Sometimes the best part of a story is in the name. Take for example the word for an activity that is literally running rampant on this post-Thanksgiving “cool-down” day.
While the act of running as a means of training for skilled athletes dates back to at least the ancient Greeks and their Olympics, the general notion of physical fitness has its origins in Medieval Europe. This was a time when swordsmanship was highly esteemed, both as a means of self-defense and a measure of social standing. But swordsmanship requires stamina, and it was well understood that strength and endurance could be developed by lifting weights and, although it wouldn’t be called “jogging” for another half-a-millenium, regularly running at a measured pace.
Somewhere in the 16th Century the word “jog” first came into usage as in “to shake, jolt or move with a jerk” (hence “jog your memory”) and it would also eventually pertain to the activity involved in keeping a horse in condition. By the 19th Century (in Britain but not the United States) “jogging” would also refer to a full training regimen for soldiers and athletes.
As for “joggers” as we know them, i.e. those who leisurely trot for health, pleasure and to work off the previous day’s excesses, we can thank the Kiwis. Formed in 1962, for athletic enthusiasts (those accustomed to a fitness training regimen in the British sense) who would meet specifically to run “for fitness and sociability,” the Auckland Joggers Club is believed to have been the first to use “jogger” as a noun. When University of Oregon track coach (and Nike shoe designer), Bill Bowerman came for a visit he was so taken with the concept that he borrowed the name and wrote the book that is now credited for igniting the running revolution, “Jogging” in 1966.
Coincidentally that was the very year that today’s selection was a Number 1 hit in the UK for a group whose name also comes with an interesting story. Formed in Birmingham when, in 1963, Welsh guitarist Spencer Davis recruited organist Steve Winwood and his bass playing brother Muff, along with Pete York on drums, the band was originally called the Rhythm and Blues Quartette.
Asked to change their name after signing a recording contract the following year Muff Winwood later commented, “Spencer was the only one who enjoyed doing interviews, so I pointed out that if we called it The Spencer Davis Group, the rest of us could stay in bed and let him do them.”
Although “his” group would disband not long after Steve Winwood left to form Traffic, the wide-awake Spencer Davis had plenty of interview opportunities in the mean time, with such international hits as “Gimme Some Lovin”, “I’m a Man” and … (written by Jamaican-born singer Jackie Edwards) “Keep On Running”
LISTEN TO TODAY’S SELECTION – Friday 23 November
Keep On Running
Keep on running
Keep on hiding
One fine day I’m gonna’ be the one
To make you understand
Oh yeah
I’m gonna be your man
Keep on running
Running from my arms
One fine day I’m gonna be the one
To make you understand
Oh yeah
I’m gonna be your man
Hey, Hey, Hey
Everyone is talking about me
It makes me feels so bad
Hey, Hey, Hey
Everyone is laughing at me
It makes me feel so sad
So keep on running
Hey, Hey, Hey
All right
Hey hey hey…
Keep on running
Running from my arms
One fine day I’m gonna be the one
To make you understand
Oh yeah
I’m gonna be your man
Hey, Hey, Hey
Everyone is talking about me
It makes me feels so sad
Hey, Hey, Hey
Everyone is laughing at me
It makes me feel so bad
Keep on running
Running from my arms
One fine day I’m gonna be the one
To make you understand
Oh yeah
I’m gonna be your man
Make me feel so good
I wanna be your man
All right
Come on baby
I wanna be your man
You know you make feel so good
Hey, Hey, Hey…
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