Live in Joy

Peace to you all this beautiful day.

Today, I have selected a song by a  man whom I consider to be one of the all time greatest performers of my generation, Cat Stevens.  I know, I know, I have chosen something by him already and there are SO MANY other great performers out there.  All that is very true.  But, this morning, this song called out to me - 'Pick me, pick me'!  How could I say no?

Stevens developed a relationship with actress Patti D'Arbanville and the two were a pair throughout a period of two years or so. She left for periods of time to pursue her modeling career in Paris and New York.  During that time, he wrote several songs about her, including this song. The song has struck many critics as being protective and caring; the artist's expression of love includes words like "I wouldn't want to see you sad girl, don't be a bad girl".

The song is in the form of the singer's words to his departing lover, inspired by the end of their romance. Stevens later recalled to Mojo: "It was one of those chord sequences that's very common in Spanish music. I turned it around and came up with that theme--which is a recurring theme in my work--which is to do with leaving, the sadness of leaving, and the anticipation of what lies beyond." 

Oh, and here's a little trivia. In 1982,  Patti D'Arbanville had a relationship with Don Johnson of Miami Vice fame and had a child together.  Who knew?

The song was written, recorded and released in 1970.   Ok, figured it out yet?    

It is none other than 'Wild World'.   Now I KNOW you all remember these lyrics.  So, you know what to do! ♬♬♬♬ 

What great memories this brings back.

Enjoy.

Kimmie

In a Gentle Way You Can Shake the World

Hi, all. On this Memorial Day weekend, I just want to say 'Thank you' to all the veterans who have served this great country.  I want to keep this blog non-political.  This is a place for remembering great music, but I have the ability to do this and many more things all because of those who sacrificed so much for us.

So, on that note (get it??), today's song is again by The Byrds, one of my favorite groups from the 60's and 70's.    The lyrics are taken almost verbatim from the Book of Ecclesiastes (late 3rd century BC), as found in the King James Version (1611) of the Bible^[2] (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), though the sequence of the words was re arranged for the song. Ecclesiastes is traditionally ascribed to King Solomon. (get all that??) The song is commonly performed as a plea for world peace, with an emphasis on the closing line: "a time for peace, I swear it's not too late." The song's plea for peace and tolerance struck a nerve with the American record buying public as the Vietnam War continued to escalate.

The final version of the song was recorded in 1965, after 78 takes over 5 days and reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Know what it is??  If you said, 'Turn, Turn, Turn", you are correct!

Hope you enjoy it!

Here's the groovy album cover:

    

Namaste, my friends.

Kimmie

Inspiration is Everywhere; Everywhere is Inspiration

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOB DYLAN!

Ok, I'm a day late.  Mr. Dylan celebrated his 75th birthday yesterday.  So it seemed that today's post should be a tribute.  I have selected his best-selling recording - 'Like a Rolling Stone'.  Personally, there are a few others that I like better, but the numbers are what the numbers, right?

'Like a Rolling Stone' was written and recorded by Dylan 1965. Radio stations were reluctant to play it because of its 6:13 minutes length but it did make it to number 2 in the charts and became a world wide hit..

These are Dylan's comments regarding the song:

"Last spring, I guess I was going to quit singing. I was very drained, and the way things were going, it was a very draggy situation ... But 'Like a Rolling Stone' changed it all. I mean it was something that I myself could dig. It's very tiring having other people tell you how much they dig you if you yourself don't dig you."

        

Reading the refrain below, I think I may have to change my mind about liking a few other of his songs better.  (Women are allowed to change their minds, right?)

How does it feel

How does it feel

To be on your own

With no direction home

Like a complete unknown

Like a rolling stone

Hope you enjoy!

Namaste.

Kimmie

An Eye for An Eye WIll Only Make the Whole World Blind

Today I have chosen a song recorded in 1968 by Dusty Springfield.  The great Aretha Franklin turned it down (WHAT??) when it was offered to her first.  After hearing Dusty Springfield's version, she decided in 1969 that it may be a good fit for her. (Ya think??)

Son of a Preacher Man was included in the Pulp Fiction soundtrack.  Quentin Tarantino had said that he would not have filmed the scene with this featured song had he not been given permission to use it.

There have been numerous recordings of it, but none as good as Dusty Springfield's.  So, here you go.  You know what to do!

                            

 

Peace and all good things.

Kimmie

Let Your Smile Change the World, Not the World Change Your Smile

Hello, fellow lovers of great music.

Today I have chosen 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay' by Otis Redding.

Who hasn't been to San Francisco and immediately thought of this song?

