Naperville THOUGHTS

A song I wrote in the late 1970s about growing up in my small hometown of Naperville Illinois. Inspired by ROOTS (the book) and recorded in both 1980 and again in the mid 1990s, I perform guitars and vocals...this is the latter version. c. 1977, 1980, 1998

Lyrics:

I see myself when I lived back in Naperville Illinois
And I remember there that growing up held a certain kind of joy
My life in all its suits starts with my Naper roots
And I bear the fruits of those Naper roots
And I'm wondering, when can I go home?

Hot summers there and cold winters there and all seasons in between
I'd walk and I'd love to stare all day at a leafy greenery scene
My life in all its suits still has my Naper roots
And I still bear the fruits of those Naper roots
And I'm wondering when can I go home?

And it wasn't so long ago
That I had myself a real home...

And even now as I walk along these Northern California streets
The smell of flowers in the warm evening air reminds me
Of a childhood young and sweet
My life's in off-shoots of my Naper roots
And memories time has bruised
And roads as yet unused
And I'm wondering, when can I go home?
And I'm wondering, when can I come home?

[Good Lord, after typing this all out I see I used the word And as if I were being paid ten bucks each time!]

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Chuck Gauger Naperville
• slideshow

[TheWidijaz]

I WISH I had a shot of old Andy's Popcorn shack, it was next to my dad's sheet metal shop (Gauger & Brucher)... Thanks for the comments.

[ariecrown]

This is so awesome!! Im a little confused though. Is this Uncle Rays brother Chuck playing in this band? Well it is so awesome I can't tell you. Naperville the place where being a kid was the greatest moment in time. Been to every place in this video more than once. What a trip down memory Lane... I have been back quite a few times but there is nothing that comes close this this trip. Thanks for the memories.

[TheWidijaz]

@ariecrown Hi arie! Well, if Ray and Charlie were your uncles then I am your cousin! :) Chuck was my dad, I am Chuck Jr. And yes, that is me, fwiw. :) Which family member are you?

[TheWidijaz]

Yes, I was quite attached to the little town, though when I moved in 1969 I was 17 and ready to see the Bay Area, where a lot was happening (or so I thought)...it is hard to recognize the old place now, but that is just the way life is I guess....the saplings in my old neighborhood are all middleaged or old trees now, very odd sight indeed! Thanks for the kind words, I am very glad if I spurred any good memories!

[mikekrum90]

Loved This. I too am a Naperville native. Could i possibly get an MP3 or AIFF file of this song. Email me mikekrumlauf@gmail.com Thanks :)

[629sunset]

Nice stuff. I lived in Naperville from 1956-1978, age 1-22, and these images really bring up a lot of good memories - The Beach, Naper Theater, downtown.. (sniff..) Where's Andy Stoos Popcorn? :) What a great town to have lived in. Thanks for this!

[ljlareau]

Awesome! So great to see my old stomping grounds! Especially "The Beach"! Great memories, and so privileged to grow up in Naperville 1968-1985. Married in Century Memorial Chapel in 1985 (thanks for including that!).

[scstar771]

Brings back so many great memories. I lived in Naperville from 1949 til 1973, and still visiit occasionally but hardly recognize it as the same town. Liked it better when it was small, country and we knew everyone.

[sulrich60]

Loved this! It brought back many wonderful memories of the town and childhood I loved so much. It was the best!

Susan (Mueller) Ulrich

[fleckie819]

Thanks for this! I grew up in Naperville in the 70's, but had to move away when my parents did in 1980. It was great to see all the pictures of memories gone by. Loved seeing the corner pharmacy and old movie theater.