# Standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 1, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727 "2003-04-01T16:05:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![leafrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cab0a1/32.png) [@leafrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leafrog)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2003, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/41 "2003-04-02T06:24:22Z")
I once was in Don McLean’s _Starry, Starry Night_ while driving from Beloit, WI to central Mass. About 18 years ago, a college friend and had driven all night fueled by Jolt and it was about 5:30 am, cold cold March morning, just driving into the Berkshires…the sky was a deep rich blue color and the morning star was so bright, looking down on a valley covered in snow and small houses with smoke coming out of their chimneys and the song came on the mixed tape and it was perfect. I have the image firmly stamped in my head. ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2003, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/42 "2003-04-02T06:31:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fern Forest \* > \*\*I did leave it all behind and flew to Lahaina. Of course the Missionaries sailed there. > > That’s about it. Honolulu, HI, Tucson, AZ, Denton, TX, Manhattan, KS. People just don’t sing too much about those places. \*\* Don’t sell yourself short, in **Shock Treatment** , the little known sequel to Rocky Horror, there are several songs about Denton. So there ya go… So, anybody else eaten at Alice’s restaraunt? I did when I was a kid but don’t remember. My parents worked so hard to provide me with memories and all for nothing. Saw Arlo in concert, though. He was freaking amazing… Tenebras ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2003, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/43 "2003-04-02T06:34:29Z")
Oh, nevermind. I’m pretty sure it was Denton, Ohio. Damn. ---
**Author:** ![lastcomic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dc4da7/32.png) [@lastcomic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lastcomic)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2003, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/44 "2003-04-02T06:57:01Z")
I stood on a corner in Winslow Arizona once. I made the guy driving stop so I could hop out and stand on it. And no flatbed Ford came. I’ve also been from Tucson to Tucumcari, Tehachapi to Tonapah. Although I haven’t driven every kind of rig that’s ever been made, if you had given me weed, whites and wine at that time I would probably have been willin’ to do all kinds of crap. The Last Comedian ---
**Author:** ![Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2003, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/45 "2003-04-02T08:53:41Z")
Odd thing… Please be forewarned, more than a couple folks might find this a bit tasteless, or insensitive. It concerns NYC, and the events of 09/11/01. Billy Joel’s Miami 2017 _I’ve seen the lights go out on Broadway._ It was a brown out, and only lasted a couple minutes. This was years before… _I saw the Empire State laid low/I saw the ruins at my feet._ Well, yeah, the obvious. _(That was) Before we all lived here in Florida…_ Although we’re not in Miami. Haven’t even thought about that song in… quite a while. Happened to throw the tape in the deck t’other day, and about halfway through the song, realized the (tenous) connections I was hearing. ---
**Author:** ![Lure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@Lure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lure)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2003, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/46 "2003-04-02T09:10:50Z")
- WelI I’ve never been to England–but I’ve been to Oklahoma \* And \* Me and Julio \* played catch down by the schoolyard. I also knew \* A Big Man On Mulberry Street \* When I was a young man the neighborhood girls called me \* The Wanderer \*,but as I grew older I was mainly a \* Ramblin’Man \* Guess I always directed my feet \* To the Sunny Side of the Street \* But thru my travels I’d have periods of \* A New York State Of Mind \* And now,in the twilight of my years I can reflect and say \* That Was A Very Good Year \* ---
**Author:** ![Seamonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Seamonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seamonkey)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2003, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/47 "2003-04-02T09:13:41Z")
I can’t EVEN count the times I’ve wasted away in Margarittaville! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Antonius\_Block](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Antonius\_Block](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antonius_Block)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2003, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/48 "2003-04-02T09:14:32Z")
Well, I’ve certainly been [Twenty-Four Hours from Tulsa](http://members.iinet.net.au/~nderby/tulsa.html) but then so have a lot of people, since it covers rather a large set of possibilities (depending on mode of transportation available). I may be Twenty-Four Hours from Tulsa right now! I’ve spent many a happy hour [Sitting on the Dock of the Bay](http://www.esl-lounge.com/songs/songsittingonthedock.html). I’ve been to the [Mull of Kintyre](http://www.nmt.edu/~atrivitt/songbook/mftomz.htm) and watched the mists rolling in from the sea. ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/49 "2003-04-02T12:50:57Z")
Hmmm…let’s see… I’ve [Left my Heart in San Fransisco](http://www.joanjett.com/Lyrics/lyrics/ILMHISF.htm) before. As Antonius said, I’ve also [sat on the dock of the bay](http://www.esl-lounge.com/songs/songsittingonthedock.html). I’ve had several [evenings in Roma](http://www.letssingit.com/dean-martin-on-an-evening-in-roma-19q3b7d.html) and while there, did my best to [do as the Romans do](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/joel-billy/17543.htm) I have of course been to [Chicago](http://er.neoxer.com/sinatra-town.html) and [New York](http://courses.nus.edu.sg/course/elljflp/ht/Hyperfiction/Victor/InANewYorkMinute/cr_newyorknewyork.htm). Where else? I’ve also been a long way [from Richmond, rolling off on 95](http://www.bonnielovesclyde.com/tritt.html), and I had a tough time coming back from [Mexico](http://www.reallyrics.com/lyrics/J002600010002.asp). That’s about all I can think of right now…I’m sure more will come to me later today. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2003, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/50 "2003-04-02T13:26:36Z")
