I don’t know what triggered it. I hadn’t thought about it in literally decades, but suddenly this afternoon I couldn’t get it out of my head: The little ditty “Smokey the Bear.” I remembered the tune and all the words and the fact that it had been released by the US Forest Service.
What I’d forgotten until I dug it up on YouTube was that it was an entire short feature, or long public service announcement, in which Eddy Arnold sang the song. And what I’d remembered was only the chorus. But considering it was released in 1952 …
Yep, memory is funny. But the message is just as important today as it was back then. Especially in a state plagued by forest fires.
I saw a quiz show recently where the contestant answered “Smokey the bear.” Wrong, he was told. The bear’s name was simply Smokey Bear. Hrumph! We old folks know better.
I’d forgotten about that too. Great memory.
Honestly, I’ll bet it’s been 50 years or more since I thought of that song.
Wow, that is way back there. Makes me think of old Disney shows and the Mickey Mouse Club.
And you’ve reminded me of the Mouseketeers. Saw them live once at the Oklahoma State Fair in the middle of a dust storm.
Those were the days. 🙂
now, you’ve led me to remember it too, I haven’t thought of it in years!
I’d certainly forgotten everything else in the video. But that chorus really stuck with me. Maybe it was aired at other times in shorter forms. It’s rather tedious viewing now.
I always admired Eddie Arnold for his voice, what an amazing range! His “cattle call” is on my all-time favorites playlist. Never heard another singer attempt it.
Thanks to YouTube I was able to look up “Cattle Call.” I don’t recall having heard it before. I guess that’s a form of yodeling (?) but not like I normally think of it.