Joker

One of Torey’s all time favorite songs was “Joker” by the Steve Miller Band.

As you know, Das and I collect vinyl and he found this gem and gifted me with it recently:

Torey used to sing “Joker” to me so often! After he left us and as I started to socialize again, I KID YOU NOT – this song plays anytime I meet a new guy… well at least 8 times out of 10. I sense his encouragement any time I hear this song when I’m out. It’s pretty wild actually!

If you really knew him then you know these lyrics fit him like a glove:

Some people call me the space cowboy, yeah
Some call me the gangster of love
Some people call me Maurice
‘Cause I speak of the pompatus of love a
People talk about me baby
Say I’m doin’ you wrong, doin’ you wrong
Well, don’t you worry, baby, don’t worry
‘Cause I’m right here, right here, right here, right here at home
‘Cause I’m a picker
I’m a grinner
I’m a lover
And I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker
I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I sure don’t want to hurt no one
I’m a picker
I’m a grinner
I’m a lover
And I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker
I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I get my lovin’ on the run
Ooh, whoo, ooh, whoo
You’re the cutest thing that I ever did see
I really love your peaches
Wanna shake your tree
Lovey dovey, lovey dovey, lovey dovey all the time
Ooh wee baby, I’ll sure show you a good time
‘Cause I’m a picker
I’m a grinner
I’m a lover
And I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker
I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I get my lovin’ on the run
I’m a picker
I’m a grinner
I’m a lover
And I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker
I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I sure don’t want to hurt no one
Ooh, whoo, ooh, whoo
People keep talkin’ about me baby
Say I’m doin’ you wrong
Well don’t you worry, don’t worry, no don’t worry mama
‘Cause I’m right here at home
You’re the cutest thing I ever did see
I really love your peaches
Wanna shake your tree
Lovey dovey, lovey dovey, lovey dovey all the time
Come on baby now, I’ll show you a good time
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Ahmet Ertegun / Eddie Curtis / Steve Miller
The Joker lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

I love seeing him in my dreams and the last one I had was a bit odd…

We were in bed together just talking. As we locked eyes, he asked, “You know we’re still married, right?” I found myself diverting the conversation to “You know I love you and miss the shit out of you, right?”

He asked the question again multiple times. I said, “But I’m a widow now, Torey … I’m not sure what you want me to say. This is what people call me now.”

Torey just stroked my face with his hand and I woke up.