Forgotten, then remembered, then forgotten again

by Suw on October 10, 2006

For the last ten years or so I've been carrying round three unanswered questions. I've been tempted to blog them on many occasions, but never quite managed it (unless I did so on Blog-City, but if I did I've forgotten about it, and I can't check because that blog's been lost and the archives I have are not really in any great sort of format), possibly because I've had all three answered at some point or another over the last 10 years and it's rather embarrassing to admit that I've, erm forgotten the answers again. Some things just don't stick.
So… in an attempt to get this sorted for once and for all, here they are.
1) When I was a kid, my brother Tony played a computer game called PanAm. You had to drive cars across America picking up trophies on the way. It must have been in the early 1980s – our first computer was a ZX80, followed by a ZX81 and then a ZX Spectrum. Anyway, whilst he was playing this game, he'd also play this one song by Yes, which I remember absolutely loving. I have no idea which song it was, or what it was called, but it was big at the time. I can't actually even describe what it was like, other than that is really seemed perfect for a game that involved driving across a country. When I once told this story to a guy driving me across this country – possibly from Dorset to Cardiff, I'd guess – whilst I was at university, he named it in one. I even managed to get a hold of this song, but it's now long gone. Any ideas?
Answer: Leave It, from the album 90125. Thanks Derek!
2) I think Tom Reynolds can help me with this one. When I was very small I used to read these books for children that came with black covers, with a rainbow coloured spine which indicated how difficult the book was. I was very pleased to be reading the Indigo books when everyone else was still further down the rainbow. One of these books was about a magic black cat, whom I think was called Sebastian. Or the young boy might have been called Sebastian. I can't remember. But it was a good book and I remember telling Tom this story a couple of years back and he knew the answer straight off the bat, and I even wrote down the title… which I promptly then lost. Duh.
Answer: Tim and Tobias, by Sheila K McCullagh. Thanks Tom!
3) Actually, I've forgotten what 3 was. That's how bad my memory is.
Answer: Mr Benn. Thanks KevinM, I had no idea.

Anonymous October 10, 2006 at 7:14 pm

Mwah-ha-ha, a question I can answer.
The books were Tim and Tobias
For the Yes track, I'd go to iTunes and 'sample' many tracks until one works for you.
You may pay me later…

Anonymous October 10, 2006 at 8:29 pm

The big hit for Yes back round then ('82) was “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” or maybe “Leave It” from the same album, 90125. “Love Will Find A Way” and “Rhythm Of Love” were from their next album and last sizeable hit, Big Generator.
It's a bit embarrassing to know that, but in my defence, I did have to check Wikipedia to confirm some of it. And I've moved on from my prog-rock days.

Anonymous October 10, 2006 at 8:55 pm

Oh yes, that's right. Tobias is the black cat, and Sebastian is his son. I remember now. Glad to see that these books are back in print though. I'll have to go and buy them – been a *very* long time since I've seen them. Thanks Tom!
And thanks Derek too. 'Leave It' – that's definitely the one! Now I can go off and find a non-DRM'd legal download from somewhere without fear of having to listen to endless Yes to find the track I remember.
Another book/song that is paired in my head is Godley & Creme's Under Your Thumb, and a book called The Guardians by John Christopher – http://www.amazon.com/Guardians-New-Windmill-John-Christopher/dp/0435121766/

Anonymous October 10, 2006 at 9:08 pm

The answer to the third one is clearly 'Mr Benn'.

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