Song Lyric Sunday – 10 October 2021 – And You and I

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Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. This week the prompt is to find a song that may include, or reference, one of the following: Heavenly Bodies, Planets, Moon, Sun, Stars suggested by King Ben’s Grandma

If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.

If someone were to condemn me to being able to listen to only one song ever again, this is the song I’d choose. I think it is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.  There is lots of information below but, because I’ve probably gone a bit over the top, and the video is over 12 minutes long, I have put the bulk at the bottom so you can get to the song quicker and only read the blurb if you are really, really interested!

The song is “And You And I” by “Yes” and is in four movements:

1. “Cord of Life”
2. “Eclipse”
3. “The Preacher, The Teacher”
4. “Apocalypse”

They are explained here. It may help to understand the work. (It may  not!)

The version that I think is best is from Symphonic Live which was recorded with the European Festival Orchestra in November 2001. This recording is enhanced greatly by the animators who superimposed the most inspired artwork of “You” and “I” helping one another in moments of despair and desolation. Unfortunately I can find no information about the source!

I hope you enjoy the experience!

Yes are an English progressive rock band who formed in London in 1968.  They played their first show at a youth camp in East Mersea, Essex on 4 August that year and were initially fairly laid back about their playing.  However, having witnessed an early King Crimson gig in 1969 they realised they needed to become more technically proficient and they started rehearsing in earnest. They have not looked back since and are considered as progressive rock pioneers. 

The band initially consisted of singer Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Peter Banks, keyboardist Tony Kaye and drummer Bill Bruford. Anderson suggested that they call the new band Life. Squire suggested that it be called World. Banks responded, simply, “yes”, and that was how the band were named.

“Yes” has undergone numerous formations throughout its history; nineteen musicians have been full-time members. They manage to create amazing sounds, true to the original studio recordings even though they normally play, as their original set up, with only five members. They have added extra players as required and have often performed with full orchestras. 

“And You and I” appeared on their album Close To The Edge, released in 1972.

For the Symphonic Live version the band comprised:

Jon Anderson – vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion

Jon is a very spiritual man who is described as not having a bad bone in his body. He describes himself as having a normal singing/speaking voice naturally above the tenor range. He is often described as a countertenor. He has perfect pitch and interprets the whole song not only in his voice but in his movements.

Steve Howe – guitars, lap steel guitar, backing vocals

His vast experience shows in the way he moves from one instrument to another. He seems to have an almost symbiotic relationship with them and sometimes talks to them whilst playing.  

Chris Squire – bass guitar, backing vocals, harmonica, percussion

Chris is well known for his melodic and lyrical playing and perfected his harmonica playing on the way to and from school. 

Alan White – drums, backing vocals, keyboards

Alan is surrounded by more equipment than seems possible for one man to play.  He produces the same effect, only better, than other rock groups obtain with three percussionists.

Additional musicians

Tom Brislin – keyboards, backing vocals, percussion – brought in as Rick Wakeman was unable to play due to a clash of bookings.  Any keyboard player performing with “Yes” has to be a master of his art. They are often playing three keyboards at once.  Try that with just two hands!

European Festival Orchestra

Wilhelm Keitel – conductor

Here are some other versions:

The original recording with an initial prompt to all of “OK” – Sound only.

Rainbow Theatre London from 1972. Just 5 of them.  Showing the magnificent hair and typical cape of Rick Wakeman, a truly gifted composer and player.

and on the 1991 Union Tour with a line-up of seven and some great sartorial elegances!

