“Oklahoma City Times”: A Sweet Melody of Distant Dreams and Lingering Love
For those of us who came of age in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the name Bobby Sherman evokes a particular kind of youthful exuberance and innocent charm. He was the quintessential teen idol, his face gracing countless magazine covers, his voice a soundtrack to countless crushes. While hits like “Little Woman,” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” and “Julie, Do Ya Love Me” dominated the airwaves, there’s a lesser-known gem from his repertoire that truly captures the bittersweet essence of memory and longing: “Oklahoma City Times.” Released in 1971 as part of his album With Love, Bobby, this song, though not one of his biggest chartbusters on the Billboard Hot 100, resonated with a quieter, more reflective sentiment. While Bobby Sherman was a consistent presence in the Top 40 during this period, “Oklahoma City Times” didn’t achieve the same commercial peak as some of his other singles, which frequently landed in the top 10. However, its enduring appeal lies not in its chart position, but in its ability to transport listeners back to a simpler time, a time of young love and the tender ache of separation.
The story behind “Oklahoma City Times” is less about grand narratives and more about the universal experience of holding onto precious moments. Written by Paul Hampton, the song paints a vivid picture of a love left behind, marked by the simple, poignant memento of a newspaper. Imagine, if you will, the scene: a young man, perhaps Bobby Sherman himself in the persona of the song’s narrator, far from home, clutching a dated newspaper from Oklahoma City. This isn’t just any newspaper; it’s the Oklahoma City Times, a tangible link to a person and a place that holds immense sentimental value. The meaning of the song is deeply rooted in nostalgia and the enduring power of memory. It speaks to the way seemingly ordinary objects can become imbued with extraordinary significance when tied to love and past experiences. The newspaper serves as a time capsule, each headline and advertisement a silent reminder of the days spent with a beloved. It’s about the feeling of being miles away, yet constantly drawn back by the heart to a person and the shared history.
For those of us who recall the days when Bobby Sherman was on every TV screen and radio, the song touches a raw nerve of remembrance. We can almost feel the gentle ache of yearning that the lyrics convey. It’s a sentiment that transcends the specific details of a love lost in Oklahoma City; it’s about our own forgotten loves, our own distant dreams, and the lingering echoes of what once was. The melody, gentle and melancholic, perfectly complements the reflective lyrics. It’s not a mournful ballad, but rather a tender reflection, a gentle sigh for moments that can only be relived in the mind’s eye.
Bobby Sherman himself, with his boy-next-door charm and earnest delivery, was perfectly suited to convey this kind of heartfelt emotion. He wasn’t a powerhouse vocalist, but his strength lay in his sincerity, making him relatable to millions of young fans. His career, especially in the late 60s and early 70s, was a whirlwind of tours, television appearances (like on Here Come the Brides and The Partridge Family), and recording sessions. Amidst this whirlwind, “Oklahoma City Times” offered a moment of quiet introspection. It’s a testament to the fact that even amidst the dazzling lights of teen idol fame, the simple, human emotions of love and longing still found their way into the music. It reminds us that even as time marches on, the memories we cherish, and the feelings they evoke, remain as real and vivid as the ink on an old newspaper. So, put on “Oklahoma City Times,” close your eyes, and let Bobby Sherman take you back to a place and time where memories, like old newspaper clippings, are forever preserved in the heart.