My freshman year of high school. Everybody knew and loved the song. We bought the album because, back then, you bought whole albums to listen to one song. And it was such a catchy tune, energizing, fun!
It appropriately reached number one on the Billboard charts and remained for six weeks. It went on to be number one on Billboard's 1979 top pop singles year-end chart. Remember?
My Sharona, the debut single from The Knack.
The novel I'm currently reading makes a teeny reference to "My Sharona", and I learned something new.
The novel is "My Dark Vanessa". Heard of it? Read it? It came out last year and tells the story of an inappropriate relationship between a 15-year-old girl and her high school English teacher.
Told from the student's point of view, who is currently in her early 30's, via flashbacks and her current life, it's obviously disturbing. I want to shake some sense into her 15-year-old self as well as her early 30's self.
But then, there'd be no book...
Anyway, during one scene, she's in the car with her parents who are streaming some of their fave tunes, one of which is "My Sharona". She finds it amusing that her father is be-bopping along to the catchy song, unknowing of its origin and also unknowing of the nasty stuff going on between her and her teacher.
"My Sharona" was written by Doug Fieger, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of The Knack who, "instantly fell in love" with Sharona Alperin when he first met her. He was 26 and in a relationship, she was 17 and had a boyfriend. He apparently cranked out the song in about 15 minutes. And yes, that's the real-life - braless and chilly? - Sharona in the iconic image of her holding the album.
The novel points out the lyrics:
Never gonna stop, give it up.
Such a dirty mind.
Always get it up for the touch
Of the younger kind...
Okay, so 9 years age difference doesn't seem so bad if it's say, 56 and 47, or even 36 and 27. But 26 and 17? Hmmm. And actually, Doug Fierger and Sharona Alperin went on to be a couple for about 4 years and were engaged for a time before splitting up. (I learned this stuff when I dug deeper after the book reference).
I guess I never paid close attention to those lyrics, or at least those coupla lines. I heard that Fieger later stated in an interview that he wrote My Sharona from the point of view of a 14-year-old boy, but seems he was trying to cover his butt, given that reference to "...the younger kind".
Not gonna lie, though. I still like the song.
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Linking up this week with Mama Kat for the prompt:
1. Write about something new you learned recently.
10 comments:
OH man1 My Sharona- turn it up , you won't be sorry! (love bites) There has not been a song like that since , Get UP!
"I had never met a girl like her - ever," he told the Associated Press in a 1994 interview. "She induced madness. She was a very powerful presence. She had an insouciance that wouldn't quit. She was very self-assured. ... She also had an overpowering scent, and it drove me crazy."
I wonder if any mother ever named her baby girl
Sharona after that?---
There are nine years between us here at this homestead and sometimes it seems like we are from different planets.
Never cared for the song and I think now I don't wish to. Wow, what a history lesson. Thx.
Linda Sue, now that you mention it, I've never heard of anyone else named Sharona, but they're probably out there?
Your man robbin' the cradle!
Peggy, was news to me too!
I seldom listen to the words of songs unless it's the main tagline like, Myyyy Sharona! I usually don't want to know what problems they're singing about anyway. :) I'm always listening for a good guitar riff, like My Sharona.
Mike, yes, a catchy riff for My Sharona. And a most excellent solo. Lyrics? Uhm...
m- m- m- myyy Corona. (Works for the beer OR the virus!!)
Was never overly impressed with that song overall and even now, I can't recall the guitar solo. But it's in the Classic Rock side of things now, so maybe it'll pop up on my regular radio station.
Brian, during a pandemic, it's good to have a good stash of beer.
I had not heard the song in many many years, so had to give it a listen after seeing the reference in the book. I wonder if it makes a Classic Rock lineup?
Oh my gosh, I never really dug into the lyrics on that one either. That's so interesting! And I'll have to add that book to my list. Sounds very inappropriate and therefore meets my standards. ;)
I was just discussing that song with my sister! I remember getting really caught up in the craze and bought the 45 record. I told my sister (recently) that the lyrics never sunk in for me back then. She laughed and said, "Mom HATED that record!"
And yet ... Mom let me play it. Over and over. Hmmm.
Tee, I'm kinda glad our kids grew up in the age of earbuds. Our poor parents...
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