It has now been 5,000 posts and nearly 14 years since I wrote my first Song of the Day entry back in July of 2008.
That post was about The Smiths’ ‘I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish,’ a title I picked because I somehow knew exactly what I was getting myself into. I’ve chosen a cover of that song to mark today’s milestone.
I was 35 at the time, with daughters aged 6 and 2. Now I’m about to turn 50 and the girls are 19 and 16. That’s a lot of life measured by a whole lot of songs.
When I read through those first posts, and posts all throughout the 5,000, my reactions vary. Sometimes I completely agree with myself, other times I make myself cringe. I notice how my tastes, and my takes, have evolved.
I like to think I’m becoming more and more open. Open to artists and genres I previously wouldn’t give the time of day. Open to disagreeing with the popular or critical consensus, in whichever direction.
I believe I’ve done that, but I also know I have a long way to go.
So here’s my vow for the next five thousand: I aim to stay curious, to expand my horizons, to be unapologetic about my opinions, and to keep up the pace. A song a day, every day, no exceptions.
Thank you to all my readers for joining the ride.
There was nothing, no one, nothing around for miles
I doused our friendly venture
With a hard-faced, three-word gesture
I started something
I forced you into a zone
And you were clearly
Never meant to go
Hair brushed and parted
Typical me, typical me, typical me
I started something
And now I’m not too sure
I grabbed you by guilded beams
Uh, that’s what tradition means
And I doused another venture with a gesture
That was absolutely vile
I started something
I forced you to a zone
And you were clearly never meant to go
Hair brushed and parted
Typical me, typical me, typical me
I started something
Now I’m not too sure
Grabbed you by guilded beams
Uh, that’s what tradition means
And now eighteen months’ hard labor
Seems fair enough
I started something
I forced you to a zone
And you were clearly never meant to go
Hair brushed and parted
Typical me, typical me, typical me
I started something and now I’m not too sure
I started something
I started something
Typical me, typical me, typical me, typical me
Typical me, typical me, typical me
I started something and now I’m not too sure
Meet Me In Montauk 
5000 posts! Wow, what an accomplishment!
And, of course, your most loyal frequent commenter has been right there each and every day, so I guess you started something I too couldn’t finish. 🤪
I’m sure I might also cringe at many of my early comments, as I suspect I have mellowed in my criticisms, or the need/desire to express a contrarian position or to endlessly spar, debate and argue.
I suppose in some ways I have also evolved in my tastes. I can’t imagine, for example, that, 14 years ago, I would have ranked Yellowstone and 1883 as two of my favorite shows.
Then again, some things remain the same – like my aversion to pretentious artists like Morrisey/The Smiths and directors like Wes Anderson, and my steadfast view that Bob Dylan has not made great music for more than 30 years. 😉
So here’s to the next 5000 posts and comments!🥂
I raise a mug (of freshly-ground Peet’s) in appreciation to you. It’s nothing short of miraculous that I can open my email every day to find music presented with thought and consideration. It’s not always my bag, but I always welcome it! Here’s to 5,000 more!
Happy 5k!!! I’m so glad Montauk has existed for so long and grown with you and the family. I’ve discovered so many new songs and artists because of you, and this has honestly been a shining example of dedication and motivation to do something just because you love it.
I echo Maddie’s sentiments. Your desire to keep this blog going, coupled with your diligence and creativity (having the occasional guest blogger and finding themes to schedule in advance to enable the blog to keep its pace even when you take a vacation from Wi-Fi😜) has been admirable.
Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to reflect and discuss for 14 years!
Wow!!! Congratulations 🎈🎊🍾 I hope I will be around to read many more of your reviews for years to come ❤️❤️
I recently started following the blog, and it’s been a good decision so far! Congrats on keeping this up for so long. Also this is a really rad cover. (I was big into The Smiths as a teenager but my taste pendulum swung away from them.)