If you know me or have read this blog, you know how much I love stories. My obsession began at the local library, where as a child I was a storytime regular and knew all of librarians on a first-name basis (I hope some of them are reading this). My love for stories and reading would only continue to grow in the following years, leading me to take the most rigorous English courses available at my schools. Despite my natural aptitude for English, I spent my first two years of college trying to become a scientist and finally silence the book fiend inside my soul. When I came to my senses and changed by major to English (with another in Communication), I found my passion for stories returning to my life.

In addition to reading, I have recently discovered that listening to the soundtracks of Broadway musicals also satisfies my craving for great stories. For me, there is something exciting about getting invested in the lives of characters, in their hopes and dreams, in their successes and failures. These stories lead me to think about life itself in a new way as I consider the “story” that I am writing in my life. I continue to be captivated by the artistry of musicals, specifically in how they marry the artistic forms of acting, song and dance into one cohesive experience.

In general, I am captivated by any form of media that has a strong story. I respect creators who are willing to put the time and effort into their work to develop stories that will resonate deeply with an audience. Beyond songs from musicals, I enjoy listening to any song that tells a great story. This type of music is rare, but when found it can be invaluable. Using another person’s story, songs that tell stories enable us to consider our circumstances from a new perspective.

An example of a song with a great story is Dan Fogelberg’s 1980 hit “Same Old Lang Syne”. The song includes references to both Christmas Eve and the traditional New Year’s Eve anthem “Auld Lang Syne”, making it a unique tune that can be played for the duration of the holiday season. Ever since hearing this song for the first time a couple of years ago, I have been completely in love with it. For me, the story Fogelberg tells in his song is what makes it absolutely captivating.

The song tells the story of two ex-lovers who run into one another at a grocery store on Christmas Eve. They were so shocked and happy to see one another that they bought some beer, sat in the car and talked for the next few hours. In the song, both characters express dissatisfaction in how their lives are unfolding, lamenting decisions they made in the past that they believed would result in happiness. They reminisce about the past while considering the inevitable future, making multiple toasts with their beer. At the end of the song, Fogelberg explains that “the snow turned into rain,” a poetic line that emphasizes the impermanence of the past and uncertainty of the future, which strikes a melancholy chord as the couple departs from the parking lot and goes their separate ways.

Personally, there is nothing in my life that would connect me to the events that are described in this song. I don’t have any ex-lovers and I’m not big on alcohol, but one thing that I love to do is reminisce about the past. I tend to view the past romantically, remembering only the good memories I associate with specific places, people and objects. I find the past comforting because I know how everything unfolded. Sometimes I lament the past, and wish that things could go back to the way they were before. In contrast with the past, I am often fearful about the uncertainty of the future. Yet time marches on, people come and go and memories continue to be made.

I think there is something special about the story Folgelberg tells in his song and the way in which he chooses to tell it. He wrote this song like a novel, including a setting and characters that are relateable. Then, he takes it a step further by including existential themes such as life, death, love, fear and hope. This song might be old, but the story that it tells stands the test of time.

If you want to learn more about the song, check out this New York Times “Letter of Recommendation” article. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/magazine/letter-of-recommendation-dan-fogelberg-same-old-lang-syne.html

Link to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwtkZ7oTv1o