It’s possible you never heard of Libby Titus; however, you might have experienced her influence. She wrote for Dr. John, Burt Bacharach, Donald Fagen (of Steely Dan), and her music has been covered by Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt. Libby wrote Linda’s popular song, “Love Has No Pride.” Read Libby’s NYT Obituary here.
I love people like Libby. They are understated, undervalued by the mainstream, but they act like a hidden influence on the mainstream. Check out her music — “Can This Be My Love Affair” sounds torchy, Americana’y, jazz’y, and country’y. “Fool That I Am” sounds like an R&B tune from that era yet it has something a bit different to it — a unique touch.
Outside of music, there are people like Libby. People who are behind the scenes making things happen — influencing the culture. These are people with taste and an eye/ear for form, genre, and finishing. They are not flashy. They are not “high status”. I love seeking out and finding these people — trying to understand the inputs they use to output the influence that is their product.
I wonder if can become a person like a Libby. I bet it’s possible. And I bet the key is to develop our noticing skills and our desire to consume culture in all its forms. People like Libby aren’t the way they are because they have a special hidden and inaccessible talent. They are that way because they spent the time listening, understanding, engaging with, and attempting to influence the culture in their own persistent and consistent way.
Piece by piece.
Part by part.
