Friday Follies - Are you Reddy to Roar?

Do you ever hear a song that is not usually on your radar, and suddenly you are flooded with memories and emotions?  This happened to me on the weekend - cleaning as usual - while I was listening to a 70's playlist on a music streaming service.  The song stopped me in my tracks.  It literally stopped me mopping the floor (a welcome break).

I've got your curiosity piqued now, don't I?  It's definitely not a song I normally listen to...it was a song by Helen Reddy - "I Am Woman", released in May 1971. 

Usually this song gets bandied about when someone is talking about feminism or woman's rights, so to be honest I never really paid attention to this 70's anthem.  In actual fact, Helen Reddy didn't believe that the song is only for women, it was written about empowerment, feeling good about yourself and more importantly, believing in yourself.  She played it for her brother-in-law when he was going through a rough time.

Me and my baby bro, around the time that the single was released.

The words washed over me, taking on meanings that seemed intended only for me.  Not so much about my life, but about my mother's life, and her mother's and her mother's lives.   As soon as the music started, it took me back to a time when I was very, very young, and memories started to flash.  I know that shag carpet was involved with all that glorious 70s furniture,  and I just know that Mum turned the volume up when it was played on the radio (AM obviously).   She would have had it on vinyl too, because I remember it being played over and over again, enough to ingrain the lyrics in my memory.  It appears I could sing along to this song, almost word perfect.

70's with two little kids

I am woman, hear me roar

In numbers too big to ignore

And I know too much to go back an' pretend

'Cause I've heard it all before

And I've been down there on the floor

No one's ever gonna keep me down again

Oh yes, I am wise

But it's wisdom born of pain

Yes, I've paid the price

But look how much I gained

If I have to, I can do anything

I am strong

(Strong)

I am invincible

(Invincible)

I am woman

You can bend but never break me

'Cause it only serves to make me

More determined to achieve my final goal

And I come back even stronger

Not a novice any longer

'Cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

Oh yes, I am wise

But it's wisdom born of pain

Yes, I've paid the price

But look how much I gained

If I have to, I can do anything

I am strong

(Strong)

I am…

(written by Helen Reddy and Ray Burton)

It wasn't really the flashbacks that made me pause and, to be honest, brought a tear to my eye, but I did have a big lightbulb moment.  I had so much empathy for my mother.  She would have been raising two young kids, in a relatively new marriage and with her family was on the other side of the planet.  It must have been so hard.  There must have been times that she was so lonely.  And she toughed it out, she committed to it and she, along with Dad, worked together (probably not all the time, as partnerships never work out that way 100% of the time!) to build and nurture our family. 

I can imagine Mum having a really bad day - bratty little toddlers, husband working to provide for the family - and cranking 'I Am Woman', gaining strength while singing loudly and proudly.  She already had the strength in her, this would have just reminded her. 

In all of her 70's glory.

I come from a family of strong woman and am so grateful for it.  The stories of the women in our family are stories of strong, determined and clever women. But we all need something to remind us of what we are made of, where we are going, and what we need to do.   I can tell you that Alannis Morrissette 'Jagged Little Pill' album was played a lot in my life in the 90's. And who can forget the scene in the movie 'Love Actually' where Emma Thompson's character has Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now to get her through the tough times?

On of my anthem albums

Since I heard Helen Reddy last weekend, the song has been a constant earworm providing the background music of my days and nights.   So much so that, a week late for International Women's Day, I needed to pay tribute.  It's so true - the older we get, the more we understand our parents.

Maybe this song can touch a place in you too - the message is timeless.