“Ticky Tacky”

This article’s title comes from a 1962 song entitled “Little Boxes” written and composed by Malvina Reynolds in 1962. Her inspiration for the lyrics (see below) came about as she and her family drove past what was then a new home building approach in California — side-by-attached, identically designed, and colored condos.

Since1962, the song has been a part of my odyssey’s memory. It ‘s lyrics have come to mind intermittently whenever I’ve seen the ever increasing “sameness” that home buyers, and the American consumers in general, are willing to settle for and builders are only too happy to provide.

The lyrics came roaring back yesterday as I was scouting out new home construction here in North Carolina hoping to find a single story, 3 bedroom, ranch style home. “Depressing” is too mild a description of the sight as I drove through. Of course, “cookie cutter” designs and colors are not unique to this area. It’s what today’s, let’s call it America’s lower middle class, has settled for all across this country.

click on for photo: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/aerial-view-brand-new-two-story-1837210525

After I returned home from my search yesterday, I called a guy whom I’ve known all my life. He and his wife are in the process of deciding which country they want to move to, permanently, later this year. I called him to offer my endorsement of his intentions. Whining, wailing, and criticizing, where America is today culturally speaking, not to mention politically, is futile. Remember that old phrase, “America! Love it or Leave It”? Increasingly, it sounds like a good solution.

“Little Boxes” Lyrics.

Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes made of ticky tacky
Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes all the same

There’s a pink one and a green one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they’re all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same

And the people in the houses
All went to the university
Where they were put in boxes
And they came out all the same

And there’s doctors and lawyers
And business executives
And they’re all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same

And they all play on the golf course
And drink their martinis dry
And they all have pretty children
And the children go to school

And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university
Where they are put in boxes
And they come out all the same

And the boys go into business
And marry and raise a family
In boxes made of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same

There’s a pink one and a green one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they’re all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same