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| Top two from Ordinary People, bottom from the Show. |
She seemed to be everywhere in the 1970's. The optimism of the theme show percolated through the years. The image of her walking out down a busy street, with the iconic words by Sonny Curtis, was part of our life soundtracks.
Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
Well it's you girl, and you should know it
With each glance and every little movement you show it
Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can never tell, why don't you take it
You're gonna make it after all
You're gonna make it after all
How will you make it on your own?
This world is awfully big, girl this time you're all alone
But it's time you started living
It's time you let someone else do some giving
Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can never tell, why don't you take it
You might just make it after all
You might just make it after all
As the decade ended, it was her role in Ordinary People that struck the most painful chord. The 1980 movie about family separation, pain, suicide, and estrangement seemed to mirror our family. She was always distant from her son, who just wanted her support.
It was a performance of a person we all felt familiar with, that cold stare, that lingered.
Years later, we used to sing her theme song at every drag march.
As this unpermited parade kicked off in 2006, members reveled in their nether reality. “Love is all around, no need to waste it. You can have a town, why don’t you take it,” two or three men started to sing from the theme from the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Performed by queers in drag and genderfuck, the words took on an entirely different meaning. The sun had started to set in the summer sky. While few knew the previous words, most everyone joined for the crescendo, “You’re gonna make it after!!!! You’re gonna make it after all!” throwing their hands in the air, mimicking Mary Tyler Moore’s iconic gesture of freedom as the song concludes.
Thank you Mary:
You might just make it after all
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