Trent Ling has often ended up in places and positions, and wondered how in the world he got there. Here goes yet another such example. As one who kept charts on everything under the sun, and as one who went so far as to invent previously non-existent things just to chart them, Trent just couldn’t help himself. Accordingly, in tenth grade in late 1980, he began doodling on his desk in Spanish class.
“I decided to write onto my desk the best 20 songs of the moment,” Trent recollects 30 years later. “It was a social media precursor because the next day I found several comments next to my music chart. ‘Who wrote this?’ and ‘What is this?’ were among the first responses. I just kept posting a new list every Monday. Finally, after a couple of months, I formalized the process and published a weekly list to my subscribers for the next SIX YEARS! Crazy times!”
For unknown reasons, the school newspaper began merging a music advertisement with Trent’s weekly Top 20. Though “The TL Top 20” contained only marginal connection to popular reality, it was proffered as somehow representative of record and tape merchants. In retrospect, Trent says it makes no sense, just like much of the rest of his life.
“I was in my own world–the exact opposite of advertising which longs to be in everybody’s world,” Trent concedes. “Looking at the list today, some songs have stood the test of time over 30 years (like # 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and others), but with others songs (like # 4 and 7), only a loon would have ever found them to be chart-worthy. Oh well.”
Here’s how Trent’s advertised chart looked in the April 2, 1982 publication of The Wasco, his Pasco High School newspaper:
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TL ~ I had forgotten about the list on your desk in Spanish. Poor Mr. Rod…he always said “Hola” to me in the hall…still pretty sure he tried to grade me for that class even though I was taking French.
Tip (meme) ~ you used “Centerfold” by the J. Geils Band in your aerobics class in the Robert Frost gym. Whenever I hear it I inadvertently start working my arms and legs.
Hey Brother . . . regarding “but with others songs (like # 4 and 7), only a loon would have ever found them to be chart-worthy. Oh well.”:
You’re right! Being a loon myself (The Provincial Bird of Ontario, Canada is the Common Loon of … where I’m from) — and “Take Off” was definitely chart-worthy! It remained in the number one chart position for a few weeks (in Canada, of course) It was the highest ranking song for Geddy Lee of Rush (guest vocals in the song) up till that time period (in the US, reaching #16). I mean Bob and Doug put “Eh?” in the mouths of many Americans! They had a corny movie about them, and even an animated cartoon (also in Canada) I mean these guys were serious loon-atics!
And, as for “Freeze Frame” by J. Geils Band. That song — right about the time of your writing — reached the #4 position in the billboard charts and stayed there for four weeks.
So really, your top choice grading back then about your music —specifically these two, wasn’t as bad as you’re projecting, in fact you were quite accurate!
Love you,
Loon
#1 and #2 really shows that the TL countdown ROCKS! With all this blast-from-the-past stuff coming out I am understanding more and more how many lifetimes you’ve had in your 40+ years 🙂
This is just another example of your leadership that so many were willing to follow…whatever you put forward…even your parents! If you built it, said it, or wrote it, they would come. In honor of the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy weekend, a lot of people came to your backyard carnival that you put together to raise money for Jerry’ Kids. You were about 8 or 9 years old? And by the way, I liked the J. Geils Band…didn’t I use that song for exercise class? Or was it another one of theirs?
Doodling in Spanish class? Instead of working on a verb conjugation “chart”? It can’t be :(!
Anyway, I am amazed at God’s orderliness, uniformity and organization in nature. Our life, actions, and every activity should reflect the work of His hands.
I also believe that 1 Corinthians 14:40, “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”, not only applies to “orderly worship” but also to every area of our lives. Charts are the precise tool to cope with the chaos in our daily lives! Trent, I am looking forward to more of your charts :).
Your writing reminds me of the need to have order in ones life. Be it lists, charts or things in their places. It contributes to a more organized life with more focus. Thank you for the insight.
This posting bring my thinking back on my old days. On my past weekend, I had the opportunity to sit down and read my old sketch books during my years in university. There are much thoughts, confusions, excitement, longing, expressed in words and drawing. Now, I am not spiritually different than that, it’s my own fault in dealing with God, but it was a good reminder.
Thank you Trent for the reminder and the sharing. Surely, I can get much benefit from starting mining my life.
This is the Best!! Some of us old people have half these songs on cassette. What don’t you track is the question? On a serious note, God was apparently training you in accordance with Jeremiah 31:21 long before you became a Disciple of Jesus. When I think of you keeping charts on everything I can’t help but think about the clear road signs and highways that you’re able to track as a result of mining your life. It’s so amazing how some people can go back to their single digit years and recall the disappointments and enriching times in their life (and everything in-between). It seems that would be a ‘character builder’ for the individual. Amen!
You know what, this reminds me of… if you build it, they’ll come! You’re born as a leader 🙂
BTW, some of those songs still rock!