This is dating me, but I used to watch the show Good Times. It’s a comedy-drama, created by Norman Lear, about a poor family living in the projects of New York.
I remember the opening credits song as happy one, upbeat and peppy. I have come to realize that I didn’t actually know the lyrics. Coincidentally, I just saw them and they made my eyes pop open. Here they are:
Good Times.
Any time you meet a payment.
Good Times.
Any time you need a friend.
Good Times.
Any time you’re out from under.
Not getting hassled, not getting hustled.
Keepin’ your head above water,
Making a wave when you can.
Temporary lay offs.
Good Times.
Easy credit rip offs.
Good Times.
Scratchin’ and survivin’.
Good Times.
Hangin’ in and jivin’
Good Times.
Ain’t we lucky we got ’em
Good Times.
[Closing Theme]
Mmmmmm
Just lookin’ out of the window
Watchin’ the asphalt grow
Thinkin’ how it all looks hand-me-down
Good Times, yeah, yeah Good Times
Keepin’ your head above water
Makin’ a wave when you can
Temporary lay offs
Good Times
Ain’t we lucky we got ’em
Good Times
This is pretty distressing to me now. I can’t believe I never noticed it as a kid. “Watching the asphalt grow” – that is rough. I think maybe I was just too young to know what was happening.
Whatya think?