It’s April and this is The A To Z Challenge!
Continue reading “That’s Entertainment – Letter A”Tag: Music
Turning My Page
Written for Jimβs Thursday Inspiration #273 –
βTurn The Page’. My inspiration is the word
βsongβ and hereβs my spin on things.
Let The Music Play
Written for Shwetaβs Saturday Six Word Challenge #125
and Kevinβs The Beginning At Last/ No Theme Thursday
for 2/13/25. This weekβs prompt word is βescapeβ.
Here is my 6 word story.
The Ritual
Written for Sammiβs Weekend Writing Prompt #399,
using the word βgrooveβ. In 75 words, this is my story.
A Whole Lot Of Nothing
Our gracious host, Rochelle, at Friday Fictioneers
asks us to use the photo below as inspiration
to write creatively in 100 words or less while
making every word count. This is my flash.
Holiday Sounds
To Soothe The Savage Breast: An Ovi
Written for Ovi Poetry Challenge #76.
This weekβs inspiration word is βcalmβ.
Take a nice deep breath. This is my Ovi.
The Prayer
Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are
asked to get creative in 250 words or less using
the photo below as inspiration. This is my story.
A Great Working Relationship
Written for The New, Unofficial, On-Line Writerβs Guild.
This week the three prompts from Aooga at OLWG #388 are
(1) tea coloured eyes, (2) change the words of this poem,
and (3) New Mexico schmerz. We can use them as is,
as an inspiration or not at all. This is my story.
And The Music Goes Round And Round
Written for Keith Allenβs Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian
and his new blog βThe Toy In Your Lifeβ. Hereβs what I had to say.
For as long as I can remember, music has been in my life in one form or another. There was never a time when I was not singing in a choir or choral group, either in church or school. My family was musical and the house was always alive with radio music, records playing, someone practicing the piano, someone else playing the mandolin, someone tinkering with the guitar, recorder, squeezebox, drums, and everyone singing, singing, singing.
I will always remember my Christmas present when I was 12 years old β¦ a portable record player which my parents repeatedly made very clear was notΒ βa toyβ. I knew that! The toy phonographs came with Howdy Doody decals or Mickey Mouse ears and were made out of cardboard painted to look like leather or plastic. I had those toy record players which didn’t last very long; this was the real deal. To me, my teal blue General Electric Solid State record player was βthe Holy Grailβ! My parents spent βgood money on that thingβ and expected me to treat it with respect. What they didnβt predict was how I would worship that suitcase phonograph every day of my life.
This baby had built-in speakers that really blew! And a real diamond tip needle. My older cousin Joseph taught me the proper way to raise and lower the arm and how to safely get the dust off my records. My parents gave me and my sister a weekly allowance and I used most of my money to buy records.
The first 45 to grace my record player was βDa Doo Ron Ronβ by the Crystals (which was prophetic because βhis name was Billβ!). The early girl groups were my idols; I loved their sound and their lyrics were perfect for young girls with hormones working overtime. Then the Beatles invaded the US and my life was changed forever.
That GE teal blue record player became my best friend and I took very good care of it. After I was married, we had a hi-tech stereo system in the living room but I still kept my phonograph upstairs in the bedroom where weβd listen to romantic tunes like βA Million To Oneβ, βDaddyβs Homeβ, βI Only Have Eyes For Youβ and βOoh Baby Babyβ. When our sons were old enough, I handed down my record player to them and now our 15 year old granddaughter has it in her bedroom. Her latest purchase was the soundtrack to Guardians of the Galaxy which is pretty damn cool.
Thanks to Keith Allen for the invitation to write a little something on his new blog. I hope you enjoyed what I had to share today.
Iβm Nancy, The Sicilian Storyteller.
See you on the flip side. π
NARΒ©2024
This is βDa Doo Ron Ronβ by the Crystals
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
Flying … or … Volare
Written for Song Lyric Sunday. This week Jim Adams has asked his
readers to choose a song they remember from their childhood.
Music has always been a huge part of my life since my days growing up in The Bronx. Every self-respecting Italian family has a finished basement β¦ one wide open room with a kitchen, eating area, a space for family activities, a TV area, a bathroom and closed-off workshop. Our television was one of those big console units which also included a radio and stereo with a storage cabinet and looked something like this:
When my sister and I listened to our music, my mother would either be cooking or in her sewing area and Dad would be at the kitchen table working on a crossword puzzle. He claimed he didnβt like our music but he never actually left the room when it was on. However, on Saturday afternoons my father commandeered the radio so he could listen to his favorite Italian show called βPasquale C.O.D.β I remember it being just like WMCA β¦ the station I listed … only in Italian. Pasquale was the DJ whoβd talk about everything from food to politics and play the top hits from Italy and the US.
In 1958 there was a song we heard often and it became a family favorite; it got to be so popular, it wasnβt just limited to Dadβs Italian station. People all around the world could hear Domenico Modugno singing his hit “Nel blu, dipinto di blu“, more commonly known as βVolareβ. Modugno composed the music and, along with Franco Migliacci, wrote the lyrics. The single was released on February 1, 1958.
The song spent five non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 in August and September 1958, and subsequently became Billboardβs #1 single for the year. In 1959, at the 1st Annual Grammy Awards, Modugno’s recording became the first ever Grammy winner for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. For more info about βVolareβ, you can click HERE.
Here is βNel blu, dipinto di blu (Volare)β by Domenico Modugno. This oneβs for you, Dad.
