May 5th – West Side Story – “America”

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Chris Bridges — Leave a comment

In 1962, #WestSideStory by #LeonardBernstein entered the US album charts and stayed there at #1 for 54 weeks.  #America is one of the liveliest, “start the day” songs in the show #singing #feelgood

5-5 West Side Story

America

ROSALIA
Puerto Rico,
You lovely island . . .
Island of tropical breezes.
Always the pineapples growing,
Always the coffee blossoms blowing . . .ANITA
Puerto Rico . . .
You ugly island . . .
Island of tropic diseases.
Always the hurricanes blowing,
Always the population growing . . .
And the money owing,
And the babies crying,
And the bullets flying.
I like the island Manhattan.
Smoke on your pipe and put that in!OTHERS
I like to be in America!
O.K. by me in America!
Ev’rything free in America
For a small fee in America!ROSALIA
I like the city of San Juan.

ANITA
I know a boat you can get on.

ROSALIA
Hundreds of flowers in full bloom.

ANITA
Hundreds of people in each room!

ALL
Automobile in America,
Chromium steel in America,
Wire-spoke wheel in America,
Very big deal in America!

ROSALIA
I’ll drive a Buick through San Juan.

ANITA
If there’s a road you can drive on.

ROSALIA
I’ll give my cousins a free ride.

ANITA
How you get all of them inside?

ALL
Immigrant goes to America,
Many hellos in America;
Nobody knows in America
Puerto Rico’s in America!

ROSALIA
I’ll bring a T.V. to San Juan.

ANITA
If there a current to turn on!

ROSALIA
I’ll give them new washing machine.

ANITA
What have they got there to keep clean?

ALL
I like the shores of America!
Comfort is yours in America!
Knobs on the doors in America,
Wall-to-wall floors in America!

ROSALIA
When I will go back to San Juan.

ANITA
When you will shut up and get gone?

ROSALIA
Everyone there will give big cheer!

ANITA
Everyone there will have moved here!

Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
© 1956, 1957 Amberson Holdings LLC and Stephen Sondheim. Copyright renewed.
Leonard Bernstein Music Publishing Company LLC, Publisher

5-5 Bernstein America

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5-5 Bernstein West Side Story

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May 4th – BeeGees – “Night Fever”

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Chris Bridges — Leave a comment

In 1978, ‘Night Fever’ by The #BeeGees was at No.1 on the UK singles chart. It was the group’s third No.1 and the theme from the film #SaturdayNightFever

4-5 Bee Gees

Night Fever

Listen to the ground:
There is movement all around.
There is something goin down
And I can feel it.On the waves of the air,
There is dancin out there.
If it’s somethin we can share,
We can steal it.And that sweet city woman,
She moves through the light,
Controlling my mind and my soul.
When you reach out for me
Yeah, and the feelin is bright,Then I get night fever, night fever.
We know how to do it.
Gimme that night fever, night fever.
We know how to show it.Here I am,
Prayin for this moment to last,
Livin on the music so fine,
Borne on the wind,
Makin it mine.Night fever, night fever.
We know how to do it.
Gimme that night fever, night fever.
We know how to show it.In the heat of our love,
Don’t need no help for us to make it.
Gimme just enough to take us to the mornin’.
I got fire in my mind.
I got higher in my walkin’.
And I’m glowin’ in the dark;
I give you warnin’.

And that sweet city woman,
She moves through the light,
Controlling my mind and my soul.
When you reach out for me
Yeah, and the feelin’ is bright,

Then I get night fever, night fever.
We know how to do it.
Gimme that night fever, night fever.
We know how to show it.

Here I am,
Prayin for this moment to last,
Livin on the music so fine,
Borne on the wind,
Makin it mine.

Night fever, night fever.
We know how to do it.
Gimme that night fever, night fever.
We know how to show it.

5-4 Bee Gees Night Fever

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5-4 Bee Gees Very Best

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May 3rd – Simon and Garfunkel – “Mrs Robinson”

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Chris Bridges — Leave a comment

In 1936, Joe DiMaggio made his major league debut forthe New York Yankees.  Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs Robinson” is not the “boppiest” song in the world, but it’ll stick in your head.

