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.
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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
MyGenXerLife 
I also kept my name when we got married, but my hubs didn’t mind so much. ^_^ Love Jim Croce.
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That’s great! Yeah, Jim Croce is pretty awesome!
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I kept my name too. I have to say I didn’t want to lose my identity and lose my name
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Yes, I totally understand now. I have friends and family that are the same. Times are changing.
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I wanted to honor my families legacy and I knew the relationship wouldn’t last – I will always keep my name
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My wife went from the front of the alphabet to the extreme end of it. :p
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What a change. But a signature beginning with a Z is pretty cool. You can get creative with the style
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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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Nowadays, it’s acceptable one way or the other. I understand not wanting to give up your name. I also understand the traditional decision to change. It’s not an easy decision.
I do love this song…
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I have heard this song before, but I never knew who sang it. I like this song. Listening to it now.
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Jim Croce left us way to early. He was so talented.
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if the last name has a good ring to it, why not? changing names could be like a mental metamorphosis for possibly the better? to each their own.
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