Well, look at that calendar! February 27th again, and you know what that means - it's National Strawberry Day!
I have to be honest, of all the berries, I rate straw- right down there with boysen- and huckle-. They are pretty to look at, but they taste...I dunno...sandy or something.
But I can find something good about everything, and this is the day I treat myself to lots of listens to both the Shuggie Otis original and the Brothers Johnson versions of the great 70's psychedelic favorite, "Strawberry Letter 23."
Shuggie is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, born Johnny Alexander Veliotes, Jr. His father was John "Johnny Otis" Veliotes, who was the guy behind a lot of great tunes in the 1950s, including "Ma (He's Making Eyes at Me)," recorded by Johnny Otis and His Orchestra with Marie Adams and the Three Tons of Joy) and the original "Willie and the Hand Jive."
Shuggie wrote the song after writing 22 letters to his girlfriend, making the song the 23rd of his "strawberry letters." Strawberry papers were very popular back then.
Hello, my love, I heard a kiss from you
Red magic satin playing near, too
All through the morning rain I gaze, the sun doesn't shine
Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind
In the garden, I see, west purple shower bells and tea
Orange birds and river cousins dressed in green
Pretty music, I hear, so happy and loud
Blue flowers echo from a cherry cloud
Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue
Playgrounds will laugh
If you tried to ask, "Or is it cool?" (Is it cool?)
If you arrive and don't see me
I'm gonna be with my baby
I'm free, flyin' in her arms
Over the sea
Stained window, yellow candy screen
See speakers of kites
With velvet roses digging freedom flight
A present from you
Strawberry letter twenty-two
The music plays, I sit in for a few
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