Soundtrack of My Life

"Pleasant Valley Sunday" by the Monkees

Day 6, just another Pleasant Valley Sunday.

"Pleasant Valley Sunday" by The Monkees

Your local rock group down the street
Is trying hard to learn this song
To serenade the weekend squire
Just came out to mow his lawn

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Charcoal burnin' everywhere
Rows of houses that are all the same
And no one seems to care

See Mrs. Gray she's proud today
Because her roses are in bloom
And Mr. Green he's so serene
He's got a TV in every room

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Here in status symbol land
Mothers complain about how hard life is
And the kids just don't understand

Creature comfort goals
They only numb my soul
And make it hard for me to see
My thoughts all seem to stray to places far away
I need a change of scenery

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Charcoal burning everywhere
Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Here in status symbol land
Another Pleasant Valley Sunday

Written by Carole King and then made famous by the Monkees, this catchy little number captures the feeling of stagnation and monotony of middle-class suburban life. Rows of cookie-cutter houses, keeping up with the Jones', doing the same chores and seeing the same people day in and day out. A life that looks pleasant and perfect on the surface, but is actually soul-crushingly boring. Not just boring, but there's incredible pressure to keep up appearances, impress the neighbors, and sweep anything unpleasant under the rug. If you've seen the movie "Pleasantville", it has a very similar message. Only, without the infamous guitar riff and awesome harmonies.

I don't live out in the suburbs, but I can relate to the feeling. People aren't made for that level of monotony. Our brains crave novelty and stimulation, and without that, things start to go wrong. Some people need more than others, and some people are perfectly content in their routines and don't like change. Nothing wrong with that. But for some, it can feel suffocating, like you're trapped. I think I was getting to that point. Fortunately, although I didn't plan on moving and wasn't particularly happy about it, I did end up with a change of scenery. I think I am better off for it.

Anni