Thank You to My 3k(!) Followers
A Few Words and a Musical Dedication
I’m not going to pretend that crossing my newest milestone, 3 thousand followers, is no big deal. It’s a BIG DEAL to ME!
I’ve done this whole Medium thing my own way. I’ve read the advice of many over these past 2 1/2 years, taking what made sense and discarding the rest.
I quickly decided against the I’ll-follow-you-so-you-follow-me approach. It didn’t feel authentic to me and what I was trying to achieve here.
Though this might not be true of all of my 3 thousand followers, I know that some percentage of you follow me because you share my love of music or enjoy my dating stories.
I like to think I’m entertaining if nothing else. I subscribe to the Neal Page philosophy of storytelling:
“You know everything is not an anecdote. You have to discriminate. You choose things that are funny or mildly amusing or interesting.” — Neal Page (portrayed by Steve Martin) from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, but if I’m yours, that thrills and delights me!
I went in a lot of directions to find just the right song to dedicate to my followers as a thank you. Eventually I realized I didn’t want to do an entire mixtape; rather, I wanted to hone in on one song. I fought that instinct, but gave in. I know better than to question my musical gut!
Once I landed on the song, I waded through horrible, muted performances that watered down the vigor and the angst of the original. I had hoped to find something unique but was so disappointed by every single cover that I went back to the original by the Indigo Girls.
I had made my final decision when suddenly THIS cover popped up in the YouTube queue.
I’m a fan of quirky, long forgotten the Wonder Stuff from one of my very favorite musical eras (1988–1992), but had never heard their cover. In fact, I was unaware of its existence until today.
With contained optimism, I clicked on the link.
I knew within 5 seconds that I’d found EXACTLY what I wanted.
My ear, my soul knew what I was seeking: passion and determination. I wanted someone to attack the guitar and tear through the lyrics. None of the other covers seemed to understand this song.
It’s not a soft, gentle reflection; rather, it’s about the frustration and desperation to get to the point of the freedom of “closer to fine.”
This isn’t an easy process. It’s about the struggle, the bite, the confusion, the tenacity.
The power of this song is the offsetting raw energy and angst that is ultimately rewarded with being okay. When you take away the bite and replace it with a softness, you’re missing the entire point of the message.
The reason why we LOVE this song is the pained passion that is communicated by Amy Ray and Emily Saliers lyrically and musically.
The stumbles, the mistakes, the missteps. The prayers, the meditation, the vices, the escapes, the tears, the pain. The redemption of past challenges and struggles leads towards peace today. Or at least gets us closer to peace, contentment, and acceptance.
It’s a beautiful message! And I’m so pleased that my patience was rewarded with a new interpretation by the Wonder Stuff that honors the source material.
I thank you for spending your time with me as I’ve navigated writing for the first time in my life. As I’ve shared my musical passion. As I’ve shared my dating lessons and debacles. As I’ve shared little slices of my silly, random life.
Sure, I’ve had some trolls and a few weird/challenging situations here in Mediumland, but mostly it’s been a bright spot in my life. Thank you to my fellow writers, my friends, and my followers!
Until her 40’s, Bonnie’s worst nightmare included writing and sharing personal stories publicly. At her friends’ suggestion, she bemusedly started Bonnie’s Mixed Tape on Medium in 2017. She remains shocked that anyone reads her stories and that P.S. I Love You, the Writing Cooperative, Assemblage, Song Done Wrong, and the Ascent have published her work.
Bonnie loves all types of music, but really, really, really loves the 80s!
Thank you for reading this story
I know you are busy and have lots of ways you could be spending your time. You using your time to read my work means the world to me — my sincerest thanks!
