe in freedom of the press and
the right to have an unpopular opinion. We believe in protecting those who
need our protection. Sometimes, in following those values, mistakes are
made. Some of the terrorists may have obtained access to the U.S. through
our county. Many more obtained access through legal means within the U.S.
I wish you could visit here right now and speak to the people. We, as a
nation, separate of politics and media, grieve and fear and share in the
pain and the loss. My ability to put the depth of Canadian feelings into
words only shows that I do not have the skills to convey the depth of
feeling and love that comes from all Canadians at this time.
God bless you Rod, for the words you have shared and for the love you have
conveyed. Thank you. With love Wendy Ryan
Dear Wendy, Over the years many people have thought that I was or am
Canadian. As much as I love my own country I’ve always taken the Canadian
reference as a great compliment.
There is not a lot of difference in the people of our two countries and
the fact that we get along so well has more to do with that than the fact
that we share a border and a continent. Thank God for the Canadian people,
in times like these America needs all the friends we can get.
We are a strong and resilient nation but we share the same fears and
insecurities as peace loving people everywhere. It’s heartening to see my
people come together in such a patriotic fashion and even nicer to receive
letters of support from around the world.
I loved your rejoiner to the bigot at the party. I wonder if we’ll ever
realize that our differences are what make us strong as nations and as
citizens of the world. And that is, of course, our differences as
individuals not as groups.
My love to you Wendy, and to all your fellow Canadians. Rod
THE FINAL WORD
"Luge
strategy? Lie flat and try not to die." -Carmen Boyle, Olympic Luge Gold
Medal winner.
Details of Rod's next
appearance can be obtained by following the link below.
"Tap
Your Troubles Away" - the music of Jerry Herman
|
