Saturday 9: #9 Dream

Joining Samantha today for

I must admit to having never heard this song before answering this post.  If you would like to join in on the questions, click HERE.

No. 9 Dream

Saturday 9: No. 9 Dream (1974)
 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) John Lennon liked the number 9. It shows up in three of his songs (in addition to this song, he performed "Revolution #9" and "The One after 909" with the Beatles). He was born on the 9th of October, as was his son Sean. Coincidentally, "No. 9 Dream" hit #9 on the Billboard chart. Do you have a favorite number? 

Yes, two in fact, #7 & #13

2) The phrase repeated in the chorus, "Ah bowakawa pousse pousse" means nothing. It's gibberish that John sang until he could come up with "real" lyrics for this melody. Then he decided he liked the sound of it, so he kept it. Can you think of a word that's fun to say just because you like how it sounds?

The only one I can think of is "FLABBERGASTED".
That also describes my response to this question.

3) John referred to "No. 9 Dream" as an example of "craftsmanship writing." A snatch of the melody just came to him and he got it down on a tape recorder, wrote lyrics, arranged it and recorded it in short order because he needed another song to finish the LP, Walls and Bridges. What's the last thing that you did because you were supposed to or you had to, and not because you wanted to?

Take an inventory of my Mary Kay products.  It's neither a difficult not time consuming task but one I put off doing until the very last minute.

4) Yet once "No. 9 Dream" was recorded, it became one of John's favorite of his solo songs. He loved its ethereal feel. Tell us about something that turned out better than you thought it would.

I saw this painting several years ago and wanted to do it for my granddaughters.  I wasn't at all sure I could do it and be happy with it, but as it turned out, I thought it ended up pretty close to the original.  The girls were pleased so, so was I.

5) When he was working, John drank a lot of tea, as many as 30 cups in a day. Do you take your tea with cream, sugar, honey, or lemon?

I use honey but mostly use a liquid sweetener.  We discovered Skinny Syrups several years ago, and now keep a nice assortment of flavors.  Our favorite though is Salted Caramel.

6) During his reclusive years (1975 to 1980), John didn't have household help, preferring to take care of his young son and housework himself. He did, however, have a chauffeur on call around the clock. If you could afford to a staff of one, what single thing would you have him/her do?

I would have them do the floors and bathrooms.  I know that's not a single thing but these would have to go together.

7) When John was a boy, he requested water colors and colored pencils for his birthday and at Christmastime. Do you recall a special birthday or Christmas gift you received as a child?

I do and it was a paint set with numbered pictures.  I was so disappointed with I completed my final picture because there wouldn't be any more for a long time.

8) Beatles producer George Martin said John was "a completely impractical man." Would you describe yourself as impulsive, with flashes of practicality? Or are you practical, with flashes of impulsivity? 

Definitely practical with flashes of impulsivity.

9) Random question -- Congratulations! You just won the Saturday 9 Sweepstakes, and the prize is your choice of a boat or a motorcycle. Which one do you take?

We have already done the motorcycle and boat thing and don't care about repeating that time in my life.  I would take the one that would have the greatest resale value.