I’ve actually driven [from Tuscon to Tucumcari.](http://www.univie.ac.at/Anglistik/easyrider/data/FeatWilling.htm) But I’ve never gone from Tehachapi to Tonapah. ---
**Author:** ![MrO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@MrO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrO)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2003, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/51 "2003-04-02T13:41:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gangster Octopus \* > \*\*I, too, have been on the corner in wWinslow, Arizona. Such a fine sight to see. And honest-to-god a flat bed Ford drove by, but definitely not being driven by a girl, my Lord. \*\* How long did you have to wait on the corner for that? I passed through Winslow once with my sisters, and we stopped so I could stand on the corner for a photo. (Not very original, but anyway.) We pretty quickly decided that I could stand there for a year before a flat-bed Ford came by, and a thousand years before one came by driven by a girl who slowed down to take a look at _me_ (although I was pretty hot back then). I’ve also spent time in Tampa, but I didn’t rob a bank, nor did the hounds pick up my trail in the 'glades. I’ve ridden the Marrakesh Express, but couldn’t quite get a smoke ring from the corner of my m-m-m-m-mouth. OK, I’m old. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2003, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/52 "2003-04-02T23:18:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Labdad \* > \*\*I’ve actually driven [from Tuscon to Tucumcari.](http://www.univie.ac.at/Anglistik/easyrider/data/FeatWilling.htm) But I’ve never gone from Tehachapi to Tonapah. \*\* I’ve done the [Tehachapi to Tonopah drive](http://maps.yahoo.com/py/ddResults.py?Pyt=Tmap&tarname=&tardesc=&osd=&newname=&newdesc=&dsd=&newHash=&newTHash=&newErr=&newTErr=&newFL=Use+Address+Below&newaddr=&newcsz=Tehachapi%2C+CA&newcountry=us&newTFL=Use+Address+Below&newtaddr=&newtcsz=Tonopah%2C+NV&newtcountry=us&Submit=Get+Directions); very nice drive with the upper deserts (Owens Valley) nestled between the Sierras and the White Mountains; more like a 5 hour drive though… ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/53 "2003-04-04T05:57:39Z")
I too have wasted away in Margaritaville. Even had a beer in the Margaritaville lounge. A friend of mine spent a lot of time in LA looking for the Pioneer Chicken Stand (Warren Zevon, “Carmelita”) ---
**Author:** ![AveDementia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@AveDementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AveDementia)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/54 "2003-04-04T08:18:13Z")
Okay, I feel wierd now. I have also stopped in at Winslow to hang around on a corner (although sadly I didn’t think to take a picture) and in that 5 or so minutes I saw _four_ flatbeds drive by- and three of them were driven by girls. (I’m a girl myself, so no big surprise none of them slowed down to check me out.) My reaction: “Damn, that song really nailed the atmosphere here.” I’ve also been heading west down Ventura Blvd. while the song **Free Falling** (by Tom Petty) was playing on the radio, but I didn’t see any vampires. ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/55 "2003-04-04T13:24:31Z")
A few others I’ve thought of. I was in St. Louis, but didn’t [meet Louis](http://www.reelclassics.com/Musicals/StLouis/stlouis.htm). I’ve seen the [moon over Parma](http://www.geocities.com/tvshowthemelyrics/DrewCareyShowSong.html) more than a few times, and of course, we all know that [Cleveland Rocks!](http://www.twin-music.com/azlyrics/t_file/tvthemes/tv_drew.html) 😉 Unlike Elvis, I have [been to Spain and England](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/presley-elvis/9653.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/56 "2003-04-04T13:52:34Z")
I’ve been “Walking in Memphis”, though my feet weren’t quite 10 feet off of Beale. 9 maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/57 "2003-04-04T18:36:03Z")
I’ve been “Alberta Bound,” and bid “Farewell to Nova Scotia,” but since most of the responses here concern the United States, I don’t expect that too many people know these. Still, I’ve endured “Another Rainy Day in New York City,” and while in “Chicago,” walked down State Street (that great street). And my wife, who is originally from Colorado, once said to me, “Please come to Denver when the snow falls.” We subsequently visited Denver, but it wasn’t in the winter. Still, we went up into the mountains and threw “I love you” echoes down the canyons anyway. I’m surprised nobody has said that they have ridden “the train they call the City of New Orleans.” That’s one thing I’d like to do someday, just because of the song. ---
**Author:** ![mojave66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@mojave66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mojave66)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/58 "2003-04-04T23:24:25Z")
I’ve been to the Pioneer Chicken Stand in Echo Park (LA). If there weren’t any real junk dealers hanging out there, I’d have been surprised. I think Pioneer the franchise is deader than many of their customers, though. I’ve been through 9 of the 12 cities mentioned in Route 66, and I’ve taken a ride on the Atchison, Topeka & the Santa Fe back when they still had passenger trains. ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/59 "2003-04-05T01:46:02Z")
I live “In a Northern Town.” Does that count? As far as standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona… well, I’m quite sure I’m in the wrong song. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2003, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727/60 "2003-04-05T05:03:57Z")
I once went running back to Saskatoon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standin-on-a-corner-in-winslow-arizona/165727.md?page=4)