LYRICS
I think a dream like this will never come back
Penso che un sogno così non ritorni mai più
I painted my hands and face blue
Mi dipingevo le mani e la faccia di blu
Then suddenly I was kidnapped by the wind
Poi d’improvviso venivo dal vento rapito
And I began to fly in the infinite sky
E incominciavo a volare nel cielo infinito
Flying oh, oh
Volare oh, oh
Singing oh, oh
Cantare oh, oh
In the blue painted blue
Nel blu dipinto di blu
Happy to be up there
Felice di stare lassΓΉ
And I flew, I flew happily higher than the sun
E volavo, volavo felice piΓΉ in alto del sole
And even higher
Ed ancora piΓΉ su
While the world slowly disappeared far away down there
Mentre il mondo pian piano spariva lontano laggiΓΉ
Sweet music played just for me
Una musica dolce suonava soltanto per me
Flying oh, oh
Volare oh, oh
Singing oh, oh
Cantare oh, oh
In the blue painted blue
Nel blu dipinto di blu
Happy to be up there
Felice di stare lassΓΉ
But all dreams fade away in the dawn
Ma tutti i sogni nell’alba svaniscon perchΓ©
When the moon sets, it takes them with it
Quando tramonta la luna li porta con sΓ©
But I continue to dream in your beautiful eyes
Ma io continuo a sognare negli occhi tuoi belli
Which are blue like a sky studded with stars
Che sono blu come un cielo trapunto di stelle
Flying oh, oh
Volare oh, oh
Singing oh, oh
Cantare oh, oh
In the blue of your blue eyes
Nel blu degli occhi tuoi blu
Happy to be down here
Felice di stare quaggiΓΉ
And I continue to fly happily higher than the sun
E continuo a volare felice piΓΉ in alto del sole
And even higher
Ed ancora piΓΉ su
While the world slowly disappears in your blue eyes
Mentre il mondo pian piano scompare negli occhi tuoi blu
Your voice is sweet music that plays for me
La tua voce Γ¨ una musica dolce che suona per me
Flying oh, oh
Volare oh, oh
Singing oh, oh
Cantare oh, oh
In the blue of your blue eyes
Nel blu degli occhi tuoi blu
Happy to be down here
Felice di stare quaggiΓΉ
In the blue of your blue eyes
Nel blu degli occhi tuoi blu
Happy to be down here
Felice di stare quaggiΓΉ
With you
Con te
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Domenico Modugno/Franco Migliacci
Nel blu, dipinto di blu lyrics Β© Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
There were more than 100 different recordings of βVolareβ worldwide but my favorite from 1960 was the version by Italian-American pop singer Bobby Rydell (Ridarelli). Even my dad thought he sounded pretty good! His recording reached #4 on the Hot 100 during the summer of 1960, #22 in the UK and #3 in Canada. Here is Bobby Rydellβs version.
Of course, we couldnβt go flying without the wonderful Il Volo (flight) and their rendition of βVolareβ. These young vocal sensations came on the scene long after my father passed away; I wonder what he’d think of them. Here is Il Volo.
Big thanks to Jim Adams for hosting another great Song Lyric Sunday this week. Be sure to click the link and check out Jimβs site.
Thanks for stopping by. See you on the flip side. π
NARΒ©2024
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
Sign Language
Written for Friday Fictioneers where Rochelle asks us to
get creative in 100 words or less. Making every word count
and using Dale’s photo below as inspiration, here is my flash.
Since we was kids it was just me and Roxie. Nobody wanted us but we didnβt care.Β We was crazy in love, wild about each other. We didnβt need nobody stickinβ their noses in our beeswax.
Long as we was together, nothin’ else much mattered, y’know?
We got a gig flippinβ flapjacks, a tin roof over our heads, a bed, and a hi-fi for spinninβ tunes.
We do our jobs each day, make mad love every night, and dance in the glittery moonlight.
We’re happy and there’s no hidin’ the signs. The whole shack shimmies.
Thatβs more than most folks got.
NARΒ©2024
100 Words
This is βLove Shackβ by The B-52’s
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
In A Groove
Written for dVerse Poets Quadrille #207 Spin Cycle
Hold my hand, honey
and take me for a spin
Twirl me βround the dance floor
Iβm loving the spin Iβm in
Whisper those sweet nothings, baby
send shivers up my spine
and make my head spin, lover
tonight I’m gonna make you mine
NARΒ©2024
44 Words
This is βThat Old Black Magicβ by Louis Prima and Keely Smith, the Heppest of the Hep!
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
What Would Dylan Do?
Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are asked
to be creative with 100 words or less using the
photo below for inspiration. Here is my story.
βLieutenant! Weβre getting a reading from the drone!β
βGimme that, Krebbs! It shows beyond these woods is a clearing with what appears to be life forms. Round up the team; letβs check this out.β
Guns drawn, the squad stealthily worked its way to the clearing. Slowly they emerged; the lieutenant pushed back his fedora and whistled through his teeth.
βWell, lookie here! Itβs the MIA grunge band, Rockit Gibraltar!β
βAre they dead, Lieutenant?β
βNah! Theyβre stoned. Must be that ramped-up drug β¦. Double Rubble. Call for a chopper, one equipped with a boulder holder. This ainβt no soft rock band!“
NARΒ©2024
100 Words
This is βLike A Rolling Stoneβ by Bob Dylan
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
Twofer Tuesday 5.14
Whether solo or with Roxy Music, this is one of the few Bryan Ferry tracks that cracks a wide smile, sending up his jet-set image while celebrating it at the same time. Originally recorded by soul singer Dobie Gray, βThe βInβ Crowdβ often gets confused for a Motown number, thanks to the labelβs arranger Gene Page, who gave the single the Motown touch. Before Ferry tackled the tune, Ramsey Lewis Trio recorded a live instrumental version in 1964; later, Cheap Trick performed a cover of Ferryβs cover. Confused yet?
In the US, Gray’s powerful version, complete with brass section, reached #11 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart and #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 on February 20, 1965. Outside the US, “The “In” Crowd” went to #25 on the UK Singles Chart and #8 in Canada.
Bryan Ferryβs 1974 singles release reached #13 on the UK Singles Chart. His album cover for βAnother Time, Another Placeβ, which featured βThe βInβ Crowdβ, is one of the coolest in a James Bond kind of way.
By Dobie Gray in 1964, here is the original “The “In” Crowd”.
And this is what it sounded like when Bryan Ferry recorded it.
And just because it’s my post and I can do whatever I like π this is the Ramsey Lewis Trio showing us how to do jazz right.
Thatβs todayβs Twofer Tuesday plus one! Thanks for stopping by!
See you on the flip side. π
NARΒ©2024
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not for use by anyone without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
Freedomland, USA
Back in 1960, before the first Six Flags opened in Texas, there was Freedomland USA β¦. a fantastic, 85-acre amusement park with rides, restaurants, attractions, shopping, etc. And one of the things that made this wonderland so amazing was the fact that it was about 20 minutes from my house in The Bronx, NY. We would sit on our front porch at night and watch the fireworks coming from Freedomland.
“What else was so special about the place?”, you ask; well, it was the music hall known as the Moon Bowl!