Mrs Robinson

And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
(Hey, hey, hey…hey, hey, hey)We’d like to know a little bit about you for our files
We’d like to help you learn to help yourself
Look around you, all you see are sympathetic eyes
Stroll around the grounds until you feel at homeAnd here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
(Hey, hey, hey…hey, hey, hey)Hide it in a hiding place where no one ever goes
Put it in your pantry with your cupcakes
It’s a little secret, just the Robinsons’ affair
Most of all, you’ve got to hide it from the kids

Coo, coo, ca-choo, Mrs Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
(Hey, hey, hey…hey, hey, hey)

Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon
Going to the candidates debate
Laugh about it, shout about it
When you’ve got to choose
Ev’ry way you look at it, you lose

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio
A nation turns it’s lonely eyes to you (Woo, woo, woo)
What’s that you say, Mrs. Robinson
Joltin’ Joe has left and gone away
(Hey, hey, hey…hey, hey, hey)

5-3 Simon and Garfunkel Mrs Robinson

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5-3 Simon and Garfunkel Mrs Robinson

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May 2nd – Elvis Presley – “Jailhouse Rock”

Posted on May 2, 2015 by Chris Bridges — Leave a comment

1957, Elvis Presley recorded ‘Jailhouse Rock’ as featured in his third motion picture of the same name. ‘Jailhouse Rock’ later became his first song to debut at No.1 in Great Britain.

Jailhouse Rock

The warden threw a party in the county jail.
The prison band was there and they began to wail.
The band was jumpin and the joint began to swing.
You should’ve heard those knocked out jailbirds sing.
Lets rock, everybody, lets rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin to the jailhouse rock.Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone,
Little Joe was blowin on the slide trombone.
The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang,
The whole rhythm section was the purple gang.
Lets rock, everybody, lets rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin to the jailhouse rock.Number forty-seven said to number three:
You’re the cutest jailbird I ever did see.
I sure would be delighted with your company,
Come on and do the jailhouse rock with me.
Lets rock, everybody, lets rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin to the jailhouse rock.The sad sack was a sittin on a block of stone
Way over in the corner weepin all alone.
The warden said, hey, buddy, don’t you be no square.
If you can’t find a partner use a wooden chair.
Lets rock, everybody, lets rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin to the jailhouse rock.Shifty Henry said to bugs, for heavens sake,
No ones lookin, now’s our chance to make a break.
Bugsy turned to shifty and he said, nix nix,
I wanna stick around a while and get my kicks.
Lets rock, everybody, lets rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin to the jailhouse rock.Jailhouse Rock lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

4-2 Elvis Jailhouse Rock

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4-2 Elvis Jailhouse Rock 2

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May 1st – Elton John – “I’m still standing”

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Chris Bridges — Leave a comment

In 1979, Elton John became the first pop star to perform in Israel. Three weeks later he became the first Western solo pop performer to tour Russia.  Over thirty years later he still rocks!

 

I’m still standing

You could never know what it’s like
Your blood like winter freezes just like ice
And there’s a cold lonely light that shines from you
You’ll wind up like the wreck you hide behind that mask you useAnd did you think this fool could never win
Well look at me, I’m coming back again
I got a taste of love in a simple way
And if you need to know while I’m still standing you just fade awayDon’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind

I’m still standing yeah yeah yeah
I’m still standing yeah yeah yeah

Once I never could hope to win
You starting down the road leaving me again
The threats you made were meant to cut me down
And if our love was just a circus you’d be a clown by now

5-1 Elton John - I'm still standing

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5-1 Elton John - I'm still standing

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April 30th – Herman’s Hermits – “I’m into something good”

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Chris Bridges — Leave a comment

In 1965, #Manchester group #HermansHermits began their first US tour.  Join them as they sing their No. 1 hit from the previous year.

30-4 Hermans Hermits

I’m into something good

Woke up this mornin’ feelin’ fine
There’s somethin’ special on my mind
Last night I met a new girl in the neighbourhood, whoa yeah
Somethin’ tells me I’m into something good
(Somethin’ tells me I’m into somethin’)

She’s the kind of girl who’s not too shy
And I can tell I’m her kind of guy
She danced close to me like I hoped she would
(she danced with me like I hoped she would)
Somethin’ tells me I’m into something good
(Somethin’ tells me I’m into somethin’)

We only danced for a minute or two
But then she stuck close to me the whole night through
Can I be fallin’ in love
She’s everything I’ve been dreamin’ of
She’s everything I’ve been dreamin’ of

I walked her home and she held my hand
I knew it couldn’t be just a one-night stand
So I asked to see her next week and she told me I could
(I asked to see her and she told me I could)
Somethin’ tells me I’m into something good
(somethin’ tells me I’m into somethin’)
Somethin’ tells me I’m into something good
(somethin’ tells me I’m into somethin’)
To something good, oh yeah, something good
(somethin’ tells me I’m into somethin’)
To something good, something good, something good

