"Should I Stay, or Should I Go?"

I was doing a bit of grocery shopping in the burbs this weekend. I don’t live in the burbs, but occasionally I find myself outside the confines of the safe, urban jungle; knee deep in the pretty, pink and prostituted world of the...suburbs (heavy organ music inserted here).... I’m usually in need of one item or another from the grocery store and before I know it, I find myself pulling into a strip mall; lured and romanced by some large and bright neon sign; promising me fresh meat, dairy and produce.

You know the place, right? Rows and rows of parking spaces are filled with mini-vans and large SUV’s. I can usually find a parking spot for my practical and paid for car though, because I don’t really mind walking the short distance to and from the parking lot. Exercise is good and there’s no need to be that close to the front door.

As I was pushing my shopping cart through the natural food section when…suddenly... I heard a long forgotten tune…. Could it be? No, it’s not possible, Neve. You're in the burbs. I am not at my quaint and funky grocery store close to my home, where its customary to stand in line with people paying for their food with food stamps, but…but…I’m hearing the Clash’s, Should I Stay or Should I Go.

Gasp!

I pinched myself; making sure this wasn’t a dream state. I did consume a lot of wine the night before. I heard the familiar lyrics, “darling, you gotta let me know, should I stay or should I go?” Fuck yeah! It was raining punk rock right down on all the busy, moms and dads as they reached for frozen foods, or read peanut butter jar labels. Filling, selecting, grabbing and squeezing as they shopped for their groceries, “It’s always tease, tease, tease, you’re happy when I’m on my knees.” I was stunned. I looked up; waiting for the lighting bolt to strike, or pigs to fly; I’m not really sure, but something was amiss. “I AM IN THE SUBURBS AND I’M LISTENING TO THE CLASH”, my mind was consumed with this novelty.

I know, I’m weird. What can I say? But, come on, you have to admit, when grocery shopping in the burbs, the music is usually elevator-like, at best. Maybe you can hope for a real swinging, step-up, like smooooooth jazz (barf!). Calming and soft; there's no need to upset any heavily medicated shoppers. How else could you live in the burbs without some type of prescription? I was listening to Mick Jones sing his heart out over his declining relationship with Meatloaf’s backup singer, Ellen Foley and I was in the Burbs.

Holy Crap.

If I hadn’t of been there, I would have never believed it. Well, here ya go. You have my permission to sing your heart out this weekend while your shopping for groceries. It appears that it’s okay to sing punk rock on a Saturday in Ohio (This is the Midwest, not California) at a suburban grocery store.

I’ll be damned and dippy-dooed!


“darling, you gotta let me know
should I stay or should I go?
If you say that you are mine
I'll be there till the end of time
So you gotta let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
I'll always tease,tease,tease
you're happy when I'm on my knees
one day is fine and the next is black
so if you want me off your back
well, come on and let me know
should I stay or should I go?
chorus:Should I stay or should i go now?
Should I stay or should i go now?
if I go there will be trouble
and if I stay it will be double
so come on and let me know

The indecisions bugging me
(esta un decision me molesta)
if you don't want me ste me free
(Si no quieres librame)
Exactly who I'm supposed to be
(Diga me que tengo ser)
Don't you know which clothes even fits me?
(saves que robas me querida)
Come on and let me know
(Me tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I blow?
(Me debo ir o quedarme)”

p.s. The image above was too cool to pass up. It's from the 7" single, and yep, that's a picture of Ronny Reagan. The album; Combat Rock.