Although I’m not much of a shopper, in at least a few respects I’m lucky to live near Willow Grove Park, a huge three-level shopping mall in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For instance, I like to go there now and then to gaze at its clean yet kaleidoscopic interior design and to marvel at the massive quantities of goods that its stores contain. I don’t think that the USA is anywhere close to being an idyllic land of milk and honey, but, as the mall demonstrates, there is no shortage of products in this country.
As things have turned out though, probably the main reason that I enjoy having Willow Grove Park close at hand is that it occasionally becomes story fodder for my blog. When I began this publication in 2015, never would have I expected that such would be the case. But I sure as shit am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. The story that you now are reading is the result of my latest visit to the mall. That visit took place on a recent, dreary, rain-dominated Thursday.
The mall was on my mind that day mainly because I wanted to take a walk. For the past eleven months, you see, I’ve been walking regularly for health-related reasons, four or five times per week and almost always outdoors. But an outdoors trek would have been unwise, as the rains were descending not in trickles but in f*cking buckets. Striding purposefully through the mall, an enclosed structure, though? Yes!
Due to the pandemic, the businesses in Willow Grove Park (excepting its two restaurants, which were allowed to sell take-out orders), along with almost countless other businesses state-wide, were ordered by Pennsylvania’s governor to close in mid-March. The lockdown eventually was partly lifted, the mall reopening on June 26. Arriving there at 11:25 AM on the wet Thursday in question, I was curious about the mall’s state of affairs four months post-reopening. How much damage had the pandemic inflicted?
Well, while spending 45 minutes walking the mall’s every avenue and byway, I saw a fairly decent number of people shopping and wandering, possibly about the same number that you’d find on a similar off-day during normal times. As for store vacancies, there were five or six, not the many more that I was half-expecting. However, several stores hadn’t opened for the day, which was not a good sign. Possibly they were on the verge of throwing in the towel altogether.
A truly bad scene, and probably indicative of the mall’s overall financial health, was the food court. There were not many customers at all, even though it was lunch time when I walked past that busy-in-normal-times area. It was sad to see the court’s businesses doing poorly. And, of course, millions of businesses worldwide are in the same boat, due to coronavirus. On any number of occasions I’ve said the obvious on these pages, and I’ll say it again: We need an effective vaccine pronto. It’s time for the suffering to diminish significantly.
But I’m not going to end this essay on a down note. How could I, seeing that I listened to an episode of The Many Moods Of Ben Vaughn, a terrific music podcast, as I walked through the mall? It put a whole lot of pep in my step and prevented me from getting anywhere near bummed out.
In that episode, which is from September 27, 2020, Vaughn spins the original versions of songs subsequently made famous by other artists. A large bunch of them jumped out at me. But let’s limit that bunch to three. Otherwise I’ll be here all day, and nobody, including me, would be in favor of that. The three songs are Louie Louie, Boys, and Do Wah Diddy.
Here are some facts: The infamous Louie Louie, an enormous hit for The Kingsmen in 1963, was originally recorded by Richard Berry And The Pharaohs way before that, in 1957 to be precise. Berry also penned the composition. The Beatles included Boys (written by Luther Dixon and Wes Farrell) on their first album in 1963, and popularized the tune, but the initial recording was in 1960 by The Shirelles. It was the B-side of their single whose A-side was wildly popular — Will You Love Me Tomorrow? And although Manfred Mann’s 1964 version of Do Wah Diddy (a composition by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich) conquered the world, the song’s first appearance was a recording by The Exciters one year earlier.
The tracks by Berry, The Shirelles and The Exciters rock, roll and rouse. Day-brighteners, they appear below. I think you’ll like ’em. Okay, boys and girls, that’s a wrap. As I almost always mention, please don’t be shy about adding any comments that you might have. Goodbye till next time!
Yeah, Another Blogger 
It sounds like a vaccine is on the way. 🙂 Like you, I want this vicious damn virus kicked to the kerb.
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At least several vaccines will be approved eventually, it seems. This virus has been bad, bad news.
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We all do Lynette
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2020 has been a year that nobody will forget.
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Unforgettable for all the wrong reasons
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it goes up and down here, in Sweden, too. I mean with business, shops, food. I think it will continue till the day we’ll get a proper working vaccine. Hopefully, soon – 2021!
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Hi. Coronavirus cases are increasing dramatically all over the USA. It’s a very bad situation.
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Yes, very sad 😞. Stay safe!
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The build a bear shop looks interesting. Not that I want to build a bear but clearly, some people must do!