In an attempt to attract visitors of varying ages, the Moon Bowl featured swing bands from the 1940s and contemporary pop stars. There was a stage and a 15,000 square foot outdoor dance floor. Among the performers who entertained us (and who I saw) were the Count Basie Orchestra, Paul Anka, Bobby Darin, Connie Francis, Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker and more.
Somewhere in my attic I have many tickets and autographs tucked away with all my Beatles scrapbooks and R&R memorabilia. I was a very lucky girl who got to meet a lot of famous people! Unfortunately, Freedomland USA went belly up after just five seasons but I have memories that will last forever.
Today I am featuring one of the performers I saw at Freedomland, the place where I fell in love with him when I was 10 years old β¦. the one-and-only Bobby Darin, definitely tops on my list. He can bring me out of a lousy mood or help me chill when Iβm feeling stressed out.
There arenβt enough adjectives to describe the incredible talents of Bobby Darin. He was the consummate performer, a one-man show who composed songs, conducted the orchestra, sang different genres of music, danced, played the drums, piano, harmonica and guitar, did impressions, acted in movies and dazzled us with his Sinatra-like charm, mannerisms and sense of humor. My fellow-New Yorker was born Walden Robert Cassotto on May 14, 1936. It was a time when ethnic-sounding names such as his were frowned-upon by music producers; they felt something more white bread Americana would help these performers with strange names go further in the biz so Walden Robert Cassotto became Bobby Darin.
Bobby was only 37 years old when he died .β¦ recurring bouts of rheumatic fever as a child left him with a seriously weakened heart. Believing his time on earth was limited, he lived his life to the fullest, pushing himself to all he could. In 1973, after failing to take antibiotics to protect his heart before a dental visit, Bobby developed sepsis. On December 19, 1973, a four-person surgical team worked for over six hours to repair his damaged heart. In the early morning hours of December 20, Bobby Darin died in the recovery room without regaining consciousness. That day the entertainment world lost one of its brightest stars and my own heart broke a little.
Β βMack The Knifeβ is undoubtedly Bobby Darinβs most famous hit β¦. a cool, finger-snapping song about the notorious killer, thief and arsonist, Macheath (AKA Mac the Knife). The song was originally written in 1928 for the German dramatic play Die Dreigroschenoper (Threepenny Opera) and sounds totally different than Bobby Darinβs version.
Another one of Bobbyβs hits is βBeyond The Seaβ, a jazzed-up version of a romantic love song based on the classical piece called βLe Merβ by French composer, lyricist, singer and showman Charles Trenet. The 2004 movie Beyond The Sea was released starring Kevin Spacey in the role of Bobby Darin. In case you only Spacey for his dramatic roles and have never seen him in a musical role, youβre in for a treat. Spacey is a master of impersonations and sang all Bobby Darinβs songs himself. He became Bobby Darin and if you like dramatic biographies with a splash of nightclub routines, youβll love this movie.
Anything else you want to know about Freedomland, USA or Bobby Darin you can Google or read in Wiki. Iβm just so grateful I had a chance to spend my pre-teen years in a place like Freedomland where I got to see Bobby Darin up close and personal and got his autograph. People have asked me βWhy donβt you sell some of this stuff? Youβve got a treasure trove packed away.β Yeah, itβs a treasure trove and thatβs exactly why Iβll be keeping it for as long as I live.
This is Bobby Darin performing his greatest hit, βMack The Knifeβ on the Ed Sullivan Show, May 31, 1959.
Now βBeyond The Seaβ, also from the same airing of the Ed Sullivan show.
In this video, several of the many talents of the fabulous Bobby Darin are put on display. Bobby sings, plays bluesy harmonica, boogies on piano and performs a blistering Gene Krupa style drum solo. Live on the David Frost Show, 1972 β¦. 18 months before his death.
I hope you enjoyed taking a walk with me down Memory Lane …. not just sharing my fond, girlhood memories of Freedomland but remembering the remarkable Bobby Darin.
See you on the flip side. π
NARΒ©2024
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
Houston’s Song Of The Week
Don’t worry. I won’t bore you with endless chatter. Truly, I don’t have much more to say other than “Follow this guy”! Houston Roby is an excellent source of info, great music and interesting tidbits about music/bands/songs/etc …. some which may be new to us and others we forgot we even knew. Whatever the case, he’s definitely worth a read and a listen, I assure you. Enjoy today’s post.
Take it away, Houston!
NARΒ©2024
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.
The Song Remains The Same
Once upon a time I was writing music blogs for a great little site called The Rhythm Section (TRS). Some of you followed my posts there; others were unaware of the site’s existence. As of a few days ago, The Rhythm Section was officially shut down.
I had the dream of starting my own music blog and gave it a great deal of thought; unfortunately, too many things got in the way. In the end I decided I had neither the time nor the ambition to maintain two sites and give both the attention they deserve.
I spent a lot of time working on TRS and thought “what a shame to let everything I wrote simply fade away”. And so I’m moving on, away from forces and people who drag me down and doing more of what makes me happy … like making one site out of two.
With that thought in mind, I have transferred every one of my posts from The Rhythm Section and incorporated them into The Elephantβs Trunk; they are all here in chronological order, tucked away between my stories, poems and other music posts. While looking them over, I have discovered some graphics did not survive the transfer; that’s unfortunate but it’s the chance we take when moving a lot of data around. Fortunately, the text and videos are intact.
I invite you, if you are so inclined, to check out TRS posts; they are dated March 2, 2023 and run through December 31, 2023. You’ll find them.
I hope you enjoy the words I have written and the music I have chosen.
See you on the flip side. π
NARΒ©2024
PS – This is a link to my first TRS post: https://theelephantstrunk.org/2023/03/02/at-the-movies/
This is Led Zeppelin, βThe Song Remains The Sameβ
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR Β© 2017-present.
On The Roof
Prompts today from Jim at Song Lyric Sunday
and Linda at Daily Prompt – JusJoJan
Todayβs challenge from Jimβs Song Lyric Sunday is to write about a song that mentions clothing accessories suggested by Christine of Stine Writing and Miniatures. Now thatβs an interesting topic!
I started working on this post a couple of days ago, thinking about βaccessoriesβ; at the time I didnβt have Christineβs list of suggestions and some of the items I came up with were shoelaces, hats, ties, scarves, belts, hairpins, assorted jewelry, purses and socks. And thatβs where I stopped β at socks. I was curious about that because I thought socks were not considered “accessories” but rather actual articles of clothing. It’s definitely debatable and when I saw them on the list I was thrilled because I had a great song in my head.