A little history of how this song came to be written:

Otis was one of those the kind of guy who had 100 ideas.  He had been in San Francisco and  was renting boathouse and that's where he got the idea of the ships coming in the bay there. And that's about all he had: "I watch the ships come in and I watch them roll away again." The rest of the song was about Otis' life: "I left my home in Georgia, headed for the Frisco Bay" was all about him going out to San Francisco to perform. The song features a whistled tune heard before the song's fade. It was originally performed by Redding who had this little fadeout rap he was gonna do, an ad-lib. He forgot what it was so he started whistling.

 Dock on the Bay was released in 1968 and topped the charts at No. 4 for 1968.

Enjoy, my friends.

                             

                     

May Every Sunrise Hold More Promise and Every Sunset Hold More Peace

Today's selection is probably remembered by everyone who was alive in the 60's and 70's.

It was featured in Forrest Gump and also Midnight Cowboy.  The singer won a Grammy in 1969 and sold over a million copies.

"What song is it,"  you anxiously ask.  Why, it's none other than Everybody's Talkin' by Harry Nilsson.  Now tell me, WHO doesn't remember this?

 "Everybody's Talkin'" depicts the introverted Nilsson's inability to connect with others. Not hearing or truly seeing them, he declares an intention to leave for the ocean and the summer breeze.

So, here it is.  Enjoy!

      

Check back often for some more groovin' tunes.

Peace and ALL good things.

Kimmie

Those Who Are Free of Resentful Thoughts Surely Find Peace

One of the best movies with the best soundtrack, in my opinion, is The Graduate. The Graduate was released in 1967 starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft.  Hey, here's a little known fact.  Did you know that the beautiful leg in the promos for The Graduate was NOT Anne Bancroft, but LINDA GRAY from Dallas fame.  Who knew?  Now you do!

Remember the iconic line:
"Mrs. Robinson, You're tying to seduce me, aren't you?"  CLASSIC!

Today's song is 'The Sound of Silence'.  Soft, thoughtful.....

Simon and Garfunkle had several songs highlighted in this movie.  We'll check out the others down the road.

Hope this brings back lots of great memories.  It sure does for me.

                              


                             

Isn't this great music!

Peace and all good things, friend.

Kimmie

Expect Nothing, Appreciate EVERYTHING

Today's song was written in 1967 by John Phillips of The Mama's and The Papa's fame.  Phillips reportedly wrote it in about 20 minutes.  (He must have been greatly inspired!)  This song was also called the 'unofficial anthem for the counterculture movement of the 1960's.'

It was an immediate success and was responsible for bringing thousands of young people to San Francisco.  It was also part of the soundtrack from Forrest Gump.

So, did you guess today's song?  One of THE best songs of the 60's.  I know, I know.  I write that about all the songs.  It's like trying to say which child you love the most!

San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)

Enjoy, my friends. 

Peace and all good things.

Kimmie               

                                                 

Put Your Ear Down Close to Your Soul and Listen Closely

Today's post is from a suggestion from one of you and THANK YOU.  I love feedback and suggestions so keep it coming, friends.

This song was actually written in 1949.  The version that we all are most familiar with is the one recorded in 1962 by Peter, Paul, and Mary and was kind of an anthem for the civil rights movement.

Yep.  You guessed it!  Today's choice is If I Had a Hammer.  I think Mary Travers' strong voice is really showcased in this song.

Enjoy, folks.

Peace and all good things.

I Want To Feel Free As The Flowers

Here's another video that made its chart debut in 1966.  I remember it like it was yesterday and don't know anyone who doesn't know the lyrics.  ICONIC!  What am I writing about?

Why it's none other than the Mamas and the Papas 'California Dreamin'.  Other artists have performed this song but none can top the Mama and the Papas.  Next time you watch Forrest Gump, listen for it. 

Around the 1:28 mark, you'll see some really groovin' threads.  Lol.

Enjoy, my friends.  

Wasn't it Beautiful When You Believed in Everything?

The song in today's blog is one of my all time favorites, maybe because I thought Cat Steven's was the most handsome man I had ever seen.  LOL.   Ah, to be able to go back to the time when I was 16, listening to Peace Train......

This was Cat Steven's first No. 1 hit,  released in 1971 but was not released outside the US.

Hope you enjoy it as  much as I do.  

            

If you're not barefoot, then you're overdressed.....

Do y'all remember Mr. Tambourine Man by the Byrds?  I used to play this one over and over again. 

The song was written by Bob Dylan, who did perform it, but then The Byrds did this version that I think we all know better.  At least I do!  They performed this on The Ed Sullivan Show on December 12, 1965.




This is another song  that I KNOW you know the words to.  You know what to do.  Turn it up and SING!

The Byrds

Mr. Tambourine Man