The Power of Gold

Andrew Gold died June 3rd.

You may not know who Andrew Gold is, but he came from musical pedigree.  His father, Ernest, was an award-winning film composer.  And if you've ever seen the movies "West Side Story", "The King and I", or "My Fair Lady", then you are familiar with his mother's work.  She did the original singing overdubs for Natalie Wood, Deborah Kerr, and Audrey Hepburn in those classics.

No surprise than that Gold became a musician.  And you likely know some of his work.  "Thank You For Being a Friend" was one of the American singer/songwriter's biggest hits, long before it became the theme song for the popular sitcom "The Golden Girls".

But back in 1977 - what a year! - Gold was near the top of the charts with "Lonely Boy", a stirring pop number about a boy who feels neglected by his parents once they welcome his younger sister into the world.
It was a jaunty, piano-based tune typical of the era.  But there is something about that song, even today, over 30 years after hearing it on the AM radio of our discolored station wagon, that still makes the hairs on my arm stand on end.

We have know way of knowing how we will be affected by songs, books, movies.  They can inspire us, move us to act, stir up anger, dare us to dream, as well as so many other emotions.  So comparatively speaking, in the course of a lifetime, think of how many more words we say to each other and the impact they can have.  Words can inspire.  Words can move us.  They can also cut us down.  Words can hurt us.  We go through our days likely not even considering that fact.

One day, not so long ago, I bumped into a former student who I hadn't thought about in years.  After some obligatory catching up, she informed me that I was responsible for her career choice - one that had taken her around the globe and one for which she has achieved great acclaim.  Stunned, I listened as she told me the story of how she was struggling with what to do with her life.  And how I had told her to do something she loved.  Which she happily did.

I do not remember the conversation whatsoever.  It is one of millions that I've had which have subsequently passed into the mist of time.  I have no delusions that most of them were as inspiring as this one turned out.  It is more likely there are a greater number that skew to the negative rather than to the positive.  And that's a shame.  Think of all the conversations we have during one day, one week, one year.  Now, how often do we consider the power of our words and the impact they may have on someone?

I never met Andrew Gold.  But 30 years later, one of his songs still manages to move me, to lift me up, to shake me out of whatever funk I may be in at the time.  Music can have that power.  So can our own words.  And Andrew Gold continues to remind me that what we say (and often how we say it) can have a lasting influence long after we've forgotten what we even said.

R.I.P., "Lonely Boy".  And thank you for being a friend.