Yes – And You And I

A man conceived a moment’s answer to the dreams
Staying the flowers daily, sensing all the themes
As a foundation left to create the spiral aim
A movement regained and regarded both the same
All complete in the sight of seeds of life with you

Changed only for a sight the sound, the space agreed
Between the picture of time behind the face of need
Coming quickly to terms of all expression laid
Emotions revealed the ocean maid
All complete in the sight of seeds of life with you

Coins and crosses never know their fruitless worth
Cords are broken, locked inside the mother earth
They won’t hide, oh, they won’t tell you
Watching the world, watching all of the world
Watching us go by

And you and I climb over the sea to the valley
And you and I reached out for reasons to call

Coming quickly to terms of all expression laid
Emotions revealed as the ocean maid
As a movement regained and regarded both the same
All complete in the sight of seeds of life with you

Sad preacher nailed upon the coloured door of time
Insane teacher be there reminded of the rhyme
There’ll be no mutant enemy we shall certify
Political ends, as sad remains, will die
Reach out as forward tastes begin to enter you

I listened hard but could not see
Life tempo change out and inside me
The preacher trained in all to lose his name
The teacher travels, asking to be shown the same
In the end we’ll agree, we’ll accept, we’ll immortalize
That the truth of man maturing in his eyes
All complete in the sight of seeds of life with you

Coming quickly to terms of all expression laid
As a moment regained and regarded both the same
Emotion revealed as the ocean maid
A clearer future, morning, evening, nights with you

And you and I climb, crossing the shapes of the morning
And you and I reach over the sun for the river
And you and I climb, clearer towards the movement
And you and I called over valleys of endless seas

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Jon Anderson / Chris Squire / Steve Howe / Bill Bruford

Song Lyric Sunday – 3 October 2021 – I Gotta Feeling

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Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. This week the prompt is to find a song where somebody is having sex, or talking, or hinting about having it. If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.

Now, come on Jim, you ought to know better than this.  You know very well that many of us have high blood pressure and cannot afford to get over excited.  However, I’ll do my best to remain calm.

My very first thought was The Beatles “Why Don’t You Do It In The Road” which Paul McCartney wrote after seeing two monkeys copulating in the street while on retreat in Rishikesh, India, with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. He marvelled in the simplicity of this natural scenario when compared to the emotional turmoil of human relationships. You can listen to that song here.

That is not the song on offer this week.  Instead, I am presenting the Black Eyed Peas singing I Gotta Feeling. It is not a song I’m familiar with, but it seems to fit the prompt.

The video features guest appearances by Katy Perry, David Guetta, Kid Cudi, members of the indie rock band Gossip, the designer duo Dean and Dan Catenof Dsquared and RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni Ongina.

To be perfectly honest, I am unsettled by this video. To my mind it is blatantly sexist and I can’t help but feel that the majority of ladies/girls featured are being exploited for their sexiness, albeit many, if not the majority, will be willing participants in the venture.  I just don’t know.  Perhaps I’m getting old and grumpy!

Anyway, the music is quite good.  I hope you enjoy it.

I Gotta Feeling

Black Eyed Peas

I got a feeling
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night

A feeling
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night

A feeling (woo-hoo)
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night

A feeling (woo-hoo)
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night

Tonight’s the night, let’s live it up
I got my money, let’s spend it up (fee-)
Go out and smash it, like “Oh my God”
Jump out that sofa, let’s kick it, off (fee-)

I know that we’ll have a ball
If we get down and go out, and just lose it all
I feel, stressed out, I wanna let it go
Let’s go way out, spaced out, and losin’ all control

Fill up my cup, mazel tov
Look at her dancin’, just take it, off (fee-)
Let’s paint the town, we’ll shut it down
Let’s burn the roof, and then we’ll do it again

Let’s do it, let’s do it, let’s do it, let’s do it
And do it, and do it, let’s live it up
And do it, and do it, and do it, do it, do it
Let’s do it, let’s do it, let’s do it

‘Cause I gotta feeling (woo-hoo)
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night

A feeling (woo-hoo)
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night

Tonight’s the night (hey), let’s live it up (let’s live it up)
I got my money (I’m paid), let’s spend it up (let’s spend it up)
Go out and smash it (smash it), like “Oh my God” (like “Oh my God!”)
Jump out that sofa (come on), let’s kick it, off (fee-)

