The National Archives described 1968 as a year of turmoil and change. The Vietnam War, riots in Washington DC, the assassinations of MLK and Robert Kennedy. I wanted to find a brighter, lighter spot in this year. It’s trivial and minor, but I think found it.
The Big Mac began selling nationally in 1968, for 49 cents. Delligatti didn’t receive any extra remuneration for his world-famous, 550-calorie invention, but he did receive a plaque. The Big Mac ingredients, of course, became an iconic litany in its advertising-campaign jingle:
Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame-seed bun.
– 1968yr
If you know the Big Mac jingle, there is a good chance you are Gen X. We used to sing it as kids and have contests who could say it the fastest. My oldest brother always won. Who would have thought a song about hamburger ingredients would be so catchy?
I’m still a Big Mac fan to this day. Yes, there are other great burgers out there, but McDonalds was a part of my childhood. I don’t eat fast food that often nowadays, but an occasional diversion to a McDonald’s drive thru brings a smile to my face. I’m waiting for the daily prompt to ask me for my top 5 burger joints. I’m sure that prompt is right around the corner.
I drew a blank today for the playlist. I don’t know any Big Mac songs. I found a few with a passing reference, but meh. So here is a stretch. Double decker burger. Double decker bus. . .
And if a double-decker bus crashes into us
To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die
There is a Light That Never Goes Out is my favorite Smith’s song. Despite the depressing lyrics, I can play it on loop all day. I’m not alone. Morrissey’s music tends to have that effect on people.
I hadn’t heard “There is a Light that Never Goes Out” before that night. By the time I finally went to bed, I’d heard it at least two dozen times. It remains one of two songs that I will put on repeat. . . It’s rare that you’ll find a piece of art that makes you think “Hey! That’s me!” This one seemed like it had been plucked from my subconscious.
– songsthatsavedyourlife
Went on a first date with a girl in my car. I asked where did she want to go and she said she didn’t care as long as she didn’t have to go back home. And then this song came on my playlist and I skipped it but she said “oh you know the smiths? I like them.” So I put the song back on and we just proceeded to sing the song out loud. It was a pretty good moment. Things didn’t last between us but the memory is going to be there for a bit.
YouTube comment from animevibe117
No one does musical dichotomy quite like The Smiths. The contrast within their music, where the lyrics’ emotional depth collides with the upbeat tempo of the melody, is a hallmark of their distinctive sound.
Morrissey’s lyrics often explore the darker sides of life. . . However, what sets The Smiths apart is their ability to cloak these heavy themes within catchy, jangly guitar hooks and vibrant rhythms.
– FarOutMagazine
OK, so this post went from Big Mac’s happy jingle to The Smiths’ not so happy lyrics. But if you are going to listen to incredibly depressing lyrics, you can’t match The Smiths upbeat hooks and melodies. You can’t help crack a smile as you belt out even the most depressing lines from Morrissey’s arsenal. It’s just his gift to the world.
–
For a complete playlist, please click here.
For the Spotify playlist, please click here.
Take me out tonight
Where there's music and there's people
And they're young and alive
Driving in your car
I never, never want to go home
Because I haven't got one anymore
Take me out tonight
Because I want to see people
And I want to see life
Driving in your car, oh, please don't drop me home
Because it's not my home, it's their home
And I'm welcome no more
And if a double-decker bus crashes into us
To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten-tonne truck kills the both of us
To die by your side, well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine
Take me out tonight
Take me anywhere, I don't care, I don't care, I don't care
And in the darkened underpass
I thought "Oh God, my chance has come at last"
But then a strange fear gripped me and I just couldn't ask
Take me out tonight
Oh, take me anywhere, I don't care, I don't care, I don't care
Driving in your car
I never, never want to go home
Because I haven't got one, la-di-dum, oh, I haven't got one
Oh, oh
And if a double-decker bus crashes into us
To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten-tonne truck kills the both of us
To die by your side, well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine
Oh, there is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
MyGenXerLife 
1970…The One and Only time an X Rated Film won Best Picture at the Oscars. Midnight Cowboy from 1969. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Boomer here, but from working at McD’s from age 16 to 18, I recall the earlier jingle very well. I enjoy the odd Big Mac once a year or so, though sometimes it comes with regret for dessert! Tried the Grand Big Mac once, but that was kind of gross and hard to keep it from slipping apart.
Isn’t it fun scrolling through the comments on a YouTube post when composing a post? I like how you incorporate them in your stories. I didn’t really think much that anyone else read many, but then again, who would give all the comments and replies if not? The Smiths/Morrissey do have a knack for that dichotomy; “Everyday is Like Sunday” is a good example (I think) we’ve talked over.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sometimes I just come across a YouTube comment that is just so good. It’s interesting reading other peoples comments to the song.
Yes, regret definitely is desert after a Big Mac. Interestingly enough, I tend to forget about it and not learn my lesson…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agree on all that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
i always thought this song was called, “take me out.” (i was thinking, how could there be a smith song i’m not familiar with??! … lol. just had the title wrong!). as to burgers and sad songs, i’ve always been partial to the whopper jr and counting crow’s sullivan street. but you can never go wrong with the smiths (and hell yes, turn that dial back … )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sullivan Street… yes! That’s such a great tune. I love that entire album. I’m a fan of the whopper, too. Good choice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Must be my mood today, but the song is really making me sad, so I only listened to part of it. Kudos for finding a song you could use for your post. And that jingle is buried, welded, embedded, enshrined in my brain. Truly I do like Big Macs, but probably will not eat another since I decided this year to eat only ethically sourced meat (if possible) and somehow I doubt that Old McDonald is singing the cows to sleep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you have to make a Big Mac sacrifice, that’s the reason to do it! I only eat it once or twice a year. My body feels it afterwards.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We did that exact same thing in my neighborhood – contests to see who could say the Big Mac ingredients fastest. So funny you brought that up! The pre-Tik Tok world had its fads for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
To this day, I’m still amazed that this country survived 1968, from a social standpoint
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the Smiths, I’ve always had a thing for lyrics contrasting with upbeat music. Benjamin Gifford has a song called Woe that does that too. I used to love Big Macs. Haven’t been to Mac Donald’s in years! Your post makes me want to go, just to have one…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wasn’t familiar with him but just listened to a bunch of his music on YouTube. I like him. Thanks for introducing his music to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person