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Stewart, Rod
Isn't it interesting how in the ‘60s, nearly every record seemed to exude a sense of anticipation or optimism for the future while in the ‘70s, regret and nostalgia seemed to preside somewhere below the surface? The ‘60s were a decade of construction, invention, and searching for solutions to universal problems, but it crumbled before the ‘70s could get a grip on any type of continuity. Just a listing of what ceased to exist as the ‘70s set in is telling; first the Beatles, then Sly and the Family Stone, then Simon and Garfunkel, then Creedence Clearwater Revival, and then virtually every major Motown artist self-destructed rather than face the oncoming decade. In their place we got the Osmonds, Three Dog Night, Elton John and Grand Funk Railroad. The ‘60s had everybody trying to coexist and find a cause worthy of our energy. The ‘70s made us sober up, reflect on what the hell we were doing with our lives and decide to watch after our own interests.
"Maggie May" served as a perfect metaphor for the times, and its status as a #1 record for five weeks reflects just how many people related to the sentiment portrayed by the lyrics. Lester Bangs, perhaps the best rock critic of the ‘70s, sensed the narcissistic sangfroid of the lyrics and wrote a short story based on his own impressions of the song's two characters. His writing seriously colorized the lyrics, but it got me thinking that the song’s protagonist could have been any one of us. Had I been that age at that time, it is very possible that I too could have been susceptible to a relationship like the one described here. I actually might have known someone like Maggie May…
Maggie was the experienced lover who made me feel bigger and stronger than I did before. With her, I outgrew my inadequacies and my innocence and she played along as I developed into a self-assured and cocky near-adult. She was older, but she was no crone, even though I sometimes might have made her feel older than she really was. With her around, I felt confident in life. I probably even became a little selfish and misused her sometimes. I wanted to believe that I was all-powerful, but I knew that was just an illusion. Maggie worked, I went to school. Maggie tried to stay sober while I experimented with anything I could get my hands on. Maggie even stayed faithful (as far as I know), while I woke up next to God-knows-who how often, sometimes with Maggie in the same damn room. My innocence was shot to hell in the past few years. Of course, I would never admit that it was me who was leaning heavily on the relationship, maybe even using her, because that would have offended my fragile sense of masculinity. Besides, I had the gift of youth and she was the one tapping into my energy, right?
Well, after living together with Maggie for a while, things began to change. First of all, she wasn't treating me with any sort of respect - not that she ever did, mind you, but after spending so much time together, you'd think she'd learn to be grateful to me for having her around. Sometimes it seems like she disdains me outright, but then she always lapses into these crying jags for no reason at all. She used to be a real gas to have around, but now she's starting to bother me. Work makes her so tired that she never wants to go out anymore. She doesn't even take care of herself any longer. She just sits in front of the damned television night after night with a drink in her hand. With all of these birds hanging around who are closer to my age and giving me the eye, why should I be stuck baby-sitting for her? It's time I told her. We can't coast any longer. That's it, my mind is made up.
"Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you..."
Welcome to the 70's.
 
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