And that song is ββIβve Got a Feelingβ by the Beatles. Thereβs absolutely no need to discuss the group so letβs just get into the song.
“I’ve Got a Feeling” is from the Beatles 1970 album βLet It Beβ and was recorded almost 55 years ago on January 30, 1969 during the Beatlesβ rooftop concert. It is a combination of two unfinished songs β Paul McCartneyβs “Iβve Got a Feelingβ and John Lennonβs βEverybody Had a Hard Yearβ.
McCartney’s unfinished song was written for his girlfriend Linda Eastman and is quite upbeat, telling her that she was the girl he had always wanted. In Lennon’s song, each line begins with the word “everybody” and isnβt as light as Paulβs. John had a bad year: he divorced Cynthia, he and his son Julian became estranged, his girlfriend Yoko Ono had a miscarriage, he was arrested for drug possession, and he was increasingly discontent in the group. Critics called it a βlitanyβ and they were right.
So, βWhatβs socks got to do with this song?β you ask. Very simple: one line that goes βEverybody pulled their socks upβ. Sound familiar? Letβs have a listen:
From that legendary rooftop concert, here are the Beatles with βIβve Got a Feelingβ. I honestly think this is one of the greatest things they ever did. To capture this performance on a roof with no monitors in the freezing cold with the police breathing down their necks is just incredible.
This is “I’ve Got A Feeling” from the Beatles rooftop concert
Lyrics
I’ve got a feeling
A feeling deep inside
Oh yeah
Oh yeah, that’s right
I’ve got a feeling
A feeling I can’t hide
Oh no, no
Oh no
Oh no
Yeah, yeah
I’ve got a feeling, yeah
Oh please believe me
I’d hate to miss the train
Oh yeah, yeah
Oh yeah
And if you leave me
I won’t be late again
Oh no
Oh no
Oh no
Yeah, yeah
I’ve got a feeling, yeah
I’ve got a feeling
All these years, I’ve been wanderin’ around
Wonderin’ how come nobody told me
All that I been lookin’ for was somebody who looked like you
Ooh, I’ve got a feeling
That keeps me on my toes
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
I’ve got a feeling
I think that everybody knows
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Yeah, yeah
I’ve got a feeling, yeah
Yeah
Everybody had a hard year
Everybody had a good time
Everybody had a wet dream
Everybody saw the sunshine
Oh yeah (oh yeah)
Oh yeah, oh yeah (yeah)
Everybody had a good year
Everybody let their hair down
Everybody pulled their socks up (yeah)
Everybody put their foot down
Oh yeah
Yeah
Woo
I’ve got a feeling (everybody had a good year)
A feeling deep inside (everybody had a hard time)
Oh yeah (everybody had a wet dream)
Oh yeah (everybody saw the sunshine)
I’ve got a feeling (everybody had a good year)
A feeling I can’t hide (everybody let their hair down)
Oh no (everybody pulled their socks up)
Oh no, no (everybody put their foot down, oh yeah)
Yeah, yeah
I’ve got a feeling (oh yeah)
I’ve got a feeling (oh yeah)
I’ve got a feeling
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Oh my soul, so hard)
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: John Lennon / Paul McCartney
Iβve Got a Feeling lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
| “I’ve Got a Feeling” | |
|---|---|
| Song by the Beatles | |
| from the album Let It Be | |
| Released | 8 May 1970 |
| Recorded | 30 January 1969 |
| Studio | Apple, EMI and Olympic Sound, London |
| Genre | Blues rock, Hard rock |
| Length | 3:37 |
| Label | Apple |
| Songwriter(s) | Lennon-McCartney |
| Producder(s) | Phil Spector |
This is what John Lennon’s song sounds like. Here is “Everybody Had a Hard Year”
NARΒ©2024
SATURDAY HARRISONG
It’s only fitting that we conclude this week of “All Things George” with one of my favorite George Harrison songs.
βTaxmanβ was the sixth song by George to appear on a Beatles album; out of all the Beatles songs combined (not counting solo work), only 22 were written by George. “Taxman” was released as the opening track on βRevolverβ in 1966. Itβs a powerful piece of guitar rock with a sexy beat that dives into psychedelic rock.
Written from the perspective of a federal agent, the song sarcastically attacks the high levels of progressive tax taken by the British government of then Prime Minister Harold Wilson.
Early on, the press called the Beatles millionaires; they were so naΓ―ve, they didnβt realize their millions were earnings, not assets, and they needed to set aside a lot of those earnings for taxes. They were never happy about that and thatβs why George wrote βTaxmanβ. Theyβd been poor boys who worked hard to make their money and now someone was trying to take it away β¦. something we can all relate to.
This song named names and pointed fingers; itβs down and dirty, gritty and sexy, and I didnβt need any more convincing that George had it going on. This song bashed me over the head like a caveman and dragged me home by the hair β¦. and I loved it.
From 1966βs Revolver, with superb artwork by the brilliant Klaus Voormann, this is the gritty, sexy, down and dirty βTaxmanβ.
Lyrics
One, two, three, four
One, two (one, two, three, four)
Let me tell you how it will be
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
‘Cause I’m the taxman
Yeah, I’m the taxman
Should five percent appear too small
Be thankful I don’t take it all
‘Cause I’m the taxman
Yeah, I’m the taxman
I’ll tax the street
(If you try to sit, sit) I’ll tax your seat
(If you get too cold, cold) I’ll tax the heat
(If you take a walk, walk) I’ll tax your feet
(Taxman)
‘Cause I’m the taxman
Yeah, I’m the taxman
Don’t ask me what I want it for
(Ah, ah, Mr. Wilson)
If you don’t want to pay some more
(Ah, ah, Mr. Heath)
‘Cause I’m the taxman
Yeah, I’m the taxman
Now my advice for those who die (taxman)
Declare the pennies on your eyes (taxman)
‘Cause I’m the taxman
Yeah, I’m the taxman
And you’re working for no one but me (taxman)
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: George Harrison
Taxman lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
I hope you enjoyed reading about George this week as much as I enjoyed writing about him. Thanks, and remember…..
There’s not a single thing wrong with a George Harrisong!
