Yesterday, I was trying to synchronize video footage I'd taken of fireworks displays in past years with patriotic music. I'd think, "This excerpt of fireworks is shorter than the others, and it isn't the finale, so that requires a short track, such as Pete Seeger's version of 'America The Beautiful.' This highlight covers a longer section, so I should be able to play Simon & Garfunkel's live version of Paul Simon's 'American Tune' under it. This segment shows a lot of brightly colored, explosive fireworks, so perhaps 'Liberty Fanfare' by John Williams, which sounds majestic and conjures up images of soaring eagles, would be appropriate. And, during this stretch, some uptempo music would help plug the gaps between fireworks; 'American Music' by The Pointer Sisters works there..."
Then, I thought, "I'm not coordinating a community production here. I'm only doing this for myself. I should just sit back, enjoy the fireworks, play American-themed music semi-randomly, and just take this in."
I took my own advice--to some extent. I mean, as much as I like Beegie Adair's subtle rendition of "God Bless America" on the piano, it's under three minutes long and this excerpt of fireworks is nearly three-and-a-half minutes. There would be no music for nearly 30 seconds, and that, of course, would just be madness. Well, maybe not. After all, I enjoyed all these fireworks displays in person without music, originally.
Perhaps Paul Simon was onto something when he wrote "Think Too Much."
