Post to the Host

Host Garrison Keillor answers your questions about life, love, writing, authors, and of course, A Prairie Home Companion.

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December 31, 2007 |

Post to the Host:
Mr. Keillor, How do you choose what you "smell" in the opening theme song — "I smell the _________, I look around for you"? My mother loves that part.

Catherine

When "Tishomingo Blues" became our theme song, the line was "I smell the onions, I look around for you" but some listeners felt that if the next line, "My sweet old someone, coming through the door" referred to the listener, then it was insulting to say they smelled like onions. So now when I come to that line, I toss in something that seems appropriate, like pine trees or lilacs or dogwood if we're in the south or pretzels if we're in New York. Anything your mother wants me to smell, let me know.

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