Fill up my cup (drink), mazel tov (l’chaim)
Look at her dancing (move it, move it), just take it, off (fee-)
Let’s paint the town (paint the town), we’ll shut it down (shut it down)
Let’s burn the roof (ooh-woo), and then we’ll do it again

Let’s do it, let’s do it, let’s do it, (Let’s do it) let’s do it
And do it (do it), and do it, let’s live it up
And do it (do it), and do it (and do it)
And do it, do it, do it (and do it)
Let’s do it (and do it), let’s do it (and do it)
Let’s do it (hey), do it (hey), do it (hey), do it

Here we come, here we go, we gotta rock
Easy come, easy go, now we on top
Feel the shot, body rock, rock it, don’t stop
Round and round, up and down, around the clock
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (do it)
Friday, Saturday, Saturday to Sunday (do it)
Get, get, get, get, get with us, you know what we say, say
Party every day, p-p-p-party every day

And I’m feeling (woo-hoo)
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night

A feeling (woo-hoo)
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night (woo-hoo)

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Jaime Gomez / David Guetta / Stacy Ferguson / William Adams / Frederic Jean Riesterer / Allan Apll Pineda

I Gotta Feeling lyrics © Emi April Music Inc., Bmg Platinum Songs Us, Bmg Platinum Songs, Bmg Gold Songs, Bmg Sapphire Songs, I Am Composing Llc, What A Publishing Limited, Apl De Ap Publishing Llc, Headphone Junkie Publishing, Tab Magnetic Publishing

Poetry, You, Me, and Wordsworth

I recently posted a spoken word poem which was, itself, a re-run of my Rapid Rhyme #30. This started off by saying that “None of us are Poets” but went on to suggest that we could all have a go and have fun along the way.  We do, after all, primarily blog for ourselves. 

I had some lovely responses, but also a couple of “should I really be trying to write poetry – who do I think I am?” replies.  

Caroline at doesitevenmatter3 thought that the fewer comments received, whenever she posted poetry, was a commentary on her poetry writing. 

Sue, at nansfarm, received a comment of “good try” for her poetry, which she equated with a school report saying “could do better!”

My reply was:

I think that with your comment, and Carolyn’s, we need to encourage you both that “Yes, you can!” (write poetry).

All of art is in the eye, ear, touch, smell, taste, sense of space, or other sensory effect, of the receiver. Not forgetting that the first sensor is you!  If it pleases you, job done!

I think we all tend to be self-deprecating about our output and, in truth, there is a huge spread of talent in varying degrees across WordPress. There are some sites that produce poetry every day, even some that produce multiple poems every single day. How on earth they do it is beyond me.

I have learned to love haiku, and appreciate its subtlety, simplicity, and elegance. I have always liked limericks and have posted several hundred.  I love rapid rhymes that tend to be written to the pace of my walking, and I appreciate more complex forms that I occasionally have a go at.  Some modern rap I find to be really sophisticated and colloquial forms of poetry can be a joy to listen to.

I find myself listening to more spoken word poetry and comparing one narrator with another.  Some recordings are absolutely abysmal in my opinion, but that is only my opinion.  Each of us hears differently, and appreciates differently.  Just because someone has a brilliant acting voice, or book reading voice, does not mean they do justice to poetry. 

Try it out for yourself.  Choose a poem you really like, or a well known classic.  Look up different readings and listen to them.  You may find a perfect example – for you, and that is the whole point – it is a personal preference.

For example, If I choose “Daffodils” which many people are familiar with and listen to a reading by XXX I may love it.  If I listen to YYY reading it, I may loathe it. It is the same poem, with the same brilliant words, and the same lovely images but spoiled for me because I do not hear it the same way! Perhaps I just don’t like the way it is presented.  Maybe it is because the reader doesn’t really believe in what they are doing.  Let’s face it, some people could read a railway timetable and make it irresistibly entertaining.  Stephen Fry springs to mind!

Here, for your enjoyment, are some alternative versions of William Wordsworth’s ‘Daffodils’ 

(Cumbria – England) – BBC – 12th April 2016. This may not play outside UK.