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That’s one of the stores that wasn’t open the day I was there. It’s gates were in place.
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Must have been a bit of a blow . .
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Great stuff. Where would we be without music, eh! Sadly, the scene you paint is similar in most parts of the globe, but hugely promising news re the antidote/cure, and Joe Biden’s success as President. Congratulations.Those feet are made for walkin..’ Take care. cheers! x .
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It’s a relief to have had Biden elected. Unlike Trump, he is a normal person. Trump is despicable.
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Certainly, many smaller businesses are likely to close here in Ireland and, for the first time, online spending has exceeded physical shopping. We haven’t visited the supermarket (groceries) since early March but have ordered online and had all delivered. We certainly are spending less that last year as we are out less and I imagine this spending pattern is commonplace which means there is less money moving about for the economy in general.
There is hope with the news of vaccine development.
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Hi. Yes, hopefully one or more of the vaccines will provide long-lasting immunity.
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Enjoyed this post and know that mall. Yes, it’s terrible what’s happening to our stores. I’m not much of a mall fan to begin with—I still blame the Lehigh Valley Mall for killing Hess’s and the rest of downtown Allentown, the Viewmont Mall for destroying downtown Scranton, etc., etc. That doesn’t mean my heart doesn’t ache for everyone affected and for the state of retail in general. It was as if the pandemic drove the final stake in its heart. But tides turn, as we know. As for the music, I am just old enough to remember the originals. How wonderful to give them the credit they’re do!
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Hi Angela. Thanks for stopping by. I learned today that a rock and roll venue (Boot And Saddle) in Philadelphia has decided to close permanently. The pandemic is merciless.
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I haven’t been in the mall since before pandemic. I like your photos and always enjoy your music.
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Many thanks, Joyce. Appreciated.
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Here in Alberta humans use the mall for winter walking…there is an actual program for mall walkers…we have lots of ice so it also makes sense…I’ve heard several shops closing in malls…I see much empty on our streets lots for lease…I imagine there will *new* ideas and ways of using space here…take care Neil have a joyful walk ~ smiles hedy ☺️❄️💫
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Hey there. Eventually the pandemic will end, or ease up significantly. I hope that the performing arts then will return in pretty full force. I miss music venues, stage theaters, movie theaters, etc.
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Oh yes we do as well…and now we’ll be indoors more and zoom concerts just don’t feel the same…some things do however seem to work fine on zoom…I miss swimming…sending all good things your way Neil ~ smiles hedy ☺️💫
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Great music to listen to as you talk a mall walk during pandemic. I’m sure you’ve heard the good news about the promise of vaccine that is 90 percent effective. Can’t come soon enough! How I long to see my children. It’s been nearly a year.
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Right, I saw some pieces about that vaccine on TV. Something that nobody knows is for how long the vaccine would provide immunity —- something else to worry about.
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Yup. Sigh!
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The owners of newly renovated Fashion District Mall in downtown Philly (nee The Gallery) have declared bankruptcy. I, for one, think the time of large indoor malls has come and gone. I hope people turn to local businesses and NOT Amazon. Keep that pep in your step, Neil!
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Hey, Debra. I have nothing against malls. But I also like to see local businesses do well. Towns and cities go south fast when local businesses don’t do well.
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As always you’ve extended my musical range. I’ve heard all three of these, but not by the originals. The versions I know are, in the order you’ve presented them, by Blondie, George Harrison with George Harrison (have you heard it? I think it’s my favourite), and finally, of course, Manfred Man. I really like these originals, so thank you.
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Louie Louie is, I’ve read, one of the most-covered of all songs. And I’ve also read that its composer (Richard Berry) sold away the rights to the song for a pittance.
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ooh, painful!
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That was ingenious…to use the mall to keep up your walking when the weather was vile!
I still can’t get my head around those malls….endless walking, stairs and lifts…I need one of those conveyor systems they use in airports…..it is all just too big for me.
Small businesses are really struggling, no footfall means no business, while the big online operations are coining it in. Will the malls survive if businesses cannot afford their rents?
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Greetings, Helen. Brick and mortar businesses have been on somewhat shaky ground for quite a few years, because of online shopping. The pandemic has made things a lot worse for them.
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Not fussy about malls, but those songs are definitely ‘earworms’.
Nice piece.
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Hi there. You might want to listen to the podcast I mentioned in the story —- The Many Moods Of Ben Vaughn. He plays loads of real good songs.
