A Generational Conversation

I woke up yesterday morning with the song, “Oh, My Papa” by Eddie Fisher, worming around in my ear.

I reflected on what a beautiful song that was (it still brings tears to my eyes). I believe anyone who loves/loved their father and knows this song would agree.

Y’know, Eddie Fisher recorded that song nearly 65 years ago in 1954. Since then, we’ve seen the rise and subsequent “seniorizing” of several generations—the G.I.s, the Silent, the Baby Boomers; the X-Gens are now middle aged, the Millennials and Z-Gens are taking over the country.

And then, I thought, what if I initiated a conversation with some young Millennials and younger Z-Gen’ers about the song? Would the conversation go something like this?

Me: Eddie Fisher did a great job.

Millennial: Who’s Eddie Fisher?

Me: He was married to Debbie Reynolds.

Millennial: Who’s Debbie Reynolds?

Me: She was Carrie Fisher’s mother.

Z-Gen’er: Who’s Carrie Fisher?

Millennial: She was Leia in Star Wars.

Z-Gen’er: Who’s Leia?

Millennial: Luke’s twin.

Z-Gen’er: Who’s ...

Me: Not important. So anyway, Eddie Fisher divorced Debbie Reynolds and married Elizabeth Taylor.

Millennial and Z-Gen’er: Who’s Elizabeth Taylor?

Me: Hey look! A squirrel!

Want to hear the song? Go here: Oh, My Papa