BOBBY GOLDSBORO - "The Straight Life" (1968)

[pat2004tbird]

OMG I REMEMBER THIS. I LOVE THIS SONG. HE LOOKS LIKE THE GUITAR TEACHER I HAD BACK 40 YEARS AGO. I FOUND THAT GUITAR TEACHER AGAIN. I LOVE HIM. WE'RE A COUPLE NOW. BACK THEN COULDN'T DO IT; I WAS 15; HE WAS 20. NOW IT'S OK. GLAD I FOUND HIM. GLAD I FOUND THIS SONG TOO. NICE POST THANKS!!!

[11weinstein]

for everyone looking for AM MOR format, google WGPA Bethlehem. they do have a presence on the world wide web. They are a 500 watt daytime only broadcast station in Bethlehem PA. Privately owned. they may have what some are looking for in good old-fashioned AM terrestrial radio...

[wfarrar69]

#36pop,1968.like this one since i found a cracked 45 of this song in 1990.

[crazybobdj]

Ken Garland? 610 WIP now Philly Sports (since 1987)

[zyxquark]

this is a good representation of the kind of quality song and performance the music business can't come up with any more. my question is...why?

[thespeez]

@zyxquark ..because many if not most of the young people of today aren't interested!

[zyxquark]

@thespeez I don't really buy that. I think the advent of m-tv and video encouraged the music business to promote the careers of people whose main characteristic is being pretty, looking like a model or soap opera star, and the actual music people, people genetically gifted with outstanding musical talent, aren't given the career opportunities. the result is mediocre popular music, lousy songs, mediocre all the way. just my opinion. I also think "rap" is more like the hoola hoop, just a fad.

[thespeez]

@zyxquark M-TV DID have a major influence on the course of music, no doubt. But much of what happened did so because the youth were pushing the industry in that direction; just like they did in times past. If you look at the musical trends over the last sixty years or so, you'll see that this is the case. The only musical genre that could be considered a fad was disco. Even it has made a mild comeback. With rap having been around for about three decades, I wouldn't consider it a fad. (to p2)

[thespeez]

(p2) it's important to remember that during the 1960s and early '70s, many of the record labels were getting somewhat desperate to get rid of artists from the old days; such as Bennett, Como, Mancini, Mitch Miller, Andy Williams and the like. Rock and soul had taken over and the labels considered these artists 'has-beens'. Goldsboro's popularity was pretty much gone after 1973.

[zyxquark]

@thespeez then why are so many teenagers and twenty-somethings obsessed with the beatles, the stones, the doors, credence etc. I talk to them on youtube all the time

[thespeez]

@zyxquark The artists you mention have a certain level of respect and 'coolness' about them. I remember as a teen in the early '80s how many of my peers would like not only those artists; but Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Who and other classic rock artists. But don't forget, we're talking rock 'n' roll here, not 'sappy' pop! Goldsboro fits the latter category. It was considered about as cool to admit you liked Goldsboro in my day as, say, Barry Manilow or Barbra Streisand. (go to p2, Please)

[thespeez]

(p2) I will admit; I'm not a big Goldsboro fan myself (a song like "Honey" does nothing for me). With that said, there are 3 other songs besides this one he did that I liked [those being "Watching Scotty Grow"; "It's Too Late" and every teen boy's ultimate fantasy "Summer (The First Time)"].

[MrTrashcan1]

@thespeez I agree with what you've been saying, but the hasbeens had replacements, like for example, Manilow, Judy Collins, Carol King, etc. When I was young, they were considered uncool. There will always be a segment of every age group that likes raucous or wild music, and one which likes tame, nice sounding music--that which you would call sappy. And that segment often remains quiet about it. I was one who didn't care what others thought. I listened to what I liked.

[zyxquark]

Killer song!

[goodnews150]

...thank you for sharing...brings back great memories!

[714AD]

He was a man of a hundred faces but had a voice second to none! He was flat out great and it all started with his hit "Little Things" in the mid 60's and it went all the way to other major hits & his own TV show in the 70's. That's one great talent.

[newalm]

Glen Campbell also sang this song. Bobby and Glen sound exactly alike when singing "The Straight Life"!

[roughman998]

@newalm Geez! I THOUGHT Glen Campbell sang this song! Found this verson in iTunes, but not Glen's...

[newalm]

@roughman998 I have the old LP that Glen Campbell sang "The Straight Life".

[roughman998]

@newalm I finally found it on iTunes. Had to look, though. It's on his "Witchita Lineman" LP.