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Good for you that you can stroll through your local mall on a rainy day! It’s been ages since I’ve been to my favorite local mall. It would be filled with shoppers at this time of year.
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Hi. I was able to keep my distance from people when I was at the mall recently. But if the mall had been crowded, I probably wouldn’t have stayed —- too much chance of coming in contact with the virus.
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I remember the Beatles “Boys” – I didn’t realize it had been recorded previously. Interesting.
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Hey, JT. The episode of Ben Vaughn’s podcast that I listened to at the mall was very interesting, because he played the original versions of songs that other people had bigger hits with. Vaughn’s show always is good, but it normally doesn’t have a theme like that.
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Interesting observations, as always, Neil! I honestly can’t remember the last time I went to the nearby mall, and I suspect it will be a while longer. Great music that I didn’t realize existed!
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Greetings, Becky. I don’t go to the mall very often, but I almost always find it to be an interesting experience. Take care. See ya.
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Yes, it sure can be!
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The music would be an odd contrast to the atmosphere of your surroundings, Love the music, I’m sorry to say if I listened to music whilst out I wouldn’t be able to walk a extremely embarrassing awkward dance walk would occur completely out of my control. Love the music. lol.
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You know, I never thought of dancing a bit while walking with music playing in my ears. I’d probably be embarrassed too, but what the heck!
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Had no idea Do Wah Diddy was not a Manfred Mann original! You live and learn. Must be good to know Pennsylvania is on everyone’s lips right now. For good reason!
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Trump is indescribably awful. What a total jerk. The normal people of the world owe Joe Biden a giant Thank You for entering the race.
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Sanity has prevailed. Or it will have once he is dragged out kicking and screaming!
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Well, the mall does indeed look EMPTY, but I was staggered just by the thought of a mall being open. I guess you’re a pioneer of sorts, Neil. Seriously, I have no idea what America–or any place else in the world–will look like when the COVID clears and the fallout settles. I’m hoping there’s still a “downtown” and restaurants and theatre. BUT we have taken the essential first step. 472 billion, 983 million, 744,000 of us said NO MORE OF THE ORANGE-HAIRED BLEACH-CURE SALESMAN! And that’s a GREAT start. Thanks too for the doo-wop-she-bop. Stay well!
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Trump is horrible 24/7. He’s a mutant.
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I fear you are being too kind. But I understand that you must stick to something “printable” here.
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We in Canada have been a little smug about our ability to feel safer during the pandemic than our neighbours to the south, however, things are getting worse here as well these days. So many businesses have closed forever, and now new restrictions have been issued, so I doubt I’ll be visiting any mall soon.
Here’s to better things for us all…
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I guess I don’t understand why the virus is spreading like crazy again. I’m not sure that anyone is certain about that. Effective vaccines cannot arrive soon enough.
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Hello Neil, Thank you for a walk up the mall and down music history lane. Have a good day. Jerry
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Evening, Jerry. I’m glad you joined me!
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Thank you for another delightful music lesson!
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Greetings, Paula. There’s so much good music out there. And loads of it gets lost in the shuffle. Have a good rest of the week. I appreciate your stopping by.
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Walking around listening to Ben Vaughn spin records, I’m a little bit envious. I know Ben well but not his show. You make me wonder how many other cool things I’m missing. I guess I cant catch them all. Enjoyed the tunes.
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His show is good. He has eclectic tastes in music. I’ve listened to a lot of episodes while taking my walks.
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The owner of three of our largest malls in St. Louis has filed for bankruptcy…not a good sign at all. My husband is an accountant, so he understands these things far better than I do, and he is beyond scared at what is happening to our economy. As you say, we need a vaccine and effective treatments, pronto. And that’s just to stop further damage.
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The situation is bewildering and dangerous. This virus has changed human behavior, killed hundreds of thousands, and thrown much of society out of whack.
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Our very modestly size mall has been stagnant for at least a decade. The pandemic seems to have had little effect on that status. The food sellers no longer have seating. It’s carry-out only. Hopefully the mall will outlast the pandemic and get a boost from people eager to resume their lives.
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Hello there. When all is said and done, the economic damage caused by the virus will be incredible. It already is.
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It’s true malls have become much more than shopping places. Lots of people use them for walking, a safe place with decent weather and few hills. That will be missed.
Me, I’m not into consumerism so all this eating out and buying stuff never has appealed to me. I won’t miss malls for those reasons. But, what happens to all the jobs and the money in the local economy. It’s complicated, innit.
