Paul Turner: The deeper meaning of ‘Blue Skies’

A reader in Cheney sent an email Tuesday blaming me for a song getting stuck in his head.

“Ever since I read your column this morning I’ve been singing ‘Nothing but blue skies, do I see,’” wrote Jerry Hilton. “People think I’ve lost it.”

Well, Jerry, you might have. One never knows. But the song to which you allude, “Blue Skies” by the great Irving Berlin of “White Christmas” fame, is an undeniable classic.

It is such a revered standard that, in view of this week’s air quality, I believe it deserves the “American Pie” treatment.

When I was a high school student in the early ’70s, immersed in a dedication to scholarship and upright living, a radio disc jockey treated listeners to a lyric-by-lyric analysis of that Don McLean song.

Well, now it’s my turn. Let’s unearth the hidden meanings buried in “Blue Skies” and consider how that 1926 tune might have eerily forecast our current smoke-filled Inland Northwest reality.

Blue skies smiling at me

Nothing but blue skies do I see

This clearly predicts legalized marijuana and presages Spokane lingering in a delusional “happy place” where our many citizen drug users maintain an equanimity even at a time when breathing is ill-advised.

The second line undoubtedly alludes to a willful denial and self-praise that some in our midst have embraced as a way to cope with the Lilac City’s daunting challenges when it comes to educational attainment, incomes and respiration.

Blue birds singing a song

Nothing but blue skies from now on

The first line must be a reference to Spokane’s own Bing Crosby, who recorded a version of “Blue Skies.”

The second line is a restatement of the theme that foul air is nothing to get choked up about.

Never saw the sun shining so bright

Never saw things going so right

That’s an obvious allusion to the fact that, shortly after dawn Tuesday, you could briefly look directly at the sun because the gunk-filled atmosphere acted as a protective filter.

The second lyric in the stanza suggests that, at least as far as the air quality is concerned, things pretty much have to get better.

Noticing the days hurrying by

When you’re in love, my how they fly

I’m guessing this is more marijuana riffing.

Blue days, all of them gone

Nothing but blue skies from now on

Here we have an existential yearning for autumn and the cool breezes that make leaves flutter and push the clouds and conspiratorial chemtrails.

Blue skies smiling at me

Nothing but blue skies do I see

Irving Berlin cannot have known this in 1926. But the optimism expressed here perfectly envisions how the Spokane area might well look to the future. Once the smoke clears and we can see again, that is.

Bluebirds singing a song

Nothing but blue skies from now on

The key is believing. That’s what this says. Even when smoke gets in your eyes. But that’s another song altogether.

Is Idaho part of the Northwest?

“I’m thinking, yes,” wrote Jim Wavada. “I have always considered the Northwest to be everything west of the Missouri River and north of Utah, Nevada and California.”

He went on. “Of course, I include all of British Columbia in my definition of the Northwest. Could we figure out a way to buy British Columbia and western Alberta, eh?”

Jim had a thought. “Maybe we could trade Vermont and Maine?”

Hmmm. Not sure the Canadians would go for that. If someone north of the border starts counting up square kilometers that might be a non-starter. Better plan on throwing in New Hampshire, too. At least.

But perhaps the Canadians could be enticed with visions of lobsters, maple syrup, “Live Free or Die” stickers and other treats from northern New England (soon to be New Canada).

Though I don’t suppose Vermont would continue to observe Bennington Battle Day on Aug. 16. That’s Thursday, for those who enjoy celebrating kicking the British in the tails of their red coats.

What would we get? Well, many would agree that Vancouver is one of North America’s premier cities. And think of how our non-Alaska bear population would suddenly seem robustly healthy.

The addition of western Alberta would mean all sorts of glorious parks, mountains and lakes would become American territory.

But boy, it would really mess up the map.