Stuck in Lodi Again

You know the song, right? The chorus goes “Oh Lord, stuck in Lodi again.” It’s catchy, it’s recognizable and somehow it always seems to express the sentiment applicable to being in Lodi, whichever Lodi you may be describing.

When I mention that my family’s from Lodi or my cottage is in Lodi people often respond with a blank stare or a furrowed, confused brow, which is fair enough. Sometimes this is followed swiftly by a glimmer of recognition and a recollection of an old tune from the 60s. “Oh yeah! Like the song!” they might say.

The song, simply called “Lodi”, is by Creedence Clearwater Revival and isn’t necessarily as well known as some of their really big hits like “Bad Moon Rising” and “Down on the Corner”. It does make it on their Greatest Hits compilations, however, and has certainly worked its way into popular culture.

As it turns out, the song was written about a Lodi in California, not our Lodi. The song is about a young musician who is trying to make it in the music business but unable to raise enough money to leave this town which doesn’t seem to have a whole lot going for it.

As it also turns out, there are a lot more Lodis in the U.S. than you might think. I once counted at least 13 Lodis in the US atlas. I’ve been through Lodi, New Jersey and perhaps whizzed past another Lodi at some point on a road trip.

Our Lodi is probably amongst the smallest with a population hovering around 350. In that there are not many businesses or much commercial infrastructure you can see how someone might express resentment about being stuck here. You could almost see how they could write a song about it. In that is is the beginning of the gorgeous Seneca East wine trail, home to stunning historic architecture and a thriving, supportive community atmosphere you can see how it wouldn’t be too bad to be stuck here, really.

Hurd’s of Lodi, a prominent local business and hardware store located on Lodi’s Main St. for many years used to sell a t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “Lodi, NY: Where it All Happens”. This sentiment seems to go hand in hand with that of the CCR song. We love to poke fun at the places we come from or get stuck in from time to time.

What do you think? Do all Lodis inspire the statement “Oh Lord, stuck _here_ again?”