Unanswered Questions

No philosophy today. No nostalgia either. It’s time to get serious. We need these questions answered!

Where did Cotton Eye Joe come from? Where did he go? This stuff keeps me up at night. I did some research and found that the term refers to being tested for STDs through the use of a Q-tip, a cotton swab! That’s why he never got married, because of his STDs. But still, no answer to the question…where did he come from and where did he go?

Here’s another. What, exactly, was Billie Joe McAllister throwing off the Tallahatchee Bridge? We know Billie Joe killed himself by jumping off a bridge. We know the singer of the song was seen throwing something off the bridge with Billie the day before. What did they throw in the river? I guess we will never know. One thing we do know is not to buy a house on Choctaw Ridge. Nothing will ever come to good at that particular location!

This one comes from a more obscure 60s song, ” Timothy”. I always loved this song because it was so offbeat. Who sings about cannibalism? But do they? That’s the question. Three guys are trapped in a mine cave in. They are trying to stay alive, with no food source. The implication is that Timothy gets eaten. In the song the question is “Timothy, Timothy, where on Earth did you go?”. Did they eat him or did he find a way out on his own. Enquiring minds want to know!

Did Eleanor Rigby ever find a way out of her loneliness? Did she one day make the decision to put on the face that she kept in a jar by her door? Did she make her way down to Penny Lane or maybe to the Cavern Club for a night out of music and dance? Did she meet the man of her dreams there and did she then lose him? We know she died in the church. But, before that, did she at least have some fun? There’s another question. All the lonely people…were do they all come from?

I could go on and on, but I would surely never get sleep. Just listen to all of these unanswered questions: Did the Supremes find out where their love went? Did the Clash decide whether to stay or go? Did Elvis Costello find out what is so funny about peace, love, and understanding? Did Rod Stewart find out if you thought he was sexy? Did CCR find out if anyone will stop the rain? Did the Beegees find out the depth of your love? How about Frankie Lyman all those years ago, did he find out why fools fall in love? Tina Turner, after dumping Ike, probably found out what love has to do with it. At least I hope so! The Lovin Spoonful wanted to know if you believe in magic. Do you?

Finally, the Beatles asked “Do You Want to Know a Secret?”. I do. I do. I want to know the secret to falling asleep with all of these unanswered questions?