Living In The USA

Blogging started as a hobby for me, but somewhere along the way it quietly turned into a virtual classroom. Since tossing my words out into the wilds of WordPress and Jetpack, I’ve crossed paths with people whose talents stop me in my tracks on a daily basis—writers, musicians, storytellers who make you feel something before you even realize it’s happening.

Such is the case with my friend Bryan. He’s the real deal—an exceptional writer and an accomplished musician. Do yourself a favor and run, don’t walk, to his site: http://loia.blog

A few nights ago, Bryan posted a piece originally performed by Linda Ronstadt. I was hooked within seconds. One song turned into another, and before I knew it, I was deep into my playlists, dusting off long-forgotten Ronstadt tracks like I had just uncovered buried treasure.

Fast forward to tonight. I’m scrolling for something—anything—to watch, and there it is: a documentary on Linda Ronstadt sitting on Prime like it had been waiting just for me. I’m a sucker for a good documentary, so in I went. Within two minutes, I was smiling like I’d just run into an old friend.

What followed was less of a viewing and more of a deep dive—a full-on rabbit hole into music history. Early band beginnings, unexpected turns, and then those “wait…what?!” moments. When she struck out on her own, Don Henley showed up behind the drums. Not long after, Glenn Frey wandered into the mix. The two of them eventually stepped away to form Eagles.

It hit me as I watched—this wasn’t just a documentary. It was a web of connections. A reminder that music isn’t just sound; it’s history, relationships, timing…a classroom you never signed up for but somehow end up attending anyway.

And then…beep, beep. The WayBack Machine fired up.

It’s 1978. Thirteen-year-old Kiki hops on the N81 bus headed to the Sunrise Mall in Massapequa, Long Island. Babysitting money clutched tightly in hand, mission clear: get that brand-new album.

There it was—Living in the USA. The last one in the bin. You better believe I grabbed it like it was gold and made a beeline for the register.

That album didn’t just get played—it got lived. Spun over and over until it warped. Liner notes read so many times the edges gave out before I did. And that satin baseball jacket Linda wore on the cover? Oh, I campaigned hard for that one at home.

Back then, I had no idea I was listening to someone who would one day be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I just knew how it made me feel.

Music doesn’t ask for credentials. It doesn’t care how old you are, where you are, or what you know. It simply shows up—sometimes through a friend’s blog post, sometimes through a late-night scroll—and it pulls you back to moments you didn’t realize were still living inside you.

So here’s what I’ve learned from this little journey down the rabbit hole:
The songs may fade from your daily rotation, the albums may collect dust, but the feelings? They never leave.

They just wait patiently…for the next time you hit “play.”

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Author: KikiFikar

Kiki Fikar is a native New Yorker who is passionate about taking the day to day life we all experience and sharing it in her tales from Suburbia. She will often be found at the gym, writing snippets each day for future story lines, listening to her two children create their lives, and building the perfect beachfront home and writing retreat in her mind.

23 thoughts on “Living In The USA”

  1. I love a good deep dive. I love that I also follow Bryan’s blog. Oh as for the Linda Ronstadt album??? Never heard it and I am adding to my Tuesdays are for tunes…be on the lookout.

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  6. I feel exactly the same way about The Beatles and Guns N’ Roses. Growing up, they were my world because of the radio and VH1. They didn’t just provide a soundtrack; they made me feel alive. Through the good, bad, and average days, that music was my constant companion. You’re right—thanks to Bryan, my playlist is growing, and I’m reminded of how powerful music is. Regardless of age or place, it pulls up those ‘buckets of memories’ that usually stay tucked away♥️
    Happy Sunday my rockstar ✨

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  10. Man… this really hit me. I’m honored to be even a small part of that journey. I had no idea a post of mine would lead you there. That’s really cool to hear. The way you told it felt real… like stepping back into it with you from that bus ride to finding that last album. You’re a great writer too. I always enjoy reading your stuff. That’s what music does… it connects things inside us. Thank you for the kind words. I feel that, for real… that will stay with me. 😎 `’.,°~

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  15. Great post! 😎👏 Wow, you got me with this one… I’ve been nutty about LR since high school… certainly easy on the eyes and that voice—wow, def one of my top three female vocalists.

    I saw her at UF with the Eagles, one of the best concerts I’ve been to. Any girl at Florida who even bore a passing resemblance to Linda was instantly on my radar 😂

    I love how she’s evolved to always stay fresh, relevant. Some of her newer stuff is actually better than her old with respect to her voice. I read she practiced eight hours a day and on albums like “Winter Light,” or “Cry like a rainstorm, Howl like the Wind,” how this petite little 5’3” woman delivers these soaring contralto and soprano notes with a vibrato that gives goosebumps and a size that could fill a cathedral… idk, I’m left in awe.

    So sad about her and the Parkinson’s… truly a cruel end to the voice of a generation. 🫤

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  17. Lucky!!! Omg how I would have loved to see both! You should check out the documentary. Very interesting facts. She’s something else!

    Can’t thank you enough for reading! ❤️

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  20. Very good post and yes music can do that. I can tell you where I was standing when Elvis died. He is a bit before my time of course but not by much. It sticks in my head to this day.

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  21. Me too! We were in our hotel room on vacation in Myrtle Beach when we heard the news. I was 12. My parents both gasped. I remember that vividly.

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  22. love this!! So true. Here is a weird weird fact. Just sat night sitting at dinner with friends we were reminiscing on the first album we bought. For me it was less about the one I bought and more about listening to yours! And this is the album I remember most!!!! Roller skates, sitting on the shaggy carpet, hoping you wouldn’t come home early and catch me listening to your album:)

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