My Gen X Playlist: Green Grows the Rushes – REM

Mary at 50 Happens reminded me about preppy pink back in the day. I remember a preppy surfer guy in high school was the first to wear a pink Polo oxford. He paved the way for it to be cool. After that, all masculinity was safe from taking hits for donning something pink.

After reading a few of Mary’s posts, I’ve come to the realization that East Coast preppies were in a league of their own. Southern California preppies were a little more laid back. I might go as far as to say preppy-lite.

Speaking of pink…

The other day we saw one of those Tesla monstrosities. It wasn’t just an obscene eyesore, the truck was painted pink. It parked a few spaces away and definitely caught my attention. Two opposing powers pulling at it. The monstrosity of the car with the softness of the color. I was curious about the driver. Would she be a tough chick or cute spunky girl? Turns out she was neither. It wasn’t a she at all. The driver was a nondescript 30 something normal dude. I give him some credit though. He definitely must be confident with his masculinity to drive that. I’ll wear a pink Oxford, but I’ll draw a line the sand there.

I thought about a bunch of Pink’s songs. Her vocals are pretty powerful, but I wasn’t feeling it today. According to Mary, the ultimate preppy pairing with pink is green. So I’m going in that direction instead.

REM released Green Goes the Rushes in 1985. Probably the only commonality REM and preppy fashion share is the decade of their popularity. Anything else is a stretch.

I remember keeping REM CDs on repeat throughout college, while living abroad and the early years of my career. That’s how I discovered this song. And yes, it’s about the plight of migrant workers, a far cry from the reality of my everyday life. Sometimes it’s not about the lyrics, though. It’s more subtle than that. Certain melodies infuse themselves into scenes of my life and linger there in the background. I couldn’t sing along to Green Grow the Rushes even if I wanted to. I don’t know the lyrics, even after listening to it a thousand times. It’s one of those melodies that sneaks up on me and transports me back in time. And man, that’s a cool feeling.

Somethings in life are temporary, whether they intend to be or not. Surely that pink Tesla will lose its flavor in about a year and that dude will at some point look in the mirror and ask himself, What the hell was I thinking? Music on the other hand is different. It has legs. It’s lasting. It sticks. And it’s wonderful feeling the memories it evokes. I had one of those moments today. Hanging out in college having beers with friends, homesick from across the ocean and pondering my direction in life, a wide open canvas. It’s a mixed mosaic intertwined in the fabric of me. I’ll take that over a pink Tesla truck any day.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

The wheelbarrow's fallen, look at my hands
They've found some surplus cheaper hands
Rubbing palms and pick and choose
Who will they choose, here is the news

Look at that building, look at this man
Haloed and whitewashed
Gone to find a cheaper hand
He'll offer a pound, offer a pound

Green grow the rushes go, green grow the rushes go
Green grow the rushes go, the compass points the workers home

Pay for your freedom
Or find another gate
Guilt by associate, the rushes wilted a long time ago
Guilty as you go

Stay off that highway, word is it's not so safe
The grasses that hide the greenback
The amber waves of gain again
The amber waves of grain

Green grow the rushes go, green grow the rushes go
Green grow the rushes go, the compass points the workers home