30-4 Hermans Hermits - Into something good

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30-4 Hermans Hermits - Into something good

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April 29th – Duke Ellington – “It don’t mean a thing”

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Chris Bridges — Leave a comment

In 1899, #DukeEllington was born.  Celebrate his #birthday by singing “It don’t mean a thing (if it ain’t got that swing)”

29-4 Duke Ellington band

It don’t mean a thing (if it ain’t got that swing)

It don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing
(doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah)
It don’t mean a thing all you got to do is sing
(doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah)
It makes no difference
If it’s sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm
Everything you’ve got
It don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing
(doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah)
It don’t mean a thing all you got to do is sing
(doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah)
It makes no difference
If it’s sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm
Everything you’ve got
It don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing
(doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah)

It makes no difference
If it’s sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm
Everything you’ve got
It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing
It don’t mean a thing all you got to do is sing
(doo-ah)
It makes no difference
If it’s sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm
Everything you’ve got
Don’t mean a thing all you’ve gotta do is swing
It don’t mean a thing all you’ve gotta do is sing
It makes no difference
If it’s sweet or hot
Give that rhythm
Everything you’ve got
It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing
(doo-ah, dooooo-aaaaah)
Don’t mean a thing

29-4 Ella F - It don't mean a thing

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29-4 Ella F - It don't mean a thing

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April 28th – Mutiny on the Bounty – “I am sailing”

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Chris Bridges — Leave a comment

In 1789,  the #MutinyOnTheBounty took place.  We remember that day with #RodStewart’s 1972 classic, “I am sailing”  #singing #feelgood

28-4 Sailing

I am Sailing

I am sailing, I am sailing,
Home again cross the sea.
I am sailing, stormy waters,
To be near you, to be free.

I am flying, I am flying,
Like a bird cross the sky.
I am flying, passing high clouds,
To be with you, to be free.

Can you hear me, can you hear me
Thro the dark night, far away,
I am dying, forever trying,
To be with you, who can say.

Can you hear me, can you hear me,
Thro the dark night far away.
I am dying, forever trying,
To be with you, who can say.

We are sailing, we are sailing,
Home again cross the sea.
We are sailing stormy waters,
To be near you, to be free.

Oh lord, to be near you, to be free.
Oh lord, to be near you, to be free,
Oh lord.

4-28 Rod Stewart - Sailing

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4-28(2) Rod Stewart - Album

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April 27th – Sandy Shaw – “Puppet on a String”

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Chris Bridges — Leave a comment

In 1967, #SandieShaw was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Puppet On A String’, her third UK No.1 and the #Eurovision Song Contest winner that year.

27-4 Puppet on a String

Puppet on a String

I wonder if one day that, you’ll say that, you care
If you say you love me madly, I’ll gladly, be there
Like a puppet on a stringLove is just like a merry-go-round
With all the fun of a fair
One day I’m feeling down on the ground
Then I’m up in the air
Are you leading me on?
Tomorrow will you be gone?I wonder if one day that, you’ll say that, you care
If you say you love me madly, I’ll gladly, be there
Like a puppet on a stringI may win on the roundabout
Then I’ll lose on the swings
In or out, there is never a doubt
Just who’s pulling the strings
I’m all tied up in you
But where’s it leading me to?I wonder if one day that, you’ll say that, you care
If you say you love me madly, I’ll gladly, be there
Like a puppet on a stringI wonder if one day that, you’ll say that, you care
If you say you love me madly, I’ll gladly, be there
Like a puppet on a stringLike a puppet on a….. string

 

27-4 Sandie Shaw - Puppet on a String

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April 26th – Dusty Springfield – “You don’t have to say you love me”

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Chris Bridges — Leave a comment

In 1966, #DustySpringfield achieved her only No.1 in the UK charts, “You don’t have to say you love me”. #feelgood

26-4 Dusty Springfield

You don’t have to say you love me

When I said I needed you
You said you would always stay
It wasn’t me who changed but you
And now you’ve gone away

Don’t you see
That now you’ve gone
And I’m left here on my own
That I have to follow you
And beg you to come home?

You don’t have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don’t have to stay forever
I will understand
Believe me, believe me
I can’t help but love you
But believe me
I’ll never tie you down

Left alone with just a memory
Life seems dead and so unreal
All that’s left is loneliness
There’s nothing left to feel

You don’t have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don’t have to stay forever
I will understand
Believe me, believe me

You don’t have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don’t have to stay forever
I will understand
Believe me, believe me, believe me

Dusty S - You don't have to say

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