My Gen X Playlist: Red Red Wine – Neil Diamond

When I was in college, a bunch of us took dates to our first musical. It felt like a very adult evening out. We made reservations at a nice restaurant before the show. The waiter suggested a bottle of wine. Sure, we were no strangers to drinking. Our beverage of choice back then was beer or shots of vodka or tequila. Shotgunning a beer or doing vodka slammers didn’t seem appropriate at such a nice restaurant. Although, we had no clue about wine, it sounded like a nice change of pace.

When I saw the waiter approaching our table with the bottle, all I could think of was,

Don’t come to me. Don’t come to me. Don’t come to me.

But of course, that just sealed the deal. He showed me the label, set the cork in front of me and poured a smidge in my wine glass. All eyes were on me and I thought, What the hell am I suppose to do? Sniff it? Take a sip and swish it in my mouth? I was totally clueless.

The waiter, immediately noticing my apprehension, without hesitation diverted attention to himself by announcing he’d like to provide a complimentary wine lesson for the table. Something he enjoyed giving to new customers to the restaurant. We all smiled and gladly accepted. Me? Well, I let out a silent sigh of relief and was appreciative for his grace, saving me from an awkward situation. I later learned my friends were repeating the same lines in their heads as the waiter arrived with the bottle. We agreed that guy was one cool dude. Needless to say, we tipped him a little extra that evening. This happened over thirty years ago, but I still remember it to this day. I’m appreciative of his lesson in kindness. It serves as a reminder that small acts of kindness have a lasting impact.

I grew up with UB40’s 80’s version, but the original came from Neil Diamond in 1967. Even in a non-reggae vibe, the original Red Red Wine is still pretty good. I grew up listening to Diamond, so maybe I’m an impartial judge. I’m curious about your thoughts. Let me know what you think.

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Red, red wine
Go to my head
Make me forget that I
Still need her so

Red, red wine
It's up to you
All I can do, I've done
But memories won't go
No, memories won't go

I'd have sworn that with time
Thoughts of you would leave my head
I was wrong, and I find
Just one thing makes me forget

Red, red wine
Stay close to me
Don't let me be alone
It's tearing apart
My blue, blue heart

I'd have sworn that with time
Thoughts of you would leave my head
I was wrong, and I find
Just one thing makes me forget

Red, red wine
Stay close to me
Don't let me be alone
It's tearing apart
My blue, blue heart