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The economic effects of the virus have been devastating. So many industries have been badly damaged: hotels, airlines, movie theaters, music venues, etc., etc. It is very sad and hard to believe.
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I am stunned that it’s come to this.
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As much as I abhor the malling of America, I sympathize with the many small businesses trying to make a go of it in a corporate landscape. Thanks for walking it & bringing the potential of music to our ears.
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So many businesses are hanging on by a thread these days. It’s tragic.
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We speak the same language, river. Can’t handle the rampant consumerism and sterile homogeneity of shopping malls, although I do feel sympathy for the little guy who eked out a living in those pods, and now suffers. And Neil, I’m glad you’re tripping to some good music there. (I always thought “Richard Berry” was a member of The Kingsmen…thx for setting me straight.)
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Greetings, Pete. Berry wrote a song that will live forever. Louie Louie has been recorded countless times, and has been played in concert even more times than that.
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I too live near a large shopping mall Neil. Like all retail places, it is struggling. It is good news this week that a vaccine might be around the corner. Thanks for including these great old tunes.
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Hi Lynne. Thanks for stopping by. A vaccine can’t arrive soon enough!
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I think I prefer the Exciters version. There, I’ve said it!
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I agree with you. It’s great.
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Your mall looks very much like ours but the food courts are busier. I really miss walking the mall in the winter or summer (when it is too hot) and smiling at people!
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Next year, hopefully!
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😁
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what a musical treat! thanks Neil for that 🙂 incidentally social distancing is still practised here in South Australia, especially in Food Courts, even though we have had no community cases of Covid for a long, long time. It’s become the new norm.
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I hope that your area continues to remain virus-free. Infections are increasing a lot in much of the USA.
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Wow! I hadn’t heard this episode of Ben’s podcast, and I wasn’t aware of the original recordings of any of the songs you wrote about. I think all three of them are better than their more popular covers! The way they differ was fun to hear. All that time we (or at least I!) wasted as teenagers trying to figure out the slurred, supposedly lewd lyrics to Louie Louie, and they’re not even mildly suggestive! The sax in Boys is smokin’, and The Exciters sing Do Wah Diddy with a whole lot more pep than Manfred Mann. Now I want to listen to the whole episode. So glad you posted this! Music can really lift many moods, especially these days.
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Hi Cindy. Vaughn’s podcast often keeps me company when I go out for walks. He has wide tastes and plays loads of pretty obscure songs. Both you and I are big fans of his show. I hope that he appreciates that!! — (just kidding)
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Glad you have a nice place to walk in inclement weather, Neil.
The mall is a popular place for it in winter.
Great trip down music’s memory lane.
I bet folks would be surprised at the number of hits that are covers, essentially, often of recordings by the composers.
More often than not, the recordings we associate with hits are not performed by the writer.
Stay dry, and safe.
Paz
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Thanks for stopping by, Paz. If you aren’t familiar with Ben Vaughn’s music podcast, you might want to give it a try. It’s good.
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Well, that was a trip down memory lane! Had me dancing in my bedroom!
You’re braver than I, Neil. I wouldn’t go near a mall at this point—though it’s such a tragedy that these stores aren’t getting the help they need to stay afloat.
I read your comment about the rain quickly and thought you’d written Peking buckets—wondered what the hell that referred to. Second reading clarified…
Since I accidentally deleted this post, I had to hunt you down, so WP doesn’t recognize me. I’ll have to fill in all the info as if I were a first-timer. Even worse, it won’t let me link or you, which is totally untrue! Cheers!
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Hi. You had to go through a rigamarole with WordPress. I’m glad you found your way here. I run into WP glitches too. For instance, the articles by a few bloggers who I follow don’t appear in my Reader. Anyway, have an excellent day. See ya.
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…and you realize I meant to type that I couldn’t Like you, not “link or you.” Right?
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LOL . . . I’ve forgotten we had malls. I haven’t been in one . . . well . . . since the pandemic reared its ugly head.
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My area is a shopper’s paradise. Within eight miles of my house are just about every store imaginable.
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Yes, sad to see so many shop units closed. I think they’ll carry on trading until the end of the financial year, at a loss, then see how things go – Hopefully a vaccine will bring a bit more economic hope.
Great set of songs from a very specific era. Good to hear the originals.
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The supermarkets in my area, and maybe smaller food stores, seem to be doing fine these days. I’m not sure how many other types of businesses can say the same.
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Your tuneful post put some pep in my step. Thank you!
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Hi Kim. I’m a bit low on pep this morning, so I just started on my third cup of coffee. It will help!
