A bittersweet echo of fleeting fame and enduring love.
Ah, Bobby Sherman. Just hearing that name conjures up a specific era, doesn’t it? A time when teen idols reigned supreme, plastered on bedroom walls and adorning the covers of 16 Magazine and Tiger Beat. For many of us, especially those of a certain vintage, Bobby Sherman was more than just a pin-up; he was a soundtrack to our youth, a gentle voice accompanying first crushes, school dances, and the bittersweet pangs of growing up. Among his numerous hits, one song stands out for its reflective quality, its quiet poignancy that perhaps even then, hinted at the ephemeral nature of pop stardom: “Oklahoma City Times.”
Released in 1970, when Bobby Sherman was arguably at the peak of his teen idol powers, “Oklahoma City Times” found a comfortable, if not earth-shattering, spot on the charts. It peaked at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100, a modest showing compared to his earlier, more explosive successes like “Little Woman” or “Easy Come, Easy Go.” Yet, its chart position, while a minor footnote in his discography, belies the song’s quiet charm and the subtle narrative it weaves. It might not have been a smash, but for those who listened closely, it resonated with a different kind of truth.
The story behind “Oklahoma City Times” is less about a dramatic genesis and more about the thematic landscape that many of Bobby Sherman‘s songs explored: innocence, longing, and the yearning for connection. While there isn’t a widely publicized, specific anecdote detailing its creation, the song fits perfectly within the musical tapestry of the era, a time when soft rock and thoughtful lyrics were finding their place alongside more upbeat pop anthems. It’s a testament to the songwriting craft of its time, designed to evoke a sense of quiet introspection rather than boisterous celebration.
At its heart, “Oklahoma City Times” is a tender ballad about absence and the enduring power of memory. The lyrics paint a picture of a protagonist poring over an old newspaper, the titular Oklahoma City Times, and finding within its faded pages a connection to a lost love. It’s not a dramatic tale of heartbreak, but rather a gentle sigh of recollection, a quiet acknowledgment of a past relationship that, while over, still holds a significant place in the heart. The newspaper itself becomes a tangible link to a cherished time, a memento imbued with sentimental value. “And though the years have passed,” the song seems to whisper, “the feelings linger on, stirred by a simple headline or a familiar name.” It’s a beautifully understated exploration of how our lives are shaped by the people we’ve loved, even when they’re no longer physically present.
For those of us who grew up with Bobby Sherman‘s music, “Oklahoma City Times” holds a particular resonance. It speaks to the universal experience of looking back, of sifting through the archives of our own lives, whether they be old photographs, letters, or indeed, forgotten newspapers. It’s a reminder that even the most fleeting moments can leave an indelible mark, and that the echoes of past affections can still stir the soul, even decades later. It wasn’t the loudest song on the radio, nor the one that dominated the charts, but its gentle melody and poignant lyrics offered a quiet comfort, a moment of shared reflection in a world that often felt like it was spinning too fast. It’s a song that invites you to sit back, close your eyes, and remember a time when everything felt a little simpler, a little more innocent, and a lot more filled with the promise of youthful love. And sometimes, isn’t that just the perfect song to listen to, as the twilight deepens and memories softly unfurl?