87: I've Just Never Been Tested

87. "The Impression That I Get" by Mighty Mighty Bosstones {#23; 12/97} [iTunes? Yes] {Video: The Impression That I Get. (Why is it these ska guys like the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Madness are always so well dressed? Does a suit and tie make you ska better?)}

Here we are with another song from the late 90s when I was trying to "stay" "hip" and "with-it." (I used a lot of "quotation marks" back then, too.) (And parenthesis.)

This is very much a happy/sad song. It's fun to sing along with, and it's got a nice tempo with some "happy" horns. But, it does make me think of a pretty sad time. Especially the line, "Have you ever been close to tragedy, or close to folks who have?"

Back around the time this song was popular, some friends of mine did indeed have a tragedy occur. That tragedy was compounded by some very serious legal problems. For over three years this family struggled through this tragedy and its aftereffects. They fought through heartache and separation. They dealt with in-laws and outlaws. It was very difficult, but they made it through.

This songs reminds me of them and how they were able to make it through the tragedy. It reminds me that my life has been pretty damn easy. I don't know if I could have gotten through something like that the way they did. I don't know many people who could have.

So, it's a happy/sad song. Happy that I haven't had to go through that kind of tragedy. Sad that my friends did. But, ultimately happy that they were able to make it through the tragedy and still be the damn good peoples that they are.

That's the impression that I get.

COMING UP NEXT: A word from Porky Pig.