For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for June 23, 2021

It is interesting that Michael found a song that duplicates his recent experience with Martha so accurately, including when he shouted (not YEAGHHHH) but AAUGHH.

Even the brothers Don and Phil Everly wrote a sentimental song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTkuNm_ZxU0

Sentimental; No. Get on with your life.

Heartbreak can even make “Hot Rod Lincoln” sound like a sad ballad.

Doesn’t look like ‘Elizabeth’ is too pleased with ’Mike’s’ music selection by her face in the first panel ! ! !

Mike, you have to be able to hear how the car is running, (engine noises, bumps, grinding sounds and that sort of stuff). Also you have to be able to hear the sirens of any emergency vehicle that might becoming towards you.

Ironic when that happens. Mike is in the dumps because he got dumped by his girl and the song comes on the radio about being dumped by your girl! Turn it up man! Let everybody within a mile hear my sorrow!

Like one of those uplifting country ballads about how your wife left you and your dog died!!

This must be Lynn Johnston’s way of telling everyone that she doesn’t like rap music..

Futurama, Fry is now in the year 3,000 and missing his former life. He is playing, “Baby got Back” by Sir-Mix-A-Lot.

Leela (the one eyed mutant) walks into the room and says, “Fry, why are you sitting here playing classical music all day?”

The volume is going to get Mike deaf.

It’s lonely out tonight. And the feelin’ just got right for a brand new love song. Somebody done somebody wrong song.

Hey, wontcha play another somebody done somebody wrong song. And make me feel at home while I miss my baby, while I miss my baby.

That thump thump music makes me tear up too.

Take away the thud, thud, boom “music” and add a line about how she took the dog with her, and some yodeling and you have a traditional country/western song from the 1980s

Or can make you cringe…..

I have “always” listened to a variety of music, after my wife of 34 years died recently I find just about any song can remind me of her in some way. It can even be a comment she made about not liking it.

“You just sorta, Stomped on my aorta!” – John Denver

I’ll never forget the first time I heard "All my exes live in Texas, that’s why I’m in Tennessee. Nearly wet my pants laughing!

Since mah baby left me

I found a new place to dwell

It’s down at the end of Lonely Street

It’s HeartBreak Hotel

LOL!!!!

Song applies to you Michael

Sentimental, or semi-mental?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOvBk1GuApk

Don’t know about young folks in this arc, but I go way back to “3 coins in a fountain” , & songs in the early 40s when music touched the soul gently.

Sentimental songs really DO touch hearts. Think a few years down the road when couples dance at their Golden Anniversary celebration to the strains of “Baby Got Back” because it was “their” song.

“And the story of us looks alot like a tragedy now!’

Years later, Martha’s son comes upon a strange world:

Sign: MICHAEL PATTERSON"S PLEASURE PALACE & CASINO Smoking Required

A video plays with different scenes of Michael

Narrator: "Michael Patterson, Canada’s greatest hero. Learn of his contribution to Millborough. From his great-grandfather, Buford “Mad Dog” Patterson to today, the Pattersons have made themselves known. Learn about how a trip to the racetrack on his 21st birthday made him a millionaire overnight."

Scene showing headlines about Michael

Headline #1: MR. LUCKY WINS AGAIN

Narrator: Learn about how he parlayed that fortune into a corporate empire known to all as PatterCo. And how in 2039 he convinced the Ontario government to legalize gambling, turning Millborough into the thriving gambling city we know today.

Headline #2: GAMBLING LEGALIZED IN ONTARIO

Narrator: "Meet the women who shared in his passion as he searched for true love.

First scene shows Michael married to Estella Warren

Second scene shows Michael married to Reese Witherspoon

“And relive Michael’s happiest moment, as, in 2033, he realized his lifelong dream by marrying his high school sweetheart, Martha McRae”

Third scene is a photograph of Martha surrounded by a heart

Fourth scene is a video of Michael walking out of a church with a reluctant Martha on his arm. Michael grins into the camera.

Michael: “Third time’s the charm!”

Michael turns and kisses Martha full on the mouth. Video ends

Martha’s Son: “Mom married him?! NO!! I must be dreaming!”

I know what you mean. Ugh!