I’ve never done research into the concept of where Friday the 13th actually got it’s bad name. Well, that is if you’re superstitious. I’m not superstitious so I don’t give to thinking that a Friday the 13th is any different from any other Friday. However, sometimes you pick things up about history in movies. I realize that something like The Da Vinci Code isn’t truly a history lesson, but there is a theory in it that has to do with Friday the 13th. The explaination is part of a scene where Teabing and Langdon are trading their recounts on history.
A discussion of the Knights Templar is part of the lore that surrounds the turmoil that is based on how the Christian church was started and what it did to expound upon it’s history and what it chose to cover up as well. According to said discussion in the movie the theory is that the Knights Templar were the guardians of the Grail, which in this movie is said to be Mary Madalene as she was his wife. Because the church did not want this revealed they were in debted to the Knights to keep it quiet. At some point though, a Pope decided he couldn’t have that any longer so he sent a secret memo out that gave strict orders to kill all the Knights Templar on a specific date which happened to be a Friday and it’s date happened to be the 13th.
My lame excuse of recalling that does not do it justice as compared to the verbal sparring between Teabing and Langdon in the movie. Also, because I’ve never really studied the history of the church I can not defend nor deny if that would in fact be the reason why it’s got that stigma attached to it. To me, I find it all to be a fun story.
Terence Trent D’arby didn’t write this song, actually Smokey Robinson did. However, I associate it with Terence because I was schooled at one point by Jeff Soto when he specifically made me sit and listen to Introducing the Hard Line. Given my musical background up until that day it might be considered unlucky. I didn’t see it as such. It was a musical awareness expansion for me. I started pulling this disc apart to get a feel for a style I wasn’t familiar with. I was behind the times.
There are several gems on this CD. If you’re not familiar with Terence, it’s probably because he fell of the planet. Actually he’d already fell of the planet by the time that Jeff had schooled me with it. Apparently he’s now gone non-signed and changed his name. In a way it’s as if he pulled a Cat Stevens or something. I’ll stick with calling him Terence. Terence has a fantastic voice and stunning range. As I was learning to sing I know I spent time attempting to imitate some of his vibe. I’m sure it caused Jeff some pain. As I’ve said before though, I don’t steal from just one place. So it’s not likely you’d hear any direct Terence vibe in my singing, but I know it’s there.
Don’t have this album? Don’t worry, it’s why you’re here. You need it, now go get it. I swear you won’t be disappointed.
(** Disclaimer: If Smokey, Terence or the labels involved aren’t happy with my love for the song, I’ll have to dump it like the church did Mary. The post will remain as a way of thinking about how 13 and Friday can still be loved despite it’s history. **)