"Back when gas was thirty cents a gallon/ love was only sixty cents away.”
One of my favorite country music singer/songwriters, Country Music Hall of Fame member, is Tom T. Hall.
Today he is pretty much retired. He still does a bit of writing but not much performing. Since moving to Tennessee in late 2002, I have had the good fortune to sit and talk with him on occasion. I played golf with him and Ralph Emery once; it was quite a trip around the golf course.
This past week I was playing some of his old records and a song, never a hit, caught my attention. I am old enough to remember when gas was thirty cents a gallon; in fact I can remember when it was fifteen cents a gallon. But the title of the song made me think of times when love and a date was as simple as two cokes and a serving of french fries.
I can remember cold winter nights in Indiana when a date took place at such establishments as The Trianon, Henri’s, O’Day’s, The Toasty Shop, the Terrace Inn; you fill in your own blank. Some good times, very special times, took place over a cup of hot chocolate, fries and maybe even a song or two on the juke box. Or later sitting in that special someone’s driveway listening to the car radio. In the late fifties and early sixties “Love might be just two cokes and an order of fries.”
America was young and strong and brave
Lord knows that I didn't have much money
And my old car had seen some better days
You were young and fresh as brand new roses
I was so in love and strong and brave
Back when gas was thirty cents a gallon
And love was only sixty cents away
I don't think I'd know you if I'd see You
I practice my forgettin' till it works
Back when gas was thirty cents a gallon
I didn't know the meaning of hurt
Back when gas was thirty cents a gallon
And sweet magnolias line those country roads
We burned a tank of love most every weekend
And on work days I helped 'em fix the roads
My friends were many and our dreams were certain
Whoever thought we'd go our separate ways
Back when gas was thirty cents a gallon
And love was only sixty cents away
-Tom T. Hall
I had an answer to give him but didn’t.
March 15, 2014
Keep on,
Larry Adamson