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 in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal 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.

I love Robert Altman’s films.  They are quirky and real and weird just like life.  My two favorite movies of his are “A Wedding” and “Nashville”.  In both films he cast two of my favorite comediennes, Carol Burnett and Lily Tomlin, respectively, and I watched them turn into dramatic actresses right in front of my eyes.  Burnett played the mother of the bride who comes face to face, albeit briefly, with the death of the newlywed.  In “Nashville”, Tomlin played a married mom of two deaf children (she learned ASL for the role) who contemplates having an affair.

The man she is considering the tryst with is played by Keith Carradine, whose character happens to be a womanizer pursuing three other women in addition to Tomlin.  She goes to a club to see him perform today’s song.  As he introduces it and starts to sing it, we see all four woman reacting as if they believe the song is about them.  But eventually it becomes clear he is singing to Tomlin as he stares at her throughout his performance, so much so that the other woman take notice and look back to see the woman who has him so captivated.  There is no dialogue, just the sound of Carradine’s song.

The scene lasted about three minutes long and in that time the camera primarily focuses on Tomlin’s face.  First it is from a distance, then it moves in closer to her.  Again, there are no words just the expression on her face to tell her story.  She appeared surprised, shocked, intrigued, uncomfortable and then overcome all at once.  I could not believe the depth she showed.  She was just mesmerizing.  Hollywood thought so, too, as she was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Award for this movie.  I am convinced this scene clinched the nom for her (she lost to Lee Grant who won for “Shampoo”).  I never forgot Tomlin’s performance or the tune which went on to win the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1976.  It is short, simple, honest and direct and I just love it.  The song lyrics speak to anyone who has ever had a complicated relationship, romantic or otherwise.

“I never cared too much for games and this one’s driving me insane.”

 (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Keith Carradine:  “I’m Easy” (1975, written by Keith Carradine).

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

Stay well.