Once the idea for this 30 day campaign was mentioned, I immediately thought it was a worthwhile endeavor. Quality content is what every outlet vies for in this ever-changing Internet world and this was indeed quality. The list of topics were sent out and naturally my trigger happy persona signed me up for the first topic which crossed my path. Why I registered for this theme, I have not the first clue, but the choice was nearly a no-brainer. My least favorite song is, in fact, a personal favorite.

Boyz II Men’s “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” represents a beautiful tragedy. On the surface, the somber ballad paints the picture of corner crooners holding a note attempting to secure any amount of loose change from those who pass by. Separately, think of movies when a character witnesses their life flash before their eyes and a virtual PowerPoint of past people, places and events present themselves. Such is the case here, only in the audio form because not taking a trip down memory lane once “How do I say goodbye to once we had…” begins emitting through the speakers is next to impossible.

The song itself is far from complicated, yet perpetually tugs at the strings of any human with a heart. A standout memory of my life still remains spending summers in D.C. with my uncle. We’d head to the Maine Avenue Fish Market, bring food back to his apartment off Constitution Avenue and stay up until nearly three in the morning watching reruns of Martin and The Jeffersons. Once he passed from colon cancer in January of 1999 memories stood as my only link to the past. Nearly a year later, the second full summer without my uncle, the record appeared on the radio and even at 14, I specifically recall the wave of emotions.

Aside from his passing, I’ve heard the song at more funerals than I care to remember, both at relatives and friends from my childhood. At graduations, too. This song has made grown men cry. It’s ruined days just off its presence alone and the weird factor is “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” ultimately reminds me of a character flaw in myself. I don’t deal well with loss. I never have and I never will. On the same token, no one does, but it is the exact reason why forming bonds with people isn’t exactly a strong suit of mine even though I consider myself a social person. The realization that it continues to form a feeling of artistic uneasiness in my stomach even 20 years following the song’s release is a true testament to how susceptible we all are for allowing certain music to serve as the soundtrack of our lives. This 1991 number is the ultimate eulogy, for lack of a better description, and likely will always be as long as people continue to lose a part of themselves when letting go of a loved one.

Boyz II Men – “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday”

Previously: The 30 Day Song Challenge: Day 1 – Your Favorite Song