NAR Β© 2023
FRIDAY HARRISONG
After a couple of discreet contributions to βHelp!β, George really started taking his revenge with βRubber Soulβ and began to show his enormous capacity as a songwriter. With this new-found theme, George was on his way to surpassing himself on each upcoming album.
I thought I couldnβt dig George any more than I already did, but when this song came out in 1965, I realized I was wrong. I was under his spell!
In his 1980 autobiography, βI, Me, Mineβ, George recalls a little about the inspiration behind “Think for Yourself”. He said that his intention was to target narrow-minded thinking and identified the British government as a possible source. Partly as a result of the vagueness of his comments, the song has been interpreted as both a political commentary and a statement on a failing personal relationship.
The song reflects the influence of Bob Dylan; just as their songs had encouraged Dylan to embrace rock music,Β Dylan’s work inspired the Beatles (and particularly George, as a budding songwriter),Β to address more sophisticated concepts than the standard love song. Some critics likened βThink For Yourselfβ to Dylan’s Β βPositively 4th Streetβ β¦. not too shabby a comparison!
From 1965βs fantastic βRubber Soulβ, this is the impressive, heavy-hitting βThink For Yourselfβ.
Lyrics
I’ve got a word or two
To say about the things that you do
You’re telling all those lies
About the good things that we can have
If we close our eyes
Do what you want to do
And go where you’re going to
Think for yourself
‘Cause I won’t be there with you
I left you far behind
The ruins of the life that you had in mind
And though you still can’t see
I know your mind’s made up
You’re gonna cause more misery
Do what you want to do
And go where you’re going to
Think for yourself
‘Cause I won’t be there with you
Although your mind’s opaque
Try thinking more if just for your own sake
The future still looks good
And you’ve got time to rectify
All the things that you should
Do what you want to do
And go where you’re going to
Think for yourself
‘Cause I won’t be there with you
Do what you want to do
And go where you’re going to
Think for yourself
‘Cause I won’t be there with you
Think for yourself
‘Cause I won’t be there with you
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: George Harrison
Think for Yourself lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
| “Think for Yourself” | |
| Song by the Beatles | |
| from the album Rubber Soul | |
| Published | Northern Songs |
| Released | 3 December 1965 |
| Recorded | 8 November 1965 |
| Studio | EMI, London |
| Genre | Pop rock rock |
| Length | 2:18 |
| Label | Parlophone |
| Songwriter(s) | George Harrison |
| Producer(s) | George Martin |
There’s not a single thing wrong with a George Harrisong!
NAR Β© 2023
THURSDAY HARRISONG
You may have picked up on a theme here in my ‘all things George’ week. I started with the first song by George to appear on a Beatles album and am working my way up chronologically β¦. managing somehow to have overlooked two! π€¦πΌββοΈ One of those songs appears today; the other will appear tomorrow. By Saturday Iβll be back on track with the correct chronology. True Giorgiophiles didn’t call me out on that booboo but those two songs are very good ones and deserve airtime here. Mea culpa!
Letβs backtrack a bit to the third George song included on a Beatles album. It was his second composition for theΒ βHelp!β album, recorded in 1965 for the film of the same name but it never made it to the soundtrack.
George double-tracked his vocals, with Paul joining in at certain times. Double-tracking vocals is the act of recording a vocal part two or more times, attempting to match each performance as closely as possible to the original, both in phrasing and in pitch, to add depth, dimension, character and harmony. (If you’re familiar with the songs of Connie Francis, you’ll know that she is famous for double-tracking and she certainly did it well.)
Presumably written about his relationship with Pattie Boyd (another ode to the divine Ms. B!) this is “You Like Me Too Much” from βHelp!β or βBeatles IVβ, depending on which side of the pond youβre located.
Lyrics
Though you’ve gone away this morning
You’ll be back again tonight
Telling me there’ll be no next time
If I just don’t treat you right
You’ll never leave me and you know it’s true
‘Cause you like me too much and I like you
You’ve tried before to leave me
But you haven’t got the nerve
To walk out and make me lonely
Which is all that I deserve
You’ll never leave me and you know it’s true
‘Cause you like me too much and I like you
I really do
And it’s nice when you believe me
If you leave me
I will follow you and bring
You back where you belong
‘Cause I couldn’t really stand it
I’d admit that I was wrong
I wouldn’t let you leave me ’cause it’s true
‘Cause you like me too much and I like you
‘Cause you like me too much and I like you
I really do
And it’s nice when you believe me
If you leave me
I will follow you and bring
You back where you belong
‘Cause I couldn’t really stand it
I’d admit that I was wrong
I wouldn’t let you leave me ’cause it’s true
‘Cause you like me too much and I like you
‘Cause you like me too much and I like you
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: George Harrison
You Like Me Too Much lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
| “You Like Me Too Much” | |
| Song by the Beatles | |
| from the album Help! | |
| Released | 14 June 1965 (US: Beatles IV) 6 August 1965 (UK: Help!) |
| Recorded | 17 February 1965 |
| Studio | EMI, London |
| Genre | Pop rock |
| Length | 2:35 |
| Label | Parlophone |
| Songwriter(s) | George Harrison |
| Producer(s) | George Martin |
There’s not a single thing wrong with a George Harrisong!
NAR Β© 2023
Join me today for
Birthday Thursdays.
No fuss, no muss;
just wall-to-wall music!
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WEDNESDAY HARRISONG
Today we mark the 22nd anniversary of George Harrisonβs death; as I said the other day in my post on Song Lyric Sunday, the passing of George broke my heart. The youngest of the Beatles, he was only eight years my senior, almost to the day, but when I was 13 or 14 years old, that eight years seemed like a huge age gap.
I was in my car driving up to Rhinebeck NY to see my mother and sister when the news came on the car radio. I cried for the rest of the trip and, upon my arrival, shared the sad news with them. The irony was not lost on me how 36 years earlier the three of us bonded at a happier occasion β¦. the Beatles concert at Shea Stadium. The Lads always had a way of bringing people together.
And they still do for here we are once again brought together by their great music!
After βWith The Beatlesβ and βHelp!β, George was ready to take his long over-due revenge with βRubber Soulβ. βIf I Needed Someoneβ marked the start of his (acknowledged) emergence as a songwriter beside the likes of Lennon and McCartney.
This is yet another song which George wrote for his future wife, Pattie Boyd. She must have been something else, that Pattie, to have two men (George and Eric Clapton) fall madly in love with her, marry her and have three songs (that I know of) written for her!
