Gary Radice | + Follow Poet |
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When My Radio Could Sing

The swinging sixties never swung
As much as people said
But for me, the bands
And the songs they sung
Linger on inside my head

I rocked and rolled to Morningtown
On a wagon with one wheel
And followed tracks 
That took me down 
To fields that were surreal

A jungle snake both sang and hissed
When a man climbed on his cloud
Then a windmill turned
In the Autumn mist
And a policeman laughed out loud

In a warm and gentle wonderland
On a train whose whistle blew
A swinging star
Introduced his band
And sang a rainbow too

God only knows when I look back
Why The Miller told his tale
And I can’t explain
Why Grocer Jack
Turned a whiter shade of pale

But I'm thankful for those days back then
Before the years rolled by
Those were the days
In dreams and when
There was spirit in the sky.

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Susan Ashley Date: 8/3/2025 9:10:00 AM Dear Gary, your ingenious poetic pen pays tribute to songs we grew up with in this enchanting poem filled with wonderful rhythm, rhymes and musical references cleverly tucked into the verses. Lovely nostalgia and splendid poetry. Such a joy to read. A fav! Congratulations for your success in Mark's contest. I'm honored to share the podium with you. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 8/10/2025 8:28:00 AM Ah yes! I see it all clearly now. Thank you for the list. Your creativity is truly amazing. Many of the references were apparent to me but some were not and after reviewing your list I admire your clever verse even more! Your poetic pen, does indeed, flow with gold :) Gary Radice Date: 8/3/2025 11:57:00 PM Thanks Susan. Reading it now, six years on, I think I can still remember all the songs referenced. Here goes then: the words 'linger on' from 'Goodbye' by Mary Hopkin. Morningtown by The Seekers. One Wheel On My Wagon by The New Christy Minstrels. Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles.Trust in me - a song sung by the snake in Jungle Book. :) Rolling Stones - Get off of my cloud. A windmill in old Amsterdam - Ronnie Hilton. Puff The Magic Dragon by Peter Paul and Mary. The Laughing Policeman by Charles Penrose.The White Horses by Jackie (Lee) The Runaway Train by Vernon Dalhart. Swinging On A Star by Doris Day. The Beatles - Sgt Pepper. Sing A Rainbow by Anita Harris.God Only Knows - The Beach Boys. A Whiter Shade Of Pale (Miller reference and title) by Procul Harum I Cant Explain - The Who. Grocer Jack (Excerpt from a Teenage Opera) - Keith West. Days - The Kinks. Those Were The Days - Mary Hopkin. In Dreams - Roy Orbison and Spirit In The Sky - Norman Greenbaum. Cheers - Gary

Mark Toney Date: 8/3/2025 12:12:00 AM Gary, welcome back to the track! Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 1 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 2 has already started. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 8/3/2025 12:23:00 AM Thanks Mark. I'm usually a slow starter in your marathon so this has come as a surprise. Here's hoping I don't run out of steam for the rest of the race. :) Cheers - Gary

Vince Suzadail Jr. Date: 7/24/2024 11:25:00 AM This was fabulous. Back when music came from sheer talent. I don't get on here often but this one made my day. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 7/24/2024 12:33:00 PM Thanks Vince. Music is the nearest thing we humans have to a time machine. Cheers - Gary

Paulette Calasibetta Date: 3/15/2024 11:56:00 AM Kudos! A wonderful trip down memory lane, all the songs in our hearts and in our heads....how could we forget? Those were the 'good ole days' for sure. Paulette Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 3/16/2024 1:39:00 AM Thank you Paulette! There are around 20 songs from the past referenced here and I remember them all as if it were yesterday! :) Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne Date: 8/28/2022 6:05:00 PM What a grand trip down memory lane! I especially like the way record titles weave into your tribute of vintage songs. Such an enjoyable read + walk back to youth, slipped into the past. Sincerest regards, Brian Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 8/30/2022 12:43:00 PM These songs were the soundtrack to my childhood :) Thanks so much for your comments Brian. Cheers - Gary

Brian Strand Date: 10/7/2021 3:28:00 AM They dont write songs that have beat Gary,anymore.. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 10/7/2021 6:19:00 AM Well, if they do Brian perhaps I'm hard of hearing.

Brian Strand Date: 9/14/2021 3:19:00 AM Sory,Not too many,Gary,only radio in my childhood (a crystal set my first personal pocket device) Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 9/14/2021 3:56:00 AM There is something about radio that I love. The poem was just as much a homage to radio as it was to the music of my childhood. They went hand in hand. Love the idea of a pocket sized crystal set. Our radio circa late 60s was a massive thing with a big, big dial. :) Cheers - Gary

Greg Gaul Date: 3/23/2021 6:58:00 PM This resounds in its intricate rhyming like a rock and roll classic itself. Simply loved it. Congratulations. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 3/24/2021 1:13:00 AM Thank you Greg for your great comments - so glad you loved it. I've always said that music is the nearest thing we humans have to a time machine. It has the ability to transport people back in time doesn't it? Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman Date: 3/22/2021 11:33:00 AM Great job, Gary. I hear the songs singing in my mind and they take me on a sentimental journey! Nice weaving of lyrics and themes. Congrats, kudos and a high five on your win! Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 3/22/2021 12:11:00 PM High five back to you Sam and thanks so much. Whenever I write about the music of my childhood I suddenly feel old, yet I'm guessing everyone's favourite music is the music they grew up with. I need to take a day to catch up on my reading of PS poems. Thanks as always Sam. Cheers - Gary

Line Gauthier Date: 4/19/2020 9:30:00 PM Music is so very important to us in our teens. Great job at immortalizing your most significant songs, Gary. Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 5/12/2020 10:10:00 AM Thank you Line! I found myself singing them as I wrote this! :)

Sonia Walker Date: 2/5/2020 7:21:00 AM Gary, congratulations on a winning entry. A clever poem. ~ Sonia Login to Reply Gary Radice Date: 2/6/2020 5:21:00 AM Thank you Sonia! Most of the music I listened to on the radio back then was from a programme called 'Junior Choice' ..The songs have stayed with me. :)