My Gen X Playlist: People Get Ready – The Housemartins

What’s the first impression you want to give people?

I’m at a certain age that I shouldn’t care what people think, but I’m strangely finding that I still do. It seems I care more than I used to. I think it’s a mix of a few things. I still feel the remnants of COVID’s shelter in place, working remotely and the lack of face to face people interaction. Sometimes I feel out of practice. That’s an odd comment, but true. I’m also feeling a loss of identity since taking a break from work. My identity was wrapped too much around what I did for a living. The combination of the these make me think about impressions more than I normally do. I need to shake this off.

I often learn about classics through cover songs. I never heard of The Impressions until I listened to a cover of one of their biggest hits. The original was released back in 1965 and later won a Grammy Hall of Fame award. It was such a big hit, I was amazed I hadn’t heard of them until then. I was introduced to People Get Ready through The Housemartins’ version on their debut album. They were one of many to cover this song.

“People Get Ready” was awarded a Grammy Hall of Fame award in 1998, its first year of eligibility. The song has been covered by literally dozens of other artists, including Bob Dylan, Alicia Keys, Exile and Matisyahu, and guitarist Jeff Beck obviously is a fan of the song, having recorded or performed it with Rod Stewart, Joss Stone, Sting and Queen’s Roger Taylor.

– American Songwriter

So people get ready, there’s a train a-coming
You don’t need no ticket, you just get on board

I like traveling by train, though I rarely travel this way. I enjoy the different view, looking out the window, seeing the country through a different lens. It’s different than flying, there are details that you don’t see from high above. From an airplane window, all you see are vague, indistinct shades and you miss the essence of what is grounded below. Sometimes it’s easier traveling this way, keeping things at a distance, far from details, living in the safety of the blur. But there may be so much more that might be missed along the way. I find that’s what I’ve been doing recently – living in the blur. It’s time to worry less about impressions and enjoy the ride. I think it might be time to get on board.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

All aboard, get on board
All aboard, get on board

There's a train comin' somewhere down the track
The people that ain't ready, better step on back
This rain has been runnin' since the time began
It's runnin' on the love of your fellowman

All aboard, get on board
All aboard, get on board

So people get ready, there's a train a-coming
You don't need no ticket, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesel's hummin'
You don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord

I believe, I truly believe
That one day the world will be full of love
Yes, I believe, yes, I believe
Yes, I believe, yes, I believe
I believe