In βIf I Needed Someoneβ, George invites is love interest to βCarve your number on my wallβ yet offers only the possibility that he will call her back. I always loved the way he cleverly used the word βcarveβ when a songwriter of lesser chops would have gone with the word βwriteβ.
From 1965βs βRubber Soulβ here is βIf I Needed Someoneβ. There’s not a single thing wrong with a George Harrisong!
LYRICS
If I needed someone to love
You’re the one that I’d be thinking of
If I needed someone
If I had some more time to spend
Then I guess I’d be with you, my friend
If I needed someone
Had you come some other day
Then it might not have been like this
But you see now I’m too much in love
Carve your number on my wall
And maybe you will get a call from me
If I needed someone
Ah, ah, ah, ah
If I had some more time to spend
Then I guess I’d be with you, my friend
If I needed someone
Had you come some other day
Then it might not have been like this
But you see now I’m too much in love
Carve your number on my wall
And maybe you will get a call from me
If I needed someone
Ah, ah
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: George Harrison
If I Needed Someone lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
| “If I Needed Someone” | |
|---|---|
| Song by the Beatles | |
| from the album Rubber Soul | |
| Released | 3 December 1965 |
| Recorded | 16 and 18 October 1965 |
| Studio | EMI, London |
| Genre | Folk rock, pop rock, power pop |
| Length | 2:23 |
| Label | Parlophone |
| Songwriter(s) | George Harrison |
| Producer(s) | George Martin |
NAR Β© 2023
Here’s a link to a story I first wrote in 2021 then reposted earlier this year. Most of you have read it but some have not. I’m rather proud of this piece; a ton of research went into it and it took me about 2 weeks to paraphrase everything George said because the last thing I wanted was a cut and paste type of job. It’s about as close to the truth as I could get without actually sitting down and talking with George himself. Thank you! π©Ά
TUESDAY HARRISONG
Continuing with my βAll Things George Weekβ, today I have for you the 2nd of Georgeβs Beatles’ songs. If you remember from yesterday, his first song was written in 1963; it took another 2 years for George to get the much-coveted nod from Lennon and McCartney.
Recorded in 1965, this song appears in the Beatlesβ film βHelp!β in a scene filmed on Salisbury Plain (a chalk plateau in southern England covering 300 square miles) where the group was under military protection from a murderous cult. Ooh, very exciting!
The song is βI Need Youβ, originally written by George for Pattie Boyd, the English model/actress he married in January 1966, breaking millions of girlβs hearts around the world.
From the Beatlesβ album, βHelp!β, this is George Harrisonβs βI Need Youβ. Thereβs not a single thing wrong with a George Harrisong!
Lyrics
You don’t realize how much I need you
Love you all the time, never leave you
Please come on back to me
I’m lonely as can be
I need you
Said you had a thing or two to tell me
How was I to know you would upset me?
I didn’t realize as I looked in your eyes
You told me, oh, yes, you told me
You don’t want my lovin’ anymore
That’s when it hurt me
And feeling like this
I just can’t go on anymore
Please remember how I feel about you
I could never really live without you
So, come on back and see
Just what you mean to me
I need you
But when you told me
You don’t want my lovin’ anymore
That’s when it hurt me
And feeling like this
I just can’t go on anymore
Please remember how I feel about you
I could never really live without you
So, come on back and see
Just what you mean to me
I need you
I need you
I need you
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: George Harrison
I Need You lyrics Β© Bill-lee Music, Harrisongs Ltd
| “I Need You” | |
|---|---|
| Song by the Beatles | |
| from the album Help! | |
| Released | 6 August 1965 |
| Recorded | 15β16 February 1965 |
| Studio | EMI, London |
| Genre | Pop Rock, Folk Rock |
| Length | 2:28 |
| Label | Parlophone |
| Songwriter(s) | George Harrison |
| Producer(s) | George Margin |
NAR Β© 2023
I hope you’ll join me today
as I wrap up my edition of
I’m With The Banned.
It’s a post you won’t want to miss.
https://rhythmsection.blog/
MONDAY HARRISONG
This week Iβm doing something I never do: Iβm not going to write any stories (unless a word or photo prompt seduces me, which is always a possibility). I needed a little break and thought Iβd concentrate on my other great love: music.
November 29 is the 22nd anniversary of the death of George Harrison so this week is all about George and the songs he wrote while with the Beatles.
Letβs get the ball rolling with this little gem. Hereβs some background info:
Between August 19 and 24, 1963, the Beatles were playing some concerts in Bournemouth, on the southern coast of England, along with Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas and Tommy Quickly. Feeling sick and with orders from his doctor to rest, George had nothing to do in his room at the Palace Court Hotel. Bored, he began writing a song, recording himself on a portable tape recorder. The result was βDonβt Bother Meβ, Georgeβs first song to appear on a Beatlesβ album.
From the bandβs second album, βWith The Beatlesβ, this is βDonβt Bother Meβ. There’s not a single thing wrong with a George Harrisong!
Lyrics
Since she’s been gone I want no one to talk to me
It’s not the same, but I’m to blame, it’s plain to see
So go away and leave me alone
Don’t bother me
I can’t believe that she would leave me on my own
It’s just not right when every night I’m all alone
I’ve got no time for you right now
Don’t bother me
I know I’ll never be the same
If I don’t get her back again
Because I know she’ll always be
The only girl for me
But ’til she’s here, please, don’t come near, just stay away
I’ll let you know when she’s come home until that day
Don’t come around, leave me alone
Don’t bother me
I’ve got no time for you right now
Don’t bother me
I know I’ll never be the same
If I don’t get her back again
Because I know she’ll always be
The only girl for me
But ’til she’s here, please, don’t come near, just stay away
I’ll let you know when she’s come home until that day
Don’t come around, leave me alone
Don’t bother me
Don’t bother me
Don’t bother me
Don’t bother me
Don’t bother me
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: George Harrison
Donβt Bother Me lyrics Β© Jaep Music Ltd. – Dick James Music Ltd.
| “Don’t Bother Me” | |
| Song by the Beatles | |
| from the album With The Beatles | |
| Released | 22 November 1963 |
| Recorded | 12 September 1963 |
| Studio | EMI, London |
| Genre | Rock and Roll beat |
| Length | 2:29 |
| Label | Parlophone |
| Songwriter(s) | George Harrison |
| Producer(s) | George Martin |
NAR Β© 2023
DOTTIE PESSIN
Fandango gave us a Story Starter prompt and
Denise at GirlieOnTheEdge challenged us to write a
Six Sentence Story, being as creative with punctuation as we dare.
