Crystal Blue Persuasion
Blue Water (Photo credit: fox_kiyo)
In 1969, during the final Summer of Love, Tommy James and the Shondells released a song destined to become a classic. With religious undertones so slight you hardly notice them, “Crystal Blue Persuasion” takes you away to a warm and inspiring place. It’s best served in the summertime while you lounge on the beach or drift around the pool.
Wondering why you never heard of it? I wonder that very thing myself.
I stumbled across the song in college, right before our Spring Break trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We saved money by holing up in the same hotel room—seven guys and girls sharing two double beds—but we spend most of our time in the sand and surf.
One especially nice afternoon, just after lunch, we found ourselves with two or three groups of other vacationers—most of them college students like us—partying, chugging beers and margaritas, and having a very pleasant time.
Then we cranked up “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and felt a wave of peace and relaxation wash over us. Alcohol-soaked and sunburned, we all danced together in the sunlight, swam and surfed the waves. It was almost a religious experience without Tommy James chiming in.
Sadly, I can’t link the song or provide a sample here, but I did find the lyrics and hope you enjoy them. I highly recommend checking out the song on iTunes, though. And no, I’m not being paid to say that.
Look over yonder what do you see
The sun is a-risin’ most definitely
A new day is comin’ people are changin’
Ain’t it beautiful crystal blue persuasion
Better get ready gonna see the light
Love, love is the answer and that’s all right
So don’t you give up now so easy to find
Just look to your soul and open your mind
Crystal blue persuasion, mm-hmm
It’s a new vibration
Crystal blue persuasion, crystal
Blue persuasion
Maybe tomorrow when He looks down
Every green field and every town
All of his children every nation
There’ll be peace and good brotherhood
Crystal blue persuasion
Ahhhhh… that’s nice…
Posted on September 22, 2012, in Music, Perspectives, Writing and tagged Crystal Blue Persuasion, entertainment, iTunes, lyrics, music, personal, perspectives, song, Spring break, Summer of Love, Tommy James, Tommy James and the Shondells, writing. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
was sure I had Crystal Blue Persuasion but would have taken too long to find,too many compilation albums so downloaded iMesh,found and downloaded.Always liked that song.I remember from’69 Good memories.
I’m jealous you got to hear it when it first hit the radio, doglady, but glad it brought back good memories!
Lived in a commune in Toronto,hid a draft dodger,whole nine yards.Wonderful time.Lots of records(VINYL)!!Had record with that song.Remember listening to it stoned.Been a long time since I had that much fun,makes me wish I could go back again,maybe just for a 3 Wk. holiday.
Awesome comments, doglady! Thanks for sharing!