Nothin’ Matters If You “Keep A Little Soul”

Summary

The content discusses the author's personal connection to Tom Petty's song "Keep A Little Soul" and how it related to their experience with an adopted family member.

Abstract

The article is a reflection on the song "Keep A Little Soul" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, as well as the author's personal experience with a family member who was adopted. The author was contacted by a woman named Lori, who was looking for information about her birth parents. The author became a mediator between Lori and their sister, who had given birth to Lori and put her up for adoption. Despite the challenges, the author remained optimistic and dependable, using the lyrics of "Keep A Little Soul" as a personal mantra. The article also includes a brief description of the song's history and a link to listen to it. The author concludes by sharing their gratitude for the connection they made with Lori and the lessons they learned from the experience.

Bullet points

The song "Keep A Little Soul" was initially recorded in 1982 but did not make the cut for the "Long After Dark" LP.
The author was contacted by a woman named Lori, who was adopted after their sister had given birth to her 49 years earlier.
The author served as a mediator between Lori and their sister, who was not ready to meet her.
The author used the lyrics of "Keep A Little Soul" as a personal mantra during this time.
Despite the challenges, the author remained optimistic and dependable.
The author concludes by expressing gratitude for the connection they made with Lori and the lessons they learned from the experience.
The article includes a link to listen to "Keep A Little Soul."

An installment in the list of eight songs by Tom Petty (with or without The Heartbreakers) I’d take to a desert island with me.

I was tagged in the “Eight Desert Island Songs” threads; and thought “only eight?” I could do a dozen on just Tom Petty. I started on my Tom Petty eight, then realized I couldn’t fit them into just one article. There are more by TP, and maybe I’ll continue with other artists. Click here to see what other songs I’m taking with me.

Of all the Petty desert island songs, “Keep A Little Soul” might be the closest one to me. This was the first posthumous release from the Petty camp, the single that teased “An American Treasure,” the 63-track set comprised mostly of non-hits, outtakes, remixes, and deeper cuts. Initially recorded in 1982, “Keep A Little Soul” didn’t make the cut with other songs that would be on the “Long After Dark” LP.

In April of 2018, I was contacted by a woman named Lori, who was adopted after my sister had given birth to her forty-nine years earlier. She was curious about her birth parents and had taken a DNA test from Ancestry.com. I responded to her message on Facebook Messenger after getting the okay from my sister.

That’s when I started walking on eggshells. My sister wasn’t ready to contact her and didn’t know if she would be. Meantime, I had begun correspondence with Lori, getting to know each other more than simply answering yes/no questions.

I know you tried hard Hard to get it right There’s a sadness in your eyes Poor little one They ruled you like a king Don’t be afraid to depend on me

Adoption stories are unique; none are ever the same. There might not be any right or wrong with opposing positions. My sister had reasons for not having the desire to meet the woman she’d put up for adoption. Though I didn’t understand why, it wasn’t my place to question it. I was asked not to discuss it with her, and I didn’t.

I had my own unique perspective on the situation. In Lori, I had a new family member. I was willing to help her, get to know her and do what I could, as long as it didn’t interfere with my sister’s wishes. That was sometimes difficult, as I found it most important for each of them to know that they could depend on me to do what was best for all of us.

When I first heard “Keep A Little Soul,” I put myself in Petty’s place, trying to reassure Lori even though it didn’t look like progress was being made. I preached patience while saying that she could depend on me to be an advocate for her, despite the need to remain silent. I was ready to burst with a myriad of emotions, from frustration to elation, but held everything in check, dependent upon with whom I was interacting.

Nothing matters (it doesn’t matter) Ohhh (it doesn’t matter) I say you keep a little soul And nothing really matters anymore (It doesn’t matter) Ohhh (it doesn’t matter) Honey, keep a little soul And nothing’s gonna matter anymore

I would tell Lori that things would work out if she stayed true to herself and her intentions. She’s a no-nonsense, pull-no-punches woman with many traits I admire, hereditary or learned. As I grew to know her, I found her very genuine and was proud to call her my “niester.”

Don’t be afraid to get up on your feet Ohhhh depend on me Don’t be afraid to live what you believe

“ Keep A Little Soul” was my theme song for the summer of 2018. It was released on July 11th, and it was on repeat like a hit song would be when I was a teenager. It will always remind me of Lori, the hope I had for her, and the optimism that eventually, things would work out as a win for everyone.

They did.

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Nothin’ Matters If You “Keep A Little Soul”

An installment in the list of eight songs by Tom Petty (with or without The Heartbreakers) I’d take to a desert island with me.

The World’s Greatest Niester

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