This is my answer to Fan’s prompt and Girlie’s challenge. Enjoy!
πΆπΆπΆ
One day when I was about nine years old, I was home with my mother when there was a knock on our door and when I answered it, I was very surprised to see Dottie Pessin β our pudgy-handed neighbor from around the corner who rarely made an appearance β standing there in her perpetually stained housecoat, carrying a thin, flat brown paper bag, hair in curlers, and declaring βOh, Nancy, Iβm so glad youβre home from school because I have something for you and Iβd like to come in to show you.β
Well, it wasnβt every day that someone came to our door unannounced bearing gifts for me for no reason under the sun, so I was not about to turn Dottie away (I was no fool, even back then), but my mother had now joined us and was somewhat suspicious about this strange, unexpected visit and asked Dottie to explain herself, to which Dottie replied βI was out shopping when I came across this album of kid’s songs and I immediately thought of Nancy, so I bought it hoping she would like it” and clapping her pudgy hands added “I’m very anxious for her reaction so let’s give it a listen.”
Now, I don’t mind telling you this surprised the hell out of me and pleased me no end because I was already madly in love with everything about music and could barely contain my excitement as I reached for my little record player with the image of Brenda Lee on the lid; Dottie apparently shared my enthusiasm and as the music played she kept asking me βDo you like it? Do you like it?β to which I had to admit I did indeed like it very much (seeing as how I was a kid listening to an album of kid’s songs β what’s not to like?).
We listened to one side of the album and, as I was flipping it over to listen to the other side, Dottie exclaimed βOh, Iβm so pleased you like the album but I just noticed the time and the “Edge Of Night” is coming on in 15 minutes so Iβm going to take the record back now and be on my wayβ; my mother, ever in She-Wolf mode, saw the confused and let-down look on my face and was damn well taken aback herself by that strange and sudden announcement by Dottie β¦. after all, the album was supposed to be a gift β¦. and my mother questioned Dottie in no uncertain terms βJust what the hell do you mean youβll take Nancy’s gift back, Dottie?β
Without an apparent thought for others nor the slightest bit of remorse or worry …. not about my mother’s sizzling Sicilian volcano temper nor the sadness building in my eyes …. Dottie replied βOh, this isnβt a gift for Nancy; I bought this for my friendβs daughter whoβs the same age as Nancy, but since I donβt know anything about little girls (never having had any myself) and the things they like, I wanted to run it by Nancy first to get her opinion, just to make sure it was a good gift and my friend’s daughter wouldn’t be disappointedβ, and with that, Dottie Pessin …. our pudgy-handed neighbor from around the corner who rarely made an appearance …. patted the curlers in her hair, took her thin, flat brown paper bag with the album of kidβs songs inside, held it tightly against her perpetually stained housecoat and bounced out our house like the giant green Grinch helium balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade without so much as a pudgy-handed wave or a glance over her shoulder to spy a regret-filled teardrop fall onto my purple Daisy Duck sweater (because all the other girls wore Minnie Mouse sweaters and I was never like all the other girls).
Now, you may be asking yourself βCould something this bizarre really be true and how could that woman screw with a little girl’s feelings like that?β and I will tell you that it most certainly is true β every pitiful word; I have no idea how someone could be so unaware and insensitive (unless they have their head so far up their ass they can smell Brylcreem) but, after 60-plus years, I still remember that surreal afternoon with Dottie Pessin like it was yesterday and, being a smart cookie for a 9 year old, I had the same thought about Dottie back then as I have this very moment: “What a stupid bitch!” π
NAR Β© 2023
This is the Rolling Stones performing “Bitch” …. as if anything else would do!
It’s time to celebrate
Birthday Thursdays
over at The Rhythm Section.
No fuss, no muss β
just wall-to-wall music.
Stop by for some cake and sympathy!
π
https://rhythmsection.blog/
SIGN OF THE GYPSY QUEEN
Today Jim at Song Lyric Sunday is asking us to think about a musical group with a type of food in its name and write about one of their songs. I have chosen the Canadian hard rock group April Wine and their song Sign of the Gypsy Queen.
β
“Sign of the Gypsy Queen” was written and originally recorded by Lorence Hud. The song became a hit in Canada when released as a single in 1973. Hud’s version appeared on his eponymous debut album. The song reached the top 5 on the West Coast, #3 on CJRW-FM in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, and peaked at #16 nationally on the RPM 100 chart.
April Wine had more success with its 1981 hard rock version of the song. It was the second single from their album, The Nature of the Beast. The song reached #40 on the Canadian Hot 100, and #57 in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100, and #19 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.
This version has become popular on album-oriented rock radio stations, getting frequent airplay in the United States and Canada; a music video aired on MTV’s first day of broadcast. It remains one of the group’s signature songs and a live concert staple.
“Sign of the Gypsy Queen” gained a brief resurgence in popularity when it was featured in an episode of the American television series Breaking Bad in 2013. The episode, βGranite Stateβ, received critical acclaim, and is one of the most popular episodes in the series history.
Sign of the Gypsy Queen β by April Wine
Lyrics
Lightning smokes on the hillrise
Brought the man with the warning light
Shouting loud you had better fly
While the darkness can help you hide
Trouble’s comin’ without control
No one’s stayin’ that’s got a hope
Hurricane at the very least
In the words of the gypsy queen
Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go
Get my saddle and tie it on
Western wind who is fast and strong
Jump on back, he’s good and long
We’ll resist till we reach the dawn
Running seems like the best offense
Staying just don’t make any sense
No one could ever stop it now
Show the cards of the gypsy town
Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go
Shadows movin’ without a sound
From the hold of the sleepless town
Evil seems to be everywhere
Heed the spirit that brought despair
Trouble’s comin’ without control
No one’s stayin’ that’s got a hope
Hurricane at the very least
In the words of the gypsy queen
Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go
Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go
Sign of the gypsy queen
Pack your things and leave
Word of a woman who knows
Take all your gold and you go
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Lorence Hud
Sign of the Gypsy Queen lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
| “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” | |
| Single by April Wine | |
| from the album The Nature of the Beast | |
| B-side | “Crash and Burn” |
| Released | 1981 |
| Studio | Le Manoir |
| Genre | Hard rock progressive rock |
| Length | 4:18 |
| Label | Aquarius Capitol |
| Songwriter(s) | Lorence Hud |
| Producer(s) | Myles Goodwyn Mike “Clay” Stone |
| April Wine singles chronology | |
| “Just Between You and Me“ (1980) “Sign of the Gypsy Queen“ (1981) “Enough Is Enough” (1981) | |
| Audio | |
| “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” on YouTube | |
NAR Β© 2023
IN TRANSIT
Bob was having a bad day.
