There has been a lot of talk in my little corner of the blogosphere about what is, and what is not, a guilty pleasure when it comes to songs. Well, to quote my Canadian blogging friend Marie, “PAH to guilty pleasures” and this being the case I am going to share the soft rock, mid ’70s delight that is Oh Lori.
Identical twins Billy and Bobby (you couldn’t make it up) Alessi must have been aged 24 when Oh Lori made it to Number 8 in the UK Singles Chart in June 1977. I on the other hand was just 17 and still at school, but smitten. They had the good looks and more importantly the haircuts of those times, and I will always associate this song with wide denim flares, cheesecloth shirts and that last summer of long school holidays, before life started getting that little bit more serious. We’d had all the festivities relating to the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, our Scottish Higher Grade exams were over and the SS Uganda was waiting to whisk myself and my friends off on a very educational (well maybe not so much) school cruise – Anyone else of my generation spend time on that stalwart vessel?
Of course those were pre-YouTube days and I don’t really think I ever saw Alessi perform the song on television back in 1977, it just always popped on the radio that summer – With this in mind I am now realising that the dreamboat Billy (or was it Bobby) who did the singing, was actually a bit effete and “uncool”. Nothing wrong with that at all, but it seems that my rose-coloured spectacles are yet again flawed when it comes to my memories of those days. Despite his uncool demeanour in this clip however, and his slight lisp, the song is still a firm favourite with most people of my generation – whether they admit it or not!
Oh Lori by Alessi:
Sadly I have discovered that the clip originally included in this post no longer exists and has had to be replaced – The original however had one of my favourite ever scenes from a movie.
I’d like to ride my bicycle with you
On the handlebars
You’d laugh and run away
And I’d chase you through the meadow
Yes, Paul Newman and Katharine Ross made an appearance, ridin’ along in the dappled sunlight on that bicycle in Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. Totally appropriate for the lyrics to the song and just makes me love it that little bit more.
So, “What’s It All About?” – For me, maybe it’s about getting on my bike (as per Paul and Katherine) out into the real world a bit more, and spending less time in front of a computer. Think I’ve perhaps got my balance a bit out of kilter of late. Until next time however, don’t even think about feeling guilty about enjoying this song – I know I won’t.
Oh Lori Lyrics
(Song by Billy Alessi/Bobby Alessi)
I’d like to stay in love with you
All summer and after fall
I’ll keep you warm through the winter
Because I’ve noticed one thing
This ain’t no summer fling
I’d like to ride my bicycle with you
On the handlebars
You’d laugh and run away
And I’d chase you through the meadow
Without you I’d die
Let’s never say good-bye
Oh, Lori
You bring the spring, the summer, fall
Ooo and winter
By the season
Oh, Lori (oh, Lori)
You make me feel as though I’ve been born again
Born again
You danced for me in your bare feet
That mellow afternoon
When we made love to each other
And I’m loving you
That’s all I want to do
What's It All About? 