Friday Night Videos

One of the most persistent memories I have from childhood--probably spanning several years--was the inescapable presence of Starland Vocal Band on the radio from 1976 on. "Afternoon Delight" was everywhere. You couldn't avoid it if you tried. Rock stations, pop stations, even country & western stations (which, of course, was the only kind of radio we had in Columbus, seeing as how we were progressive enough to boast "Both kinds of music" in grand Blues Brothers tradition). I still find it hard to believe tiny, conservative KULM played this song as much as it did. As a kid, I had no clue whatsoever what the song was about--I only thought the whole "Skyrockets in flight" thing was cool, being nuts for fireworks, never stopping to consider the impossibility of enjoying the visual spectacle during a sunlit afternoon. Now, 35 years older and wiser, I totally get it that the whole "skyrockets" thing is one o' them there metaphors. Deep thinkers, those Starland Vocal Banders.



Or, if you prefer more modern cheese with your 1970s cheese, there's always the Will Ferrel version from the film Anchorman:



Previously on Friday Night Videos... Sheb Wooley.

Now Playing: Billy Joel Songs in the Attic