It is 1951. The juke box sits quietly in the corner of the little dimly lit tavern. No nickels have been fed to pulsate its psychedelic innards Sipping their draft beers, a couple sits quietly, heads inclined together, as they read the foam images sliding down the sides of their pilsner glasses. Perchance, the images hold their future. When the last foam slides to the bottom of the glasses, the juke box is summoned . They dance on the tiny postage-stamp dance floor to “They Tried to Tell Us We’re Too Young,” “My Heart Cries for You,” and “Because of You.” Then he goes to war. They call it the Korean Conflict.
In 1952 the juke box is summoned to play “You Belong to Me,” “Blue Tango,” “I’m Yours,” “Kiss of Fire,” “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes,” and “Walkin’ My Baby Back Home.” He comes home on furlough. They are married. He goes to sea. She is always there on the docks as he sails out and returns. The juke box plays on to tunes of “Cry,” and “Auf Wiedersehen.”
In 1953 there are two waiting for him on the docks . Little Johnny has joined them! What an opportune time for “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” to appear in juke boxes everywhere! Though juke boxes had their fill of jive and boogie, the couple’s favorite songs continue to be the Hit Parade genre such as “Song from Moulin Rouge,” “Stranger in Paradise,” “Rags to Riches,” “How Much is that Doggie in the Window,” “No Other Love,” “April in Portugal,” “I’m Walking Behind You,” and Vaya con Dios.”
It is now 1954. The juke box sits quietly in the corner of the officers’ club. The couple sits quietly. As the foam slides down the sides of two pilsner glasses they once again read the images and ponder their future. The Korean Conflict has ended. They are being mustered back into civilian life. They slug the juke box and dance to “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Little Things Mean a Lot,” “Mister Sandman,” “Hey There,” “Let Me Go Lover,” “Hernando’s Hidaway,” and “Teach Me Tonight.” The Fifties aren’t half yet half over. Their dancing beat will quicken.
The couple resumes civilian life. They buy a home on a GI Bill Mortgage. Their family continues to grow. By 1959 there are four babies. In 1963 there will be six! When they become aware of the rock’n’ roll dance music that was the staple of American Bandstand they call a baby sitter and head back to the tavern. They continue to read their future in the foam as it slides down their pilsner glasses. As they slug the juke box they find that they can still jitter bug! By the end of the Fifties they are ready for Chubby Checker and the Twist craze!
Over the years the couple has slugged the juke box countless times and has stomped to “These Shoes Were Meant for Walkin.” Their fascination for disco keeps them young at heart! As time has flown, the foam on the pilsner glasses has slid to the bottom, it’s story has been told. When they slug the juke box , the song that you will most likely hear is Kay Starr’s:
“The Rock and Roll Waltz”
One night I was late, came home from a date
Slipped out of my shoes at the door
Then from the front room, I heard a jump tune
I looked in and here's what I saw
There in the night what a wonderful scene
Mom was dancing with Dad to my record machine
And while they danced, only one thing was wrong
They were trying to waltz to a rock and roll song!
a-one, two, and then rock
a-one, two, and then roll
They did the rock and roll waltz
a-rock, two, three, a-roll, two, three
It looked so cute to me
I love the rock and roll waltz
a-one, two, and then rock
a-one, two, and then roll
a-one, two, and then jump
It's good for your soul
It's old but it's new
Let's do the rock and roll waltz
There in the night what a wonderful scene
Mom was dancing with Dad to my record machine
And while they danced, only one thing was wrong
They were trying to waltz to a rock and roll song!
a-one, two, and then rock
a-one, two, and then roll
a-one, two, and then jump
It's good for your soul
It's old but it's new
Let's do the rock and roll waltz
Let's do the rock and roll waltz
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