To Eric Burdon and the Animals
It seems I have a story about everything these days... I have one about this song.
See, I never listened to the extended part of the extended version before. Boy,was I
surprised. So, I posted it above so people could listen to it. The part that shocked me
was at about the 5 minute part.
Back in the late 60's when Sky Pilot was a hit, I really loved it. I'd been in a band
and we played a bunch of your stuff... because of my age - in between the
"hippie" anti-war group and too old for generations x and y... I guess I was
about 11.... I really didn't understand a lot of the lyrics but I liked the themes of the
parts I caught... which, by design, seems to be why it took me so long to catch on... I
never heard the extended version before.
In those days, I would listen to KDON in Salinas (a station I have a mixed history
with). I'd hang out with the neighborhood kids on Burlwood Drive in Scotts Valley, and
we'd play tackle frisbee in the mud or just hang out and talk and joke around.
It was the strangest thing, though. I was the kind of guy that if I entered a drawing
or lottery, I always won. When I go to casinos and play slots, so long as I don't feel
guilty about gambling, I win.
Back then, my friends would call the radio station with requests, and sometimes they'd
get played, maybe not... or they'd be told it would be an hour or so... usual stuff.. but
if I called, they'd play it within a few minutes. I noticed it back then and thought it
was funny, but it sort of sticks out to me now, in the context of my "bubble
life".
Anyway, this one day, I wanted to hear Sky Pilot... they were saying on the air that
requests would take 40-60 minutes... but I called them, and they played it within 10
minutes. I cranked it up, loved it. I must have called them 3 or 4 times in a two
hour period, and they kept playing it each time. I'd have called more but I didn't want to
abuse the privilege.:} I didn't know why they kept doing it, but they did. And I really do
have a long, interesting sordid history with that station... :} As with everything, it
seems...
All I can figure is, God wanted me to hear that song.
I'm glad I did. Especially the extended part today. It's encouraging. Heartening. You
have no idea what it meant to me to hear that.
God Bless You.
Sting
- It's Probably Me