A reading by Ralph Fiennes

And now one that I do not enjoy, read by Jeremy Irons

Here it is set to music by Dave Camlin, recorded and performed by Sing In! and Sing Owt! community choirs in west Cumbria in March 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis.

and, finally The Wordsworth Rap – Cumbria Tourism

Song Lyric Sunday – 11 July 2021 – Butterfly

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Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. This week the prompt is to find a song that includes Bugs or Insects.

If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.

It is 3 weeks since I posted anything, the longest break since I started my blog. Various reasons which I will not list here but, hopefully, I’m back.

This week I’ve chosen a song by The Hollies, a favourite group of mine. The song is Butterfly which appeared on their second studio album (also called Butterfly) released in 1967.

This was their seventh album in England overall and It was also the last new Hollies album to feature Graham Nash until 1983’s What Goes Around. This album, like its predecessors For Certain Because and Evolution, featured songs written solely by Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, and Tony Hicks. The album was a Nash-led project, and he featured as the lead vocalist more than on any prior album.

I do hope you enjoy it.

Butterfly

Hollies

We met on the shore of the Lemonade Lake
Weeping willows looked down where we lay
Orange blossoms I smell in your hair
Butterfly, flutter by, butterfly by

Waterfalls, send your ripples to us
Here on the shore of the Lemonade Lake
Pond lilies play hide and seek with the fish
Rabbit run, run rabbit, rabbit run by

Roaring mountain is standing close by
Covered with snowdrops and glistening with dew
I hear the sound of a small hummingbird
I took your hand and I waltzed off with you

Come to the top of the mountain with me
Jump on a cloud and we’ll float to and fro
Seeing the countryside covered with grass
And the top of the mountain with candy-floss snow

Butterfly lazily drinking the sun
Lavishly sprinkled and painted with gold
Here in the land of the mist and the lake
Me and my true love will never grow old

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: G. Nash

Butterfly lyrics © Gralto Music Ltd.

Rapid rhyme #34

It’s a bit of a bugger being dead

when I think of the things I’ve not said!

I’m not really dead. At least I don’t think I am.

However, take heed. If there is someone you love, and you haven’t told them, do it now.

If there is someone you appreciate, and you haven’t told them, do it now.

If there is someone who helped you, and you haven’t thanked them, do it now.

If you hurt someone’s feelings, and you haven’t said sorry, do it now.

Not tomorrow – NOW

Tomorrow, you, or they, may not be there!

Song Lyric Sunday – June 7, 2020 – Do You Have a Little Time?

Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs.

I’m pretty sure that the name of todays singer is not familiar to most, although regular readers will have seen and heard a song  by Florian Cloud de Bounevialle Armstrong earlier in the year. You can find it here.

If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.

Without further ado let’s get straight to Dido singing “Do You Have a Little Time” off the album Life for Rent, produced in September 2003.

There are three videos to choose from. The first is the original recording with only a picture of the album cover to entertain you:

The second gives you some lovely still photographs along with the song, and a bonus, absolutely free, of Spanish subtitles:

and lastly we have a live performance at The Brixton Academy in 2015. Now, this one is quite different from the original recording, almost like another song entirely. I like it. I hope you do too!

Do You Have a Little Time

Dido

If you’re feeling low and lost today,
Probably doing to much again,
Spend all your hours just rushing around,
Do you have a little time for me.

Slow down my love you’re confusing me,
If you’re feeling stressed just try calling,
Spend your time waiting for anyone to see,
Do you have a little time for me.

If you should stop for a while,
You will find me standing by,
Over here, at the side of your life,
I’d like to hold you still,
Remind you of all you’ve missed,
If you have a little time, if you have a little time that is.

Why do you still run when you could walk with me,
Life will pass you by when you move this quickly,
What can you see when you’re spinning around,
Do you have a little time for me.

If you should stop for a while,
You will find me standing by,
Over here, at the side of your life,
I’d like to hold you still,
Remind you of all you’ve missed,
If you have a little time, if you have a little time that is.

