Retrospect: Shaun Cassidy: “Da Doo Run Run”

Self-tutoring about ’70s culture: the tutor reflects about Shaun Cassidy.

I recall “Da Doo Run Run” from the late ’70s. I didn’t know it was a cover, or even that the ’77 version was by Shaun Cassidy. It was a catchy tune, however, especially to a kid, so I liked it.

Then, we didn’t have control over when we heard music. You either had the album or you heard the song on the radio. I didn’t have the money, or the motivation, to buy records, so I just overheard songs when they came on the radio. A catchy song was a treat to hear.

In 1977, a girl in my class–let’s call her Bev, but that’s not her real name–was obsessed with Shaun Cassidy. Fall, grade two, I recall her excitedly wearing her new Shaun Cassidy t-shirt. (“Da Doo Run Run” had gone number one for him the previous July.) He was a TV star then, too, on The Hardy Boys Mysteries. We didn’t have cable, so didn’t get that channel. Bev just as likely did, though.

I didn’t know about music videos back then: I can’t recall seeing Shaun Cassidy perform “Da Doo Run Run.” Last night I looked it up, and finally understand why he was a heartthrob back then.

Sadly, Bev’s parents didn’t know how to care for her Shaun Cassidy shirt; washing damaged the image so that you could barely recognize it. I think Shaun’s name had been printed on it as well, but faded to barely legible after a few washings. I felt bad for Bev about that, even though we weren’t close. Her love for Shaun didn’t fade with his picture, however: she kept wearing the shirt as faithfully, and joyously, as ever.

The song “Da Doo Run Run” fell from my radar, of course, as did Bev, because I moved away. However, both had an honest, joyful spirit that seemed ubiquitous back then, but not the same now. I’m caused to wonder if that’s a sign of the times, or if I’ve lost perception.

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