I recently wrote the song lyrics to an upbeat tune called “Corn Pop Baby.” I got the song title from a story that former President Joe Biden has told over the years about a fellow named “Corn Pop.” That name also has special meaning for me, going back almost 60 years.
Joe Biden related this tale about working as a lifeguard at a public pool in Wilmington, Delaware. He said a local tough guy nicknamed “Corn Pop” was causing trouble, and that Biden confronted him for breaking pool rules.
According to Joe, Corn Pop later waited for him outside with a group of thugs, and Biden prepared to defend himself with a chain. Joe Biden said he ultimately apologized for embarrassing Corn Pop, and the confrontation ended without a fight.
I believe this story, except for the apology part. I think Biden was trying to be politically correct here as a politician, because once the chain was put down, and with no other equalizer, this guy and his friends would’ve cleaned Joe Biden’s clock.
My brother had a similar encounter, except this thug was the person having the chain. Greg Lozano was a bully and attempted to terrorize Jim, Bob Malone, and me. In an attempt to take a Daisy BB gun from my brother, also threatening us with his chain, Jim beat the guy nearly senseless with the gun stock.
We never had any problem with Greg Lozano again. In fact, the kid would turn and go the opposite direction when he saw us. You might say my brother “corn popped” him. I now use the words to describe a fictitious dance that seniors do.
“Corn Pop Baby” will never sweep the nation, but the name alone cracks me up, just as my brother physically did to Greg Lozano in Anchorage, Alaska, so many years ago.
I like to write junk... 