On the Road With Danny Concannon 'O4 '05: Houston
"Other Sam Cooke Songs that remind me of you."
Companion Piece: A Change Is Gonna Come
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"I'm in a sad mood tonight—my baby's gone 'dun and left."
Sad Mood- Sam Cooke
THAT'S WHERE IT'S AT
"Tonight…..at the White House." The radio announcer spoke as Danny packed his bag in the hotel room. "The medals of the arts winners were celebrated with a dinner and concert. Among the honorees, posthumously—which was the first time this has happened, was the late great Sam Cooke. One of my favorites, that's for sure—so, in our little tribute, here's a block of some Sam Cooke." The music started soft and low and soulful.
Lights turned way down low.
And music is soft and slow.
With someone you love so.
That's where it's at, yeah.
Your whole world turned upside down.
You're making not a sound. No one else around.
That's where it's at, yeah.
CJ slid past her light switch, bringing a little light into her living room. She threw her bag onto the couch and paused, the moonlight from the window just hitting her eyes. Those eyes, and the way she could look in moonlight, were some of the reasons Danny first fell in love with her. She rolled her coat off her shoulders letting it fall to the chair below. She would find a place for it in the morning when she returned to the room to begin another weekend of reading.
Let me tell
Your heart beatin' fast. You're knowin' that time will pass But a-hopin' that it lasts
Danny listened to the music and he thought of CJ -- what it would be like to kiss her in the moonlight and dance with her to the music. He smiled and let the thought pass. It was hard, but he had to keep going on. He pushed his folded shirt down in the suitcase and reached for his small travel bag.
That's where it's at, oh yeah
That's where it's at, pretty baby
That's where it's at, oh yes it is
That's where it's at, pretty baby
That's where it's at, oh yeah
CJ tilted her head in the mirror, pulled her last earring off her ear, and placed the earring next to its mate on her dresser. She then led her hands to the back of her neck to undo her necklace. "That's where it's at, pretty baby
That's where it's at, I know that's where it's at
That's where it's at, pretty baby
That's where it's at"
Danny reached for a few extra ties and set them into the free space of the suitcase before zipping the bag closed.
Let me tell just one thing
To say it's time to go
and she says "Yes I know"
But stay just one minute more.
CJ sat on her bed and picked up the CD she had been given: Sam Cooke: Portrait of a legend 1951-1964. She opened the CD and walked toward her player.
BRING IT ON HOME
If you ever….. change your mind
About leavin', leavin' me behind
Oh, oh, bring it to me
Bring your sweet lovin'
Bring it on home to me, oh yeah.
CJ listened to the music while Danny sat on his bed and looked up at the ceiling. His radio played and the sounds and the words spoke volumes into his soul.
You know I laughed…. when you left
But now I know I've only hurt myself
Oh, oh, bring it to me
Bring your sweet lovin'
Bring it on home to me, yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)
CJ sat on the bed and lifted her leg up to slip her shoe off. She did the same with the other, leaving a moment to rub her foot before dropping it to the ground. She wandered over toward her window, pulled the curtains aside, and gazed sleepily at the streets below. It had just started to snow a little, flaking really. Still dressed in her purple evening dress, she watched the crystals fall.
I'll give you jewelry, money too
And that's not all, all I'll do for you
Oh, oh, bring it to me
Bring your sweet lovin'
Bring it on home to me, yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)
Yeah.
Danny lifted his laptop bag over his shoulder and picked up the small suitcase in his other hand. And there he was, back on the road.
You know I'll always be your slave
Till I'm dead and buried in my grave
Oh, oh, bring it to me
Bring your sweet lovin'
Bring it on home to me, yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)
The driver helped Danny put his things into the cab. Danny sat and looked out the window as a light snow started to fall. The radio still played the same radio station as they drove off.
I try to treat you right
But you stay out, stay out late at night
Please bring it to me
Bring your sweet lovin'
Bring it on home to me
Yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)
NOTHING CAN CHANGE THIS LOVE
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
The next day CJ sat in her pajamas, curled up in her chair, doing what she did for every weekend since what seemed like the dawn of time: read. She took a sip of her coffee and set the mug down on her coffee table.
If I go a million miles away
I write a letter each and every day
'Cause honey, nothin',
Nothin' can ever change this love
I have for you
Ooh, make me weep,
You can make me cry
See me comin'
And you can pass me by
I know that nothin',
nothin' can ever change this love
I have for you
Oh, you're the apple of my eye
You're cherry pie
Oh you're cake and ice cream
You're sugar and spice
And everything nice
You're the boy of my, my, my dreams
If you wanted to leave me
And roam
When you get back
I'd just say
Welcome home,
I know that nothin',
Nothin' can ever change the love
I have for you
I know that nothin',
Nothin' can ever change the love
I have for you.
Just like a king, I've lost everything
I sit all alone on my throne
I've got my pride deep down inside
I'm yours, I'm yours alone
I try to forget, had no regrets
This love about could always start anew
Just call my name, wooh, I know I'm not ashamed
I'll come running back to you
Danny kept typing on his laptop as the plane coasted through the sky. He had a job to focus on and that was what he would do.
A CHANGE IS GONNA COME
"………….. I've been running ever since. It's been a long, long time coming. But I know a change gonna come. Oh, yes it will. It's been too hard living. But I'm afraid to die. I don't know what's up there beyond the sky." --- Sam Cooke