I’m not sure if accordions hold a special place in my heart. It’s an instrument associated with folk music and midsummer’s, and I’m not a great fan of either. Well, at least, Swedish folk music — I appreciate a lot of other types of folk music: bluegrass, country, irish, etc.

I think there are many instruments that sound better. And apparently Gary Larson, from the Far Side, shares my idea, as is evident in the hilarious comic. [removed]

But there’s this guy that shows up sometimes in the square downtown with his accordion. And whenever he does, suddenly, it seems like everything isn’t so gray and dull any longer. Sitting at a McDonalds, having coffee in the sun, and listening to old accordion music makes you feel like you’re sitting in a quaint little country cafe in France.

Since the only experience I have of quaint little French cafes is from the BBC comedy series ‘Allo ‘Allo, you sort of almost half expect Hans Grüber’s “little tank” to come rolling around the corner. :)

I guess, despite all the fun we make of them, the world needs a couple of accordion players after all.