People Let Me Tell ‘Bout My Best Friend
I recently did research on Harry Nilsson’s theme song for the TV show “Courtship of Eddie’s Father.” The song was called “Best Friend” and here’s the kicker… it was originally about a woman! That’s right; the song lyrics to what is probably the single most iconic father-son bonding tune of all time, was all about a girl.
Nilsson’s song “Girlfriend” was an early version of “Best Friend” from his album “Aerial Ballet.” The only reason for this discovery is that I recently had a conversation about mothers and women, including all the influential women in my life. I realized that sometimes in our adolescence, we just don’t appreciate relationships like we do in adulthood.
So this column, and my lyric revision (below), will represent the person who was my best woman-friend growing up. Her name was Patricia Jean Seaman—or Mrs. Seaman, better known. In all, I knew her for less than 15% of my life. She passed away when she was just 46 years old
(I was 26 at the time)…
People let me tell you ‘bout my best friend,
She’s a warmhearted person who’ll love me till the end.
People let me tell you ‘bout my best friend,
She’s was everybody’s mother always cooking something,
Cracking people’s (RED) necks and laughing with the rest.
We were her up, her down, her pride and joy.
People let me tell you ‘bout my best friend.
She was so much fun and laughing till the end.
Whether we’re talkin’ woman to man or just about everyone…
She WAS my best friend
Cause she’s my best friend.
Yes, she was my best friend.
Here’s why Mrs. Seaman was my best friend: She always listened and always advised. She fed me when I was hungry. Many days it would just be her and I, in her quaint little kitchen, and she’d give me the scoop on current happenings in the community. She had an uncanny way of understanding the strife of boys and girls. She praised my accomplishments and accepted my faults.
Mrs. Seaman understood my happiness and loneliness, my peacefulness and anger. She also knew my emotions—my attempts to always be gentle and kind (whether or not I actually succeeded). She understood my absolute drive and where it came from. Basically, she knew what drove me. But most of all, Mrs. Seaman protected me like a she-bear… and I tried my best to do the same for her.
She was my best friend. Today, the correct nickname might be “Rockstar” because she sure did ROCK.
So, I’d like to thank Mrs. Seaman for her unfailing friendship. And, of course, Harry Nielsen for his inspiration in producing the most iconic song about father and sons—and friendships—ever.
Patricia Jean Seaman
1935-1981