Rant of the Week

Gems: Anchorage

Leroy got a better job, so we moved
Kevin lost a tooth, now he's started school
I got a brand new 8-month old baby girl,
I sound like a housewife,
Hey 'Chell, I think I'm a housewife

Michelle Shocked wrote Anchorage in 1988. It's an upbeat country tune with a friendly old solo violin meandering around. The friendly backbeat is deceptive-- it's a sneaky little unsentimental but affecting update on friendship and the passage of time. Breaks your heart with those tiny unremarked details of everyday life-- Leroy gets a better job, they move, Kevin loses a tooth. Then that remarkable line-- "I think I am a housewife". That's what I mean by "sneaky". There is a web of deep connections implied in that line, long discussions about roles in life, about marriage and love, and destiny, and the devotion of young friendships-- all exploded with one little phrase: "I think I am a housewife". It's not angry or bitter, but maybe a little wistful. Is there a hint of regret? It doesn't sound like it, in the cheery tone of Michelle Shock's voice.

In a later verse, the narrator is impressed that "'Chel" is living in New York City -- "imagine that". As if they both had those dreams but the narrator never once really imagined that either of them would fulfill those dreams. Imagine that. New York. Then:

Leroy says, send a picture
Leroy says 'Hello',
Leroy says, "keep on rockin' girl..."

That's a stroke of genius. Leroy is not the enemy, the male oppressor, or even a rival for her affections. Leroy is interested-- he says "Hello". He wants to see what Michelle, the skate-board punk-rocker, looks like now. Send a picture.