[wanative57]

I was 10 or 11 when this came out. Always liked it. It really rings true, 40+ years later. It's nice to consider all the possibilities out there, but there's a lot to be said for the straight life, especially if you find the right person to share it with.

[electronmusicjunkie]

Probably listening to Ken Garland who did mornings for many years on WIP before they went all sports and Ken moved down the dial to 950 WPEN til he retired in the Fall of 92 before passing on in Feb. of 93. I recall only hearing this get played on SUNNY 104 when they were an Easy Country station in the Fall of 78.

[yedon68]

....and that is what I did in 1969.....!

[rexowens1000]

A wonderful song!, I was 21 when this came out, It's really nice to here it again, thanks for the memories MrTrascan1, I hope you post some more of my favorites!

[oldiesman1000]

For those who like these kinds of songs. There is a internet radio site. It plays only 50's and 60's music. It has a play list of 4,000 songs. you can find it at richbroradiodotcom

[oldiesman1000]

to all who like these songs there already is a internet radio station that will play this and other great songs. They play only 50's and 60's music. they something like 4,000 song in their play list. It is Richbroradiodotcom

[MsJune54]

always loved Bobby Goldsboro, a great singer who made some of the best pop songs!! thanks so much for posting this!!!

[alhoward1960]

A real feel-good song. Bobby Goldsboro was awesome. I'll bet there are a lot of people out there who don't know that he had a TV show for a while.

[TheVigilantOne1111]

this little ditty popped up years ago on a since-defunct local oldies station and I fell in love with it ever since.

[doigen]

wow I had totally forgoten this song ..yet Ive always sung this to my self

[davesharonpoky]

Anyone know if he's on any of Roy Orbison's recordings when Bobby used to be one of the Candymen?

[lonelyhup]

I remember hearing this song when I lived in South Carolina. I was 11, and just started to really pay attention to the words of songs......I thought this was a cool song, or should I say ' groovy' .....LOL !!

Love ya BOBBY G.

[1bobbygoldsborofan]

As you can see from my screen name, I believe that this man can do no wrong. Thank you for posting him and keeping his music alive!!!

[KatradioNY]

Mr Trashcan...can you please start a radio station? It would be the perfect time.

We need songs like this...now!

Thanks for posting!

[75surfgirl]

Wow--once again --It's breakfast ,getting

ready for school--and WIP on the radio and the smell of coffee brewing. Great memories--you always make me cry.

I miss my parents so much. Thank you!!

[MrTrashcan1]

Thank you, sweetheart. BTW, I've got some of the stuff on your list coming up. :-)

[thespeez]

@MrTrashcan1 With the powers-that-be having moved WIP's sports format to FM, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for the AM to go to a MOR format appropriate for today. There's a station in Albany NY which is doing that (WROW) and they're doing well with it.

[MrTrashcan1]

@thespeez There was an independent station here for the last few years playing nostalgia, WHAT 1340, but their 60s/70s playlist was feeble with too much swing/big band. They don't really remember the MOR format or the original songs. And these stations don't think they can sustain a baby boomer audience alone--so they include their parents and grandparents and end up alienating everyone.  Also WIP is now owned by CBS, so the likelihood of MOR on the AM station is probably zilch.

[thespeez]

@MrTrashcan1 With WHAT's limited range and with lack of an 'inner city' appeal, it's little surprise that they failed. If a station such as either 1540 or 950 was to pick up such a format, they'd have a fighting chance (and I mean FIGHTING). I just figured with 'ROW having relative success with their 18 m/o MOR format that MAYBE there'd be a chance that other stations in different markets might get a clue. IMNSHO I just thought 610 would've been great.

[DancingSpiderman]

@75surfgirl Yes, BG was one of those singers that were a part of the soundtrack of my pre-teen years, waking up, the smell of breakfast... aww, what a memory you've brought back !

[iluvleefaa]

@75surfgirl WOW! I HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SONG ON WIP RADIO. MY MOTHER USED TO HAVE IT ON ALL THE TIME, AND ESPECIALLY LIKED KEN GARLAND. SHE ALSO TOOK US TO THE OLD CHANNEL 17 STODIO AND GOT US ON THE WEE WILLIE WEBER SHOW. I'M GOING TO TRY AND GET COPIES OF THE OLD BROADCASTS. THANKS FOR THE MEMORY!

[roughman998]

@75surfgirl What a touching post!

[whammy0000]

Love this song,thanks for posting.