Day 67 – “Naming the Album 6S” – March 20, 2000

I grew up on the Upper West Side of New York City with a sprawling view of Central Park from apartment “Success.” At least that’s what I heard my parents say when they directed the local grocer for deliveries or their fabulous, bangle-wearing friends for parties. It made sense, after all — my famous parents lived in an apartment called “Success.”  Of course, they did and, of course, my brother and I lived there with them; born into success, not owners as such, but entitled squatters.  It was only when I started writing pen pals that my understanding was shattered.

“In the return address,” my mom dictated, “you’ll write Sally Taylor, 135 C.P.W Apt #6S NYC 10023.”

“How do you spell ‘Success'” I asked.

“A-P-T period. The number 6 and the letter S,” she directed, unaware she was shattering a belief I’d held since birth. Alas, apartment “Success” was only ever apartment #6S (Floor 6, Southern facing apartment).  “Success” was as illusory as the great and powerful Wizard of OZ. #6S was The Man (woman and children who lived) Behind the Curtain; A real address with real lives and problems and joys and failures and, yes, successes too.

I’ve decided to name this second album after my birth address “Apt. #6S” to remind me where I come from; both a delicious, outrageous illusion, and a geographic address as real and permanent as its bricks and mortar.  

This CD is a dedication to making success where you live.


APT #6S will be released in early May and will be available online from this website and at shows.

Reader interactions

6 Replies to “Day 67 – “Naming the Album 6S” – March 20, 2000”

  1. Such a great description of a child’s understanding.

  2. Sally,

    No matter how many times I hear the #6S/success story, it never fails to warm my heart. Thanks for sharing it yet again with the cute photos.

    The parents must have used hair straightener on you in the first photo! No curls! 😀

    1. My hair never knows what way to spin. Sometimes flat sometimes springy.

  3. The sweetest story ever Sally xo

Comments are closed.