I woke up at about 7:30 this morning with Simon & Garfunkel’s “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” in my head. The sun was shining brightly into my bedroom, the birds were singing, and with such music playing in my mind I just couldn’t stay in bed one minute more. There’s so much to do and see, so much life to live, how can I possibly sleep through it?! As I brushed my teeth, made breakfast, drank my coffee, the lyrics of that iconic song played across my brain over and over, and I realized it’s the perfect anthem, the perfect soundtrack to life as I know it.
The dictionary says the word “groove” derives from a Middle English word meaning “a mining shaft, a pit, a ditch.” Over the centuries the word evolved and came to mean “a pattern, a rut” as well as “a long narrow cut or indentation in a surface.” Hence after the invention of recorded sound and phonograph records, the tracks for the needle became known as “record grooves.” When musicians are playing well together and really feeling it, it’s said they’re “in the groove.” In the 60’s, saying something or a situation was “groovy” meant that it was pretty awesome, highly enjoyable. And still today, if you find yourself in a good groove, it means you’re just kinda surfing the wave of life, enjoying the ride.
So I’d like to make a case for the re-integration of the word “groovy” into modern day English slang. Think about it: when was the last time you heard someone say “groovy” with a straight face and actually mean it? And yet it carries so much meaning with it; so much more than a word like “cool” or “sweet.” Isn’t it way more fun to go through your day feeling groovy? It’s carefree and silly, it’s relaxed and hopeful, it’s smooth sailing baby.
I’m feeling groovy these days. It’s one of those times in life when everything seems to be moving right along exactly as it should be. Nothing ahead but a bright, big horizon. It’s best to stay in the groove at times like this. Stop waiting for the other shoe to drop, stop expecting something to go wrong. In my experience, when you expect a storm, it almost always finds you.
“Slow down, you move too fast, You got to make the morning last, Just kickin’ down the cobblestones, Lookin’ for fun and feelin’ groovy.”
Mmmm, just makes you wanna get out into the sunshine, doesn’t it?
When you’re feeling groovy, you’re in the moment. There’s nothing else you want or need because it’s already complete. It’s already perfect. “Hello lamp post, what cha knowin’? I’ve come to watch your flowers growin’.” If you’ve ever taken a stroll just for the hell of it, you know exactly what he’s talking about.
So go groove like no one’s watching. There’s nothing stopping you. And if your path crosses with mine, then hopefully we’ll stop for a moment and groove together.
“Life, I love you, All is groovy.” 