June 26, 2023 (Song #2004): “Only You” Sung by The Flying Pickets, written by Vince Clarke of Yaz (known as Yazoo in Europe) (Here’s the YAZ version: Only You by Yaz) SONG HISTORY APPLE MUSIC SPOTIFY

T-38* brings me to 1985, the year I graduated from Colgate.  I learned this song while in London on a semester abroad in the spring of 1984, then it was my solo in the Swinging ‘Gates on an arrangement that was done (or brought to the group?) by Betsy Morris.  Betsy is just one of the many friends I made in the ‘Gates but she stands out for many reasons (she had the most beautifully striking voice – and face – and she was an incredible musician); it crushed us all to pieces when she died a few years ago, but I have amazing memories of her (she took me to my first Bonnie Raitt concert in Boston and she and I and Emily Mikesell sang a beautiful Sarah McLaughlin song – “I Choose You” at Jen Dowd & Artie Spangel’s wedding.) (I could write an entire blog post on Emily Mikesell and Jen Dowd; stay tuned?!)

1985 is also the inaugural year of the “Celibacy Retreat”, which kicked off with a trip to Delaware during Colgate’s “Senior Week”.  There are 16 of us – Amy, Elizabeth, Jeannie, Jenny, Jenny, Judy, Kathy, Leslie, Liz, Meg, Megan, Sandy, Sonya, Storey, Susie & me – and we’re still friends (we had our most recent reunion a few weeks ago in Westbrook, CT at Liz’s and my belly still hurts from laughing.) Today’s SOTD was a huge favorite for most of us and was sung at at least one of our weddings. 

And, speaking of weddings: today is my parent’s 63rd anniversary and I am SO glad they got married. 🙂  SONG HISTORY APPLE MUSIC SPOTIFY