The Big Apple Songs: Mr. Walker, It’s All Over

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Back to the alphabetical list today as we return to the “regular” countdown. Sorry, but you just cannot get past yesterday without acknowledging it. Speaking of acknowledging, l’shana tovah to all celebrating Rosh Hashanah today. Here’s the next song on our list of songs mentioning New York City. Mr. Walker, It’s All Over - Billie Jo Spears First, let’s talk about the screen grab. We remember Dolly Parton, of course. As my late, lamented friend Tim Wilson said in a song, “Nobody could compete with Dolly Parton’s wigs.” As you can see, nearly every woman in country music DID try, though. Between the guys and their toupees and the women in their wigs, the only thing “real” in Nashville at the time was talent. Moving on, this is a humorous song, to me anyway. I don’t know why anyone from Garden City, Kansas would think they’d be a “perfect fit” in New York. Go for a visit? Absolutely. Move there? Um…NO. But this poor girl does just that, discovering that the big city is a little too big. (For comparison: the current census population of Garden City is about 28,000, while New York City’s at about eight and a half million. There are probably neighborhoods in NYC with a population bigger than 28,000. ) She encounters sexism and the problems of finding a decent place to live. The song has a happy ending: “Garden City’s looking better every minute now since I have learned to see,” so she leaves (my favorite line in this song is about the written notice she gives ). Billie Jo Spears wasn’t a superstar performer (you won’t see her name listed on possible candidates for the Country Music Hall of Fame), although she had a few major hits. Her 2011 obituary wasn’t headline news, for certain. Spears’ song “Blanket on the Ground” is on my 100 favorites list. If I had more room this probably would be, too. Mr. Walker, It’s All Over Written by Gene Crysler Recorded by Billie Jo Spears From Mr. Walker, It’s All Over!, 1969 NYC LYRICS: I left Garden City, Kansas with a ticket and a yen to see New York