TECH: On the Sunny Side of the Street

[mbarker]

Original Posting 2021/11/6

One of the tv shows here is the morning drama, 15 minutes a day. A recent episode ended with a twist, as the male main character looked at the female main character and decided that life was actually pretty good. To help drive that point home, as he looked at her, the radio in the background started playing a bit of Louis Armstrong singing On The Sunny Side of the Street. Just a few bits, and he picked up a flyer and read Louis Armstrong's name, and a few lines in English, which he translated into Japanese. A minute, maybe a bit more, and suddenly, we knew what he was thinking, and it had been reinforced by echoes of that song. Nice...  Life can be so sweet, on the sunny side of the street!

So... if you need to emphasize an emotional point or realization, think about a song that brings it out, and have your character reflect on that song. Maybe even toss in a line or verse or two. And voila... you get the benefit of background music, even without a soundtrack!

And just in case you're trying to remember that song...

Louis Armstrong - On The Sunny Side Of The Street Lyrics

Grab your coat and get your hat
Leave your worries on the doorstep
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street

Can't you hear the pitter-pat
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be complete
On the sunny side of the street

I used to walk in the shade with my blues on parade
But I'm not afraid... This rover's crossed over

If I never had a cent
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet
On the sunny side of the street

[Instrumental]

I used to walk in the shade with them blues on parade
Now I'm not afraid... This rover has crossed over

Now if I never made one cent
I'll still be rich as Rockefeller
There will be gold dust at my feet
On the sunny 

On the sunny, sunny side of the street