I Always Believed in Music

Me and my big brother, 1970

“You live your life in the songs you hear on the rock and roll radio. And when a young girl doesn’t have any friends, that’s a really nice place to go.” –Angie Baby (O’Day, 1974)





Chris and I arrived in Troy, NY last night just in time to get a table for a nice dinner at Daisy Baker’s across the street from the Troy Music Hall before the concert. I was happy to have made it. I could relax and breathe in the relief of being on the eve of a well-earned four-day weekend. As we ate, my husband asked me if I was excited about the show. Yes, I was, but it’s more than that I told him. I feel like we are here to see someone really important. I knew words couldn’t express it, I felt a lump in my throat as I tried to speak of it. Yes, anyway I told him- I am thrilled. I didn’t think she’d ever sing again.

 Helen Reddy came out of retirement this year and we were about to see her “Intimate Evening With” show right across the street. I knew she would still be good 40 years after her string of hit songs dominated the radio waves of my childhood in the early seventies. I should say- I knew, but I didn’t know. I didn’t know Helen would be so enchanting that I would completely lose myself in that theatre seat. This was special. This was one of those rare experiences when theatre magically made time stand still as performance transcended reality.

 Toward the end of the evening, Helen said she would like to share a poem that she wrote 40 years ago, I snapped to the reality that the show would be coming to an end. She meaningfully recited I Am Woman in its entirety, before singing it. “Yes, I am Wise, but it’s Wisdom born of pain. Yes, I paid the price, but look how much I’ve Gained. If I have to, I can do anything. I am strong. I am invincible. I am Woman.” (Reddy, 1971) 

Vegas, 1977, No I didn't see the show.

I thought about what I’d tried to express to my husband over dinner earlier. Helen Reddy’s importance was never all about I Am Woman for me. I know it’s what she’s remembered for, but I loved all of her songs. One of my earliest memories in life is carrying the “Free and Easy” album up to the register at K-Mart in Des Moines in 1974. I already had some of her other records at home that I’d play on my little blue record player, but this was exciting! I discovered a new Helen Reddy record in K-Mart! My mom said yes and she bought it for me! I then brought it into McDonald’s with me and stared at her illustrated portrait on the cover where we went for lunch across the street that day.

I loved all of her records when I was kid. First, it was records, then I switched over to buying music on 8-track format after my dad convinced me they’d be better… eventually cd’s, now something else… -So much for the ways of the world making sense, let alone human emotion. I’m just glad Helen Reddy is singing again! Maybe it never made sense that I loved her. Maybe it never made sense that she was important to me. Maybe it doesn’t make sense that every song made me cry last night, but I’m so glad they did and I’m so grateful that I do.

 Angie Baby, you’re a special lady. Living in a world of make-believe… Well, maybe… Well, maybe… (O’Day, 1974)