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My Gen X Playlist: I Got a Name – Jim Croce

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Daily writing prompt
What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?
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I’ve always thought of myself as a traditional kind of guy. So I was a little hurt when my wife made the decision to keep her maiden name. Why wouldn’t she take my name?

“How would you feel if you had to change your name?” she replied.

Oh. If you put it that way, yeah, I get it. I think I’d have a problem letting go of something that was a part of me, that encompassed my identity, and signified who I was. If she was stronger keeping her name, we would be stronger together as a family. I didn’t fight it after that. I won’t lie, though. At first there was a hint of cringe when I saw our separate names on the checkbook or mail, but I soon got over it. Such a small detail in the grand scheme of life. After 15 years of marriage, I’m glad I didn’t stand my ground because I don’t even notice it anymore. Funny how your perspective changes as you grow older.

Jim Croce’s I Got a Name is another song I picked up as a kid in the backseat of the station wagon listening to my mom’s radio station. It’s my favorite Croce song and even Tarantino found it worthy enough to include in the soundtrack on one of his movies.

“I Got A Name” is a powerful and deeply meaningful song. Its lyrics reflect Jim Croce’s own search for identity and his belief that each person has a unique name and identity that they can hold on to. Jim Croce’s legacy lives on through his music, and “I Got A Name” will always be remembered as one of his greatest songs.

– OldTimeMusic

Croce was a talent that left us way too early who had many more songs left unsung. I’m glad he left us with this one.

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Like the pine trees lining the winding road
I've got a name, I've got a name
Like the singing bird and the croaking toad
I've got a name, I've got a name

And I carry it with me like my daddy did
But I'm livin' the dream
That he kept hid

Movin' me down the highway
Rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life won't pass me by

Like the north wind whistlin' down the sky
I've got a song, I've got a song
Like the whip-poor-will and the baby's cry
I've got a song, I've got a song

And I carry it with me and I sing it loud
If it gets me nowhere
I'll go there proud

Movin' me down the highway
Rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life won't pass me by

And I'm gonna go there free

Like the fool, I am, and I'll always be
I've got a dream, I've got a dream
They can change their minds, but they can't change me
I've got a dream, I've got a dream

Oh, I know I could share it if you want me to
If you're goin' my way
I'll go with you

Movin' me down the highway
Rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life won't pass me by
Movin' me down the highway
Rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life won't pass me by

12 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: I Got a Name – Jim Croce”

  4. I totally understand the lyrics of this song. Reading the lyrics really made me see something that I would have never thought about. Changing your name is in a way giving up part of who you are, and because it takes away your original identity that you grew up with. I now see why I always feel like something is missing about myself. It is my name that I am missing. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week.

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