LILLY ALLEN

Born in West London, this 23 year old singer was “discovered” by a teacher while she was singing an “Oasis” song in the school playground. A childhood full of contrasts – she lived in a council house but went to expensive public schools – might have been the reason for her excesses in drinking and smoking, both of which got her expelled from school and into trouble later on in life. (See full biography at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_Allen

Her fear that the world as we know it is doomed, that creativity will eventually disappear and that sponsorship will pay for everything is clearly evident in her latest song “The Fear”. This last point is particularly worrying when you see famous people, such as actors, public figures, sportsmen and sportswomen, advertising from shampoo to cars. Surely these people earn more than enough from their activities. They do not need to advertise and take away the bread from honest, hard-working models and advertising actors and actresses, do they? Her statement in the song that taking your clothes off is not shameful is a clear indication that our moral values have suffered a serious battering. Having taken your clothes off, what do you do next to attract attention; have sex in public? Well that’s already happening on internet, with webcams, and on our mobile phones, with videos cameras. God help the coming generations.

Here’s The Fear. Video (courtesy of youtube.com) followed by the lyrics. Enjoy.


I want to be rich and I want lots of money.
I don´t care about clever I don´t care about funny.
I want loads of clothes and fuckloads of diamonds.
I heard people die while they are trying to find them.

I´ll take my clothes off and it will be shameless,
‘Cuz everyone knows that´s how you get famous.
I´ll look at the sun and I´ll look in the mirror;
I´m on the right track yeah I´m on to a winner.
[Chorus]
I don´t know what´s right and what´s real anymore.
I don´t know how I´m meant to feel anymore.
When we think it will all become clear,
‘Cuz I´m being taken over by The Fear.

Life’s about film stars and less about mothers;
it´s all about fast cars and cussing each other.
But it doesn´t matter cause I´m packing plastic.
and that´s what makes my life so fucking fantastic.

And I am a weapon of massive consumption,
and it´s not my fault it´s how I´m programmed to function.
I´ll look at the sun and I´ll look in the mirror;
I´m on the right track yeah we're on to a winner.

BARBRA STREYSAND

What an artist! Pure magic in her voice… and such lovely songs! She has also managed to do something quite unique ….blend her voice perfectly with that of other equally great and gifted singers. I’m thinking especially of Barry Gibb (Guilty), Celine Dion (Tell him) and Neil Young (You don’t bring me flowers). Her version of Memories (from the musical “Cats”) is absolutely stunning. And what about “The way we were”? I could go on forever. Thank you, Barbra, for those wonderful, magical, unforgettable and unrepeatable evenings by the fireside, listening to your absolutely enchanting voice.
Here she is, singing “Run Wild”, one of my favourites, from the album “Guilty”. Words & music by the Gibb brothers.

I wandered into your wonderland with eyes open wide.
You turned me into your yesterday, but you will remain inside
of me, like I care for you,
Oooh, I care for you.
Run wild,
out on the edge of time, child,
carry your dreams away, love.
No one can hurt you now,
for you are an island.

I may be broken, but understand, my love will get by.
There will be others along the way, my love, they will try
to care for me like I care for you,
Oooh I care for you.
Run wild,
out on the edge of time, child,
carry your dreams away, love.
No one can hurt you now,
for you are an island.