A HAPPY SONG

A few days ago, I found myself humming a catchy tune. It was a while before I realised what song it was and it took me back to my teens, and my first girlfriend, Rosemary (Rosy). I wonder what’s become of her? Anyway, here’s the song, “Love grows” by Edison Lighthouse (singer Tony Burrows – who left them only a year later) -a lovely, happy tune from the late sixties. Believe it or not, this group is still in demand as a live act, a testimony of their ability to entertain audiences.
Hope you enjoy it; Lyrics below the video.


Words and music by Tony Macauley & Barry Mason
She ain't got no money, her clothes are kinda funny, her hair is kinda wild and free.
Oh, but Love grows where my Rosemary goes and nobody knows like me.
She talks kinda lazy and people say she's crazy and her life's a mystery.
Oh, but Love grows where my Rosemary goes and nobody knows like me.

There's something about her hand holding mine, it's a feeling that's fine. and I just gotta say:
She's really got a magical spell and it's working so well that I can't get away.

I'm a lucky fella and I've just got to tell her that I love her endlessly,
because Love grows where my Rosemary goes and nobody knows like me.

AMY WINEHOUSE

What can I say about this remarkable English singer (London) that hasn't been said before? 25 years old, jazz/soul, MTV award, Grammy Award, Best Song Award for "Rehab", Best female singer, best..., best... & best... I could go on.

Just listen to this tremendous voice singing a really powerful song: Rehab by Amy Winehouse - from the album "Back from Black". The video is from the Glastonbury Concert.
Lyrics below. Enjoy

(official page - worth a visit: http://www.amywinehouse.co.uk/)


They tried to make me go to rehab, I said no, no, no. Yes I been black, but when I come back, you won't know, know, know. I ain’t got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine. He’s tried to make me go to rehab, I wont go, go, go.
I’d rather be at home with Ray. I ain’t got 70 days, 'Cos there’s nothing, there's nothing you can teach me that I can’t learn from Mister Hathaway. I didn’t get a lot in class, but I know it don’t come in a shot glass. They’re trying to make me go to rehab, etc..
The man said, why you think you're here? I said, I got no idea. I'm gonna, I'm gonna loose my baby, so I always keep a bottle near. Said, I just think you’re depressed, kiss me, yeah baby, and the rest. They're trying to make me go to rehab, etc.
I don’t ever wanna drink again I just, ooo, need a friend. I'm not gonna spend 10 weeks, have everyone think I'm on the mend. It’s not just my pride. It’s just till these tears have dried
They’re trying to make me go to rehab, etc..

BYE BYE BLACKBIRD

There are so many versions of this old favourite that it wasn't easy to decide on one in particular. It really is a sad song, but so many singers give it a happy treatment. I'm not sure about its origins though it would appear that it was composed by Ray henderson (music) and Mort Dixon (lyrics) in 1926. I chose this very pretty, slow version sung by Olivia newton-John in the opening of the film "The Wilde girls" where she stars with her daughter.

Peggy Lee's version is also an interesting one, though a little older, as it includes a spoken part. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYHeiSz425A&feature=related)

Here's the song. Lyrics below. Enjoy.


Pack up all my cares and woes, here I go, singing low. Bye, bye, blackbird.

Where somebody waits for me, sugar's sweet, so is he. Bye, bye, blackbird.

No one here can love or understand me,

Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me.

Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight. Blackbird, bye, bye.

ELTON JOHN

Which song? There are so many. Daniel? Nikita? Candle in the wind? The man's a genius and his music has rocked us and knocked us during the last four decades. Crocodile Rock? Need I go on? Anyway, one of my favourites is this one: "Something about the way you look tonight". Great lyrics, beautiful music, and Elton sounds at his very best. The model, of course, is Kate moss... at HER best. Lyrics below. Enjoy.

Something about the way you look tonight.
Music by Elton John - Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Available on the album The Big Picture

There was a time, I was everything and nothing all in one. / When you found me, I was feeling like a cloud across the sun. / I need to tell you, how you light up every second of the day. / But in the moonlight, you just shine like a beacon on the bay. /And I can't explain, but it's something about the way you look tonight, takes my breath away. / It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside. /And I can't describe, but it's something about the way you look tonight, takes my breath away. / The way you look tonight. / With a smile, you pull the deepest secrets from my heart. / In all honesty, I'm speechless and I don't know where to start. etc..

TOKYO HOTEL

Here's something a little more up to date. Tokyo Hotel's "Scream", the English version of their 2005 German hit "Schrei". I detect a certain similarity in style between parts of this song and the Oasis hit "Don't look back in anger" - which I particularly like - (Watch out. Stay awake /And so, Sally can wait). Anyway, here's their video. Lyrics, as usual, on the left. Enjoy.
By the way, the singer's pronounciation in English is really good, don't you think?

IT'S MY LIFE

Here I am, sitting at home with my grandson, talking about music. He's not twelve yet and he's already strumming his father's guitar and making interesting sounds.

Anyway, we're trying to find common ground, songs that we both like, and it turns out that he's a Bon Jovi fan! He went to see them when they came to Barcelona last month.

(http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=KDrzqV3sR3c ).

I thought this song, that we both like, was a good example of Bon Jovi's music to add to my collection of favourites. I'm sure you'll enjoy this unplugged version where you can make out the words a bit better.

Lyrics on the left.