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So odd to see such empty walkways and stores. My son is working retail for the season and most orders are online–so at least people are still planning on holiday gift giving.
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So many retail stores have it very rough. And when any of them close, many jobs are lost. It’s bad news.
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Good to hear that you turned your depressing thoughts about the mall’s financial health into something more upbeat listening to the music podcast. I quizzed my hubby on your facts and the only one he missed was The Exciters. Great tunes!
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Hi. I’m glad I discovered Ben Vaughn’s podcasts earlier this year. They have given me a lot of enjoyment.
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There’s pretty much no higher note to end on that do-wop, is there?
I used to get a special hair product up the street that I can’t get anywhere else, and even BEFORE the pandemic, I would wonder how that little store stayed in business. Nobody was ever in it. So, of course, I went up there last week…..
Closed. Gone.
Even IF it had been a front for something else, whoever it was (theoretically) fronting for didn’t even have the wherewithal to continue during these unprecedented times.
Vaccine can’t come fast enough, as you say.
Ciao.
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Evening, Stacey. I have a feeling that several vaccines will be approved within a few months of one another. Within 6 to 10 months, the virus situation probably will be much less problematic than it is now.
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Hi Neil! Your share has caused me to rethink just where we are now vs where we have been. Overall, we are being redefined within limitations.🤔
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Right, nearly everyone has had to make adjustments in the way they approach life, and in their dealings with other people. Some of these changes will remain, I believe, even after the virus is no longer a major threat.
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I agree Neil but on the other hand, things look pretty bleak with other threats of intrusions. I really appreciate your continual optimism and creativity during these COVID times. 👍👍💕
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Our ‘old’ life and liberties have changed forever or at least until a vaccine is invented. But, what happens if the virus mutates…
Here in Australia, our borders have been shut since March and only just reopening to certain states. Our government is advising that OS travel won’t be happening until end of 2021, unless a vaccine is available.
At least we can walk around freely, masks are not obligatory unless you’re in the vulnerable group, and our cases are low compared to many countries. Australia hasn’t been as strict as New Zealand, but it’s working. The proof is in the numbers.
Stay safe!
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Hi Nilla. I’m in the USA. Cases are rising steeply here. It’s a real bad situation.
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Yes, we read about it here everyday but also the UK, India, Brazil, and other countries.
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It is enjoyable to walk around inside of a mall and listen to the music that plays. In Springfield, Ohio, where we lived before moving to Washington state, the mall was pretty much closed, but one or two stores were still open, and the building was open. The people running the mall would even decorate it for Christmas.
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That mall in Ohio probably hasn’t survived the pandemic. I hope that the mall near me somehow continues to hang in there.
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Do all malls look the same, Neil?! This one looks just like King of Prussian mall. Maybe they can sell vaccines at the mall. ;0)
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Hi. Maybe multi-level malls look more or less the same. I suppose they aim for an open, airy look. There used to be an amusement park and a huge bowling alley where the mall is now. That was a pretty long time ago.
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Sorry Neil, I’m late. It was sad that the food business is suffering. The situation is similar here. Hotels, airlines and hospitality business are really suffering with closures and massive layoffs. I listened to the three songs. They were vibrant and uplifting. Autumn Leaves by Eva Cassidy, which you included in one of your previous posts, has become my definite favourite. I also listen to I’d Rather Go Blind by Etta James and My One And Only Love by John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman. Have a great week. Catch up soon.
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This pandemic is incredibly destructive. There have been reports over the last week about vaccines that appear to be effective. They might be approved soon. We shall see. Hi Isabelle, and thanks for adding your thoughts. See ya!
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Walk down Memory Lane, thanks from this Boomer. That’s how the music sounded on our transistor radios in 1960. Fresh, new, happy. Love the Shirelles!
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Hey there. Transistor radios! I hadn’t thought about them in a while. I wish I still owned one.
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The food and hotel industry is badly hit, though surprisingly car business is touching new heights.But I am too tired of this virus now, always living in fear is becoming never-ending.
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Hello. It appears that two or more vaccines probably will be approved pretty soon. The world needs coronavirus vaccines ASAP.
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I used to live near Philly, and was overwhelmed by King of Prussia. I love your choice in tunes!
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Hi Jeff. The K of P area is a nightmarish assortment of highways and other roads. It’s easy to miss a turn, and you’re in trouble if you do.
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Good idea to go mall walking Neil and thanks for the tunes!
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I’m glad I started listening to Ben Vaughn’s show. He plays lots of good songs. See ya!
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