βGreat! Just great! First I drop my phone in the toilet; now I canβt find my Magellan! Where is that dang GPS? I coulda sworn I put it in the glove box a couple of years ago. This aughta be fun, trying to figure out how to get to my sales meeting without directions. Lemme take another look.
Nope, itβs not in here but thereβs my jumper cables. Thought I lost them the time my engine died on me the night of the office Christmas party. Hot damn, that was a wild shindig! Who woulda guessed Uptight Tina from R&D could be such a temptress?
Letβs see what we got here β¦ napkins, ketchup packets, pencils, pencils, more pencils, a menu from Panda Pavilion, a roach clip. No GPS. Now hold on just a second. Whatβs this? Oh man, do my eyes deceive me? A cassette tape! Right on!! Ah, that explains all the pencils! Oh man, from the days when music was good.
Hmm, looks like one of my old homemade jobs. I wonder whatβs on it β¦ writingβs all smudged so could be anything. Well, Iβm good and lost but at least Iβll have some company on the road. Iβm just gonna slip this baby in and see what develops.
πΆπΆ πΈ πΆπΆ
Far out!! βFree Birdβ!!β
NAR Β© 2023
ALL IN GOOD TIME
My son David is a librarian by vocation. Then there are the times he moonlights as lead tenor with the Taconic Opera Company and as a church singer for special holy days. He has a God-given talent and is quite brilliant. I like to think he inherited some of my musical skills as well. His brother Bill was there that night some 20+ years ago when David blew the roof off a karaoke bar singing an Iron Maiden song; at that point in time no one in the family knew David could sing. He also plays the bass trombone. Did I mention he has perfect pitch?
Davidβs wife Jessica is a doctor specializing in making chemo for cancer patients – an intense and demanding job. Somehow she also manages to be a super mom β part Wonder Woman, part Energizer Bunny. She is a beautiful woman, a stunning mezzo soprano with a wondrous soul and a remarkable mind. She has performed alongside David and is also a church singer often called on for weddings and funerals. Jessica plays the piano and cello and was chosen for All County Choir and All County Orchestra while in school. Iβm not sure if she has perfect pitch; if not, then damn close.
(I’d like to take a second to mention a bit of serendipity: When Jessica was with the All County Orchestra, David was, too, though they did not know each other at that time. They did not officially meet until 15 years later. Funny how that works. Now, back to the story.)
David and Jessica have a 3 Β½ year old daughter named Colette β my granddaughter whom I mention frequently when writing personal posts. Sheβs a joy, an absolutely glorious child. Colette loves music and is taking ballet lessons. She can also dig her heels in like nobodyβs business. Colette is a spitfire who obviously inherited equal amounts of her parentβs Sicilian-Irish-Italian genes. Add a splash of a Mt Etna temper when pushed beyond the breaking point, courtesy of yours truly, and you have the total package. A real βtesta duraβ or as we say in slang βgabadostβ.
As you can see, this little family of mine is extremely musical. David and Jessica sing around the house and now Colette has begun singing along β¦ and sheβs not shy about it. Recently, while singing βPuff the Magic Dragonβ, David and Jessica exchanged looks, bit their lips and tried not to laugh. With eyes rolling heavenward, they wondered βIs there any chance on Godβs green earth that we created a child who canβt sing in tune?β
Only time will tell.
NAR Β© 2023
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The Rhythm Section
for a special Guest Post.
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WHERE THERE’S SMOKE…
Deep Purple has been my go-to rock band for as long as I can remember. I saw them perform live twice and am a devoted follower of both Deep Purple and their “spin-off” group, “Rainbow”. What better song for Jimβs prompt today than βSmoke On The Waterβ?!
The lyrics tell a true story: on December 4, 1971, Deep Purple was in Montreux, Switzerland to record the album βMachine Headβ.
On the eve of the recording session, a concert with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention was held in the casino’s theatre. This was the theatre’s final concert before the complex closed down for its annual winter renovations, which would allow Deep Purple to record there.
At the beginning of the Mothers’ keyboardist Don Prestonβs synthesizer solo on “King Kong”, the place suddenly caught fire when somebody in the audience fired a flare gun towards the rattan-covered ceiling. Although there were no major injuries, the resulting fire destroyed the entire casino complex, along with all the Mothers’ equipment.
The “smoke on the water” line that became the title of the song referred to the smoke from the fire spreading over Lake Geneva from the burning casino as the members of Deep Purple watched from their hotel. Deep Purple’s Bassist Roger Glover said “It was probably the biggest fire I’d ever seen up to that point and probably ever seen in my life. It was a huge building. I remember there was very little panic getting out because it didn’t seem like much of a fire at first. But when it caught, it went up like a fireworks display.”
What a phenomenal classic rock song this is! All the lyrics from the song explain the event vividly. Listen closely and follow along with the written lyrics as the musical story unfolds:
Lyrics
We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile, yeah
We didn’t have much time now
Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
Smoke on the water, a fire in the sky
(Smoke) on the water, you guys are great
They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky Claude was running in and out
He was pulling kids out the ground now
When it all was over
Find another place
Swiss time was running out
It seemed that we would lose the race
Smoke on the water, a fire in the sky
Smoke on the water
Burn it down
We ended up at the Grand Hotel
It was empty, cold and bare
The Rolling truck Stones thing just outside
Huh, making our music there now
With a few red lights and a few old beds
We made a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know, I know we’ll never forget
Smoke on the water, a fire in the sky
Smoke on the water
(I can’t hear anything)
one more time
(Smoke on the water) hey!
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Ian Gillan / Jon Lord / Ritchie Blackmore / Roger Glover / Ian Paice
Smoke on the Water lyrics Β© Glenwood Music Corp.
NAR Β© 2023
The Elephant's Trunk 