Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

On this day 60 years ago today’s song hit the #1 spot in America for the first of four consecutive weeks. Del Shannon was at the top of the charts on April 24, 1961 with the track he would re-record in 1986 with updated lyrics so it could be used as the theme song for the Dennis Farina television series, “Crime Story”.

Shannon had subsequent Top 20 hits in the 1960’s with “Hats Off To Larry”, “Little Town Flirt” and “Keep Searchin’ (We’ll Follow the Sun)” but it is today’s track that he is best remembered for. I chose to spotlight the updated version because the video not only shows Shannon performing the song, but it also has clips of the show featuring Farina as Lt. Mike Torello, one of the coolest TV cops ever.

“As I still walk on
I think of the things
We’ve done together
While our hearts were young“.

Top: Del Shannon circa 1965. Bottom: Dennis Farina circa 1988 as Lt. Mike Torello on the Las Vegas strip. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Del Shannon: “Runaway” (1986, originally released in 1961, written by Max Crook and Del Shannon).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.