Me, back in the day…
I wish somebody would write a song about a news editor that captured the way it felt when that was my vocation.
Closest I could find was “Newspapers” from Stan Ridgway (singer from Wall of Voodoo. Remember “Mexican Radio”?). He at least made an effort to see it the newsman’s way.
It was stressful, always being “on.” You never had enough help, but you got it done anyway. It wasn’t something you did, it was something you were. Until one day, you weren’t…
Stan Ridgway – Newspapers
Most songs about the news business take journalists to task for their bias – as we all should. But there’s another side: Staying till the end of a late night meeting so they wouldn’t slip something past you, driving pages to press yourself after an all-nighter, running racks on country roads late into the night.
I still can’t find a song about newsmen as good as “Wichita Lineman.” It’s not about us, but it captures some of that lonesome yet rewarding feeling. I tear up every time I hear that line, “I need you more than want you and I want you for all time.”
Yep, that was me, for a while. Sadly, “all time” is not something you can have.
I feel like songwriter Jimmy Webb would’ve understood. I like Glen Campbell’s version best, Friends of Dean Martinez’s spacey instrumental is also incredible.
Friends of Dean Martinez – Wichita Lineman
Late Boomer's Den 
2 responses to “News editors are people too”
That is such an amazing line from Wichita Lineman, I agree. It’s a beautiful song.
By the way… Wall of Voodoo’s Mexican Radio… thanks for the song reference. I haven’t heard that song in decades. It brought back good memories
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Gets me in the feels every time. Thanks for reading!
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