If you let me listen I’ll make you feel clear,
Spend your time waiting for anyone to see.

If you should stop for a while,
You will find me standing by,
Over here, at the side of your life,
I’d like to hold you still,
Remind you of all you’ve missed,
If you have a little time, if you have a little time that is.

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Dido Armstrong / Mark Bates / Rick Nowels

Do You Have a Little Time lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Spirit Music Group

Rapid rhyme #25

Yet again a post by Colleen, on The Chatter Blog,  inspires me to a Rapid rhyme.

 

Gently breathed on broken soul
Gently hugged to make it whole
Gently kissed to show His love
Gently healed by God above

Lundi limerick #80

Wonky Wendy resided in Yatton

and had one skinny leg and a fat’n

With seventeen toes

and more than one nose

she went naked with only a hat on

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yatton

If you expand the panoramic view you may just be able to see Wendy’s fat leg sticking out from behind the church!

 

Song Lyric Sunday – March 22 2020 – Promised Land

Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. This week we’re asked to go with Promise, Vow, or Oath and I’ve chosen to link to the word Promise.

If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.

The song I’ve chosen is Promised Land originally recorded by  Chuck Berry to the melody of “Wabash Cannonball“, an American folk song.

In the lyrics, the singer (who refers to himself as “the poor boy”) tells of his journey from Norfolk, Virginia, to the “Promised Land”, Los Angeles, California, mentioning various cities in Southern states that he passes through on his journey. It has subsequently been performed by numerous other artists, including the Grateful Dead which should please Jim!!!

However, I reckon that the best cover of this song was provided by Johnnie Allan

He was Born in Rayne, Louisiana, and grew up in a musical family. At age six he obtained his first guitar and  by age thirteen he was playing with Walter Mouton and the Scott Playboys, a traditional Cajun music band. About two years later he switched to Lawrence Walker and the Wandering Aces, another traditional Cajun band.

Throughout the 1960s he pursued his music career while developing a distinguished career in education and would often use the school PA system to advertise his latest records!

He combined his love and expertise in music and education as the author of two books on Cajun culture.

Just look at this album cover. What a fantastic head of hair!

I’m including two versions of the song. The original recording and a later supposedly live performance where they were miming!

Now that is accordion playing at its best!

Promised Land

Johnnie Allan

I left my home in Norfolk Virginia
California on my mind
I straddled that Greyhound
And rode into Raleigh
And on across Caroline

We had motor trouble that turn into a struggle
Halfway across Alabam’
And that hound broke down and left us all stranded
In downtown Birmingham

Right away I brought me a through train ticket
Ridin’ across Mississippi clean
And I was on that midnight flyer out of Birmingham
Smoking into New Orleans

Somebody help me get out of Louisiana
Just to help me get to Houston Town
There are people there who care a little about me
And they won’t let the poor boy down

Sure as you’re born brought me a silk suit
Put luggage in my hand
And I woke up high over Alburquerque
On a jet to the promised land

Working on a T-bone steak a la carte
Flying over to the golden state
Ah when the pilot told us in thirteen minutes
He would set us at the terminal gate

Swing low chariot come down easy
Taxi to the terminal zone
Cut your engines and cool your wings
And let me make it to the telephone

Los Angeles give me Norfolk Virginia
Tidewater four ten o nine
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land calling
And the poor boy is on the line

Working on a T-bone steak a la carte
Flying over to the golden state
Ah when the pilot told us in thirteen minutes
He would set us at the terminal gate

Swing low chariot come down easy
Taxi to the terminal zone
Cut your engines and cool your wings
And let me make it to the telephone

Los Angeles give me Norfolk Virginia
Tidewater four ten o nine
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land calling
And the poor boy is on the line

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Andreas Behle / Christian Kundschaft / Mike Rejchel

Promised Land lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group

 

Lundi limerick #77

There was a young lady from York

who thought babies came with the stork

She went out with Sid

who said that they did

but proved otherwise on a walk