June 25, 2023 (Song #2003): “Softly” (1962) written by Tony De Vita and Hal Shaper and sung by Matt Monro.

LYRICS & SONGFACTS APPLE MUSIC SPOTIFY

T-39 brings me to 1984, my junior year and the year that my Swinging ‘Gates mentors graduated from Colgate.  At this point, you’ve heard me talk about a bunch of important moments in my life and it must seem that I have as many pivots in my journey as I have days I’ve lived. But, seriously people, being a Swinging ‘Gate was, for me, like being in a sorority in the movie “Legally Blonde” – there is no story without it.   The seed for becoming a Swinging ‘Gate was planted in a letter I received the summer before I went to Colgate. Colgate totally knew what it was doing when they assigned Alison King to be my “big sister” (hence, the letter): she became one of my closest friends, the Alto 2 to my Soprano 2 (her ba-dums and “Steam Heat” brought the house down), my roommate in NYC, my work partner at GRP, a bridesmaid in my wedding plus a soul sister to my daughter Rose (since they have the same birthday).  At first, the idea of being in a women’s a cappella group didn’t resonate until I heard the group sing at convocation. I was immediately struck by Jenni Wilson’s golden locks (all brunettes want to be blonde, people) and solid soprano, Ellen Rosen’s hysterical intros and flirty “Freddy, My Love”, Alison’s aforementioned bass lines, Cindy Dietzel’s beautiful voice and incredible lead on “Never My Love”, and their leader: Leslie French with her outrageously gorgeous voice and solo on “The Rose” (move aside, Bette).  When I found out that Leslie was just a sophomore (and had been elected leader as a freshman!), I knew I had to get to know her.  Fast forward 35+ years and she continues to blow me away with knowledge and clear vision of the world around her, not to mention her sharp sense of humor. I’m still grateful to her and all the others for letting me in the group and giving me a song to sing and friends who I still love.