OCTOBER 20th - Gonna Have to Serve Somebody



On this day in 1979, Bob Dylan was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live with guest host was Eric Idle of Monty Python. Now, it’s not like this was a great day in our nation’s history or anything, but Dylan is perhaps the greatest singer/songwriter that has ever walked the planet, and the fact that he became such despite sounding as if a chicken-bone was permanently lodged in his wind-pipe at some point during his childhood is pretty remarkable. And SNL is one of the most famous TV programs in broadcast history, so the day does deserve a little commemoration. On top of that one of the songs Dylan sang was “Gotta Serve Somebody,” which I have always greatly enjoyed. It’s a factual statement for the vast majority of people. As the songs describes, some people have to serve more than others. For instance, a pretty-boy criminal who wound up doing hard time after accidentally shooting someone, but really has the survival skills of new-born puppy; he might be doing a lot of serving, while the Sultan of All the Gold--probably serving less. But still serving. Even if only by having to alter his life to keep All the Gold. But Dylan knew, you gonna have to serve somebody. There is always something you are living for or working towards or trying to keep. Can be good, can be bad. But it's there. Except for Albino Midgets. One, because they are Humanicorns and don’t seem to exist. And B, because if they did exist they would be celebrated as cosmic treasures the world over and wouldn’t have to lift one very pale, tiny-little finger for anything. But everybody else, you gonna have to serve somebody.

This day has been Marked.

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