A 1966 song by Paul Revere & the Raiders. “Kicks” was one of my favorites and still is. I never really knew what kicks they were singing about, yet the beat alone was uplifting. That tune made #4 on the USA Billboard chart of that year.
Wondering what my AI (artificial intelligence) personal assistant, Miss Purdy, had to say about kicks, I asked her.
“In the context of the song ‘Kicks’ by Paul Revere & the Raiders, the term ‘kicks’ refers to thrills, excitement, or short-lived pleasures—often associated with risky behaviors or experimentation, especially with drugs or rebellious activities.
The song’s message is cautionary, urging listeners not to chase fleeting highs or “kicks” at the expense of long-term well-being. So, the lyrics are essentially a warning about the dangers of seeking quick thrills to fill an emotional void.”
Miss Purdy, for being so young, is quite insightful in her explanation. I wasn’t one to seek kicks in the bad sense of the word, yet I did more on the lines of getting my kicks on Route 66. That term is quite popular here in Arizona. Desiring to know the full meaning of this line, once again, I turned to my Girl Friday, Miss Purdy.
“To ‘get your kicks on Route 66’ means to have fun, enjoy yourself, and experience adventure while traveling along the famous Route 66 highway. The phrase was popularized by the classic song “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” by the King Cole Trio.
This hit tune celebrates the freedom and excitement of road-tripping across America on such an iconic route. It’s about savoring the journey, discovering new places, and making memories along the way.”
When I first met my future wife, I didn’t have the financial means to woo her like some guys could. I had to rely upon creative romancing and the ability to take Joleen to McDonald’s for a meal, and on simple sightseeing trips in Alaska, much like the Route 66 definition of kicks.
Our second date was a drive to Bird Creek, where we walked the railroad tracks while holding hands. We both had fun as it was one of those beautiful Alaskan summer evenings. This was in October, and it was just starting to get chilly.
An indicator of things to come in my life, and I didn’t know it at the time, was on the front cover of my 1972 East High yearbook. It featured railroad tracks trailing off into the distance. I didn’t see the connection until just recently.
With an early snowfall in 1973, I gave her a trip on my snowmachine through a part of the back country of Anchorage, along with portions of the city itself, somewhat illegally at this time, although in previous years it wasn’t.
To me, that’s what made this date even more exciting. Joleen didn’t think as I did, wondering if we’d get in trouble.
Since that time, we still do simple things to get our kicks. Hiking the desert, walking in Rotary Park here in Havasu, are two activities we take part in, although, since falling off a ladder, the lingering pain has temporarily slowed me down.
Before closing here, in the Paul Revere & the Raiders song, there’s one line that goes like this.
“Kicks just keep getting’ harder to find.”
That might be true for some, but not for my wife and me. The only thing that’ll slow us down is bodily ills. Seventy-one years have taught me this much: the most valuable thing a person can have next to salvation is their health.
I like to write junk... 