A friend of mine teaches grade school and once told me about one of her students. Apparently, the little boy’s parents immigrated to the US, loved American movies and named their son after their favorite actor – Tom Hanks. I asked if people in his class called him Tommy or some other name that didn’t resemble the actor’s famous name. No, they call him Tom Hanks.
That was a head scratcher. I asked why they called him by his full name. Were they teasing him?
She smiled and said no. They weren’t teasing him nor were they calling him by his full name. His first name is Tomhanks. One word.
Oh boy…
I could have gone down a few avenues on this one. I could have pulled a song from a Tom Hanks movie soundtrack. Forrest Gump immediately came to mind. But a number of songs from the soundtrack already made the playlist.
Or I could have chosen a song with a name in the title. But I’ve already chosen songs in that category from the Bangles, Concrete Blonde, Elvis Costello and Pearl Jam to name a few. There are plenty more out there.
But in honor of Tom Hanks, I figure I should choose a song with a full name in the title even though little Tommy has another name cemented on the back end. I thought about Weezer’s Buddy Holly. And if you’re Gen X, you’ll enjoy the backdrop of the music video. Who doesn’t like Al’s Diner?
Vintage Happy Days footage was intercut with shots of Weezer performing on the original Arnold’s Drive-In set. Al Molinaro, who played the diner’s owner on the series, made a cameo appearance in the video.
Happy Days aired in the 1970s but was set in the 1950s, when Buddy Holly made his mark. So here we have a ’90s video referencing a ’70s TV series set in the ’50s.
I found a bunch of YouTube comments that were pretty funny. The last one made me smile.
I can’t wait for Buddy Holly’s new song, “Weezer.”
YouTube comment by kionisaragosa6368
I can’t believe Buddy Holly’s parents named him after a Weezer song.
YouTube comment by joshuakim2734
Son: Dad, why is my sister named Rose?
Dad: Because your mother loves roses.
Son: Thanks, Dad.
Dad: No problem, Weezer – Buddy Holly
YouTube comment by townshendflower7948
–
For a complete playlist, please click here.
For the Spotify playlist, please click here.
What's with these homies dissin' my girl?
Why do they gotta front?
What did we ever do to these guys
That made them so violent?
(Ooh ooh) But you know I'm yours
(Ooh ooh) And I know you're mine
(Ooh ooh) And that's for all of time
Ooh-wee-ooh, I look just like Buddy Holly
Oh oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore
I don't care what they say about us anyway
I don't care 'bout that
Don't you ever fear, I'm always near
I know that you need help
Your tongue is twisted, your eyes are slit
You need a guardian
(Ooh ooh) And you know I'm yours
(Ooh ooh) And I know you're mine
(Ooh ooh) And that's for all of time
Ooh-wee-ooh, I look just like Buddy Holly
Oh oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore
I don't care what they say about us anyway
I don't care 'bout that
I don't care 'bout that
Bang bang knockin' on the door
Another bang bang get down on the floor
Oh no, what do we do?
Don't look now but I lost my shoe
I can't run and I can't kick
Whatsa matter babe, are you feelin' sick?
Whatsa matter, whatsa matter, whatsa matter you?
Whatsa matter, babe, are you feelin' blue?
Oh
And that's for all of time
And that's for all of time
Ooh-wee-ooh, I look just like Buddy Holly
Oh oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore
I don't care what they say about us anyway
I don't care 'bout that
I don't care 'bout that
I don't care 'bout that
I don't care 'bout that
MyGenXerLife 
Oh wow! As part of Gen X, I love, love, love this video! Al, the Fonz dancing, and the TO BE CONTINUED part! I grew up watching Happy Days and that brought back a lot of great memories.
As a teacher, I had my fair share of unique student names. The funniest one, however, was when I volunteered as a Kindergarten tutor. A little boy was named “King Arthur.” If you called him “Arthur,” he would not respond. He only responded to “King” or “KingArthur.” Talk about entitlement, and at such a young age!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is so funny! Kids are so interesting and fun. I wonder if he will remember that as a grown man.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recognize the song but didn’t know that was the name of it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tom Hanks is such a versatile actor, one of my favs. He plays the manager of a one-hit wonder band in “That thing you do,” costarring Liv Tyler. Worth a watch 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a good one. Yeah, versatile to say the least. I think I first saw him in Bossom Buddies. I sometimes find it amusing when I see him in a dramatic role and remember that old sitcom. He came a long way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors. I had the pleasure one day to talk to a Charlie Brown. It was at a work conference. I almost asked him if his dog’s name is Snoopy. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha… that gave me a good laugh!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Days made the 50s look SO fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Didn’t they? It’s been years since I thought about that show.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh – from the title I thought I would get some Buddy Holly – but Weezer? Happy Days? – Not my jam… or my generation LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol. When I posted the song, I was wondering what your reaction would be. I grew up watching the movie The Buddy Holly story so we listened to his music when we were kids. Funny that a band like Weezer would name a song after him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All worth a look.
LikeLiked by 1 person