Story Songs: A Few More Friendly Tunes

I have several more songs to add to the songs about friendship. They would have been included in the earlier post but I try to keep my musings at a reasonable length. 

Now these songs all have "friend" or "friends" in the title. There are many other recordings out there about friends but that will be a post at another time. 

So here are a few more that I've enjoyed through the years:

Dionne Warwick and Friends -- "That's What Friends Are For"
No. 5 in 1985
Written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager

"Keep smiling, keep shining

Knowing you can always count on me, for sure

That's what friends are for

For good times and bad times

I'll be at your side forever more"

Garth Brooks -- "Friends in Low Places"
No. 1 in 1990
Written by Dewayne Blackwell and Earl Bud Lee

"I've got friends in low places

Where the whiskey drowns

And the beer chases my blues away

And I'll be okay"

Wishbone Ash -- "Everybody Needs a Friend"
Released in 1973 on "Wishbone Four" album
Written by Martin Turner

"Trust in me, I'll try to do

Everything to help you that I can

Broken wings can heal and mend again"

Randy Newman and Lyle Lovett -- "You've Got a Friend in Me"
Released in 1995 in "Toy Story" soundtrack
Written by Randy Newman

"If you've got troubles, I've got 'em too

There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you

We stick together and can see it through

Cause you've got a friend in me"

And last, but certainly not least:

The Beatles -- "With A Little Help From My Friends"
Released in 1967 on "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

"Oh I get by with a little help from my friends

I get high with a little help from my friends

Going to try with a little help from my friends"

Until the next time....

Some Sweet Songs for Valentine's Day

What I enjoy about love songs for Valentine's Day is that they can last a lifetime. A box of candy may be gone in a few hours. Flowers wilt. Diamonds  may last forever, but who needs something that will be around longer than mere mortals (don't answer that, ladies!)? 

So here are a few songs I've enjoyed through the years that I believe are sweet, tender and touch the heart -- for a lifetime. 


Canadian Anne Murray sang about everlasting love in her "Could I Have This Dance," written by Wayland Holyfield and Bob House. The crossover hit reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart and No. 33 on the Hot 100 in 1980. It also garnered a Grammy Award and was used in the movie, "Urban Cowboy."

"I'll always remember the song they were playin'

The first time we danced and I knew

As we swayed to the music and held to each other

I fell in love with you"

One of the greatest love songs in the rock era was written by Tony Asher and Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys -- "God Only Knows,"  released on the group's masterpiece "Pet Sounds" album in 1966.

"I may not always love you

But as long as there are stars about you

You never need to doubt it

I'll make you so sure about it"

The Beatles' George Harrison also penned a beautiful love ballad in "Something," from the Abbey Road album in 1969. It was a No. 1 hit for the quiet Beatle.

"Something in the way she moves

Attracts me like no other lover

Something in the way she woos me

I don't want to leave her now

You know I believe and how"

And how can you put together a list of love songs and not include Elvis Presley. My choice is "Can't Help Falling in Love," a chart topper for the King in 1961, from his "Blue Hawaii" album.  The song was written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss. 

"Take my hand, take my whole life too

For I can't help falling in love with you"

And finally, "Unchained Melody," a No. 4 song by Bobby Hatfield of The Righteous Brothers in 1965. The tune was written by Alex North and Hy Zaret. The emotionally charged tune was used in the blockbuster movie, "Ghost."

"Oh, my love, my darling

I've hungered, for your touch"

Those are a few of the many songs that touched my heart and soul. What are your favorite love songs?

Until the next time...

Story Songs: Rock in the Christmas Season

Christmas has been the air for quite some time (since August?) so here's some holiday music by rock artists to deck your halls and jingle your bells. 

The first ones I ever recall were back in the 1950s (yes, Virginia, I am that old),  Bobby Helms' "Jingle Bell Rock" in 1957 and Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" in 1958. Those songs seem to open the door for other rockers to sing Christmas cheer. They've also became holiday music staples.

The great Elvis Presley recorded a classic in 1957 with "Blue Christmas," which was released again in 1964 to even more acclaim. 

In the 1960s, The Beach Boys released a Christmas album which included the bouncy "Little Saint Nick." The Ronettes got into the holiday fun with the Phil Spector-produced "Frosty the Snowman." 

From across the big pond, The Beatles found time to record "Christmas Time Is Here Again" and The Kinks sang "Father Christmas."

The Boss recorded a rockin' version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" in the 1975 and again in 1985.

The Carpenters recorded memorable holiday song with "Merry Christmas, Darling" in 1970, an annual reminder of the beauty of Karen's voice.

Paul McCartney and Wings produced a delightful tune with "Wonderful Christmastime" in 1979 that is guaranteed to lift your spirits.

I'll close out this post with two Christmas songs that focus on peace on earth. The first is The Moody Blues' "Yes I Believe."

And my favorite Christmas-inspired rock tune is John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)." 

What are your favorite Christmas rockers?

Happy holidays everyone!

Until the next time...

Love Songs

Since it's Valentine's Day I thought it would be nice to share some of my favorite love songs.

While some folks prefer love ballads, you'll see that I enjoy all kinds including ballads, country, rock, and pop. It's the words and melody that move me. I like some that are sweet, some that are sappy, and some that are thoughtful. As the Beatles sang, "All you need is love"

I've included a few lines from the songs (composers in parenthesis) as well as the video.
So here goes:

"Love Is All Around" (Reg Presley)

"You know, I love you, I always will
My mind's made up
By the way that I feel
There's no beginning
There'll be no end
'Cause on my love you can depend"

***

"Softly Whispering I Love You" (Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook)

"And I know your soft  kiss turning into music

Every beat of my heart
When I hold you close to my heart
And I hear your voice whispering I love you"

***

"At Last" (Mack Gordon and Harry Warren)

"At last my love has come along

My lonely days are over
And life is like a song"

***

"When You Say Nothing At All" (Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz)

"The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all"

***

"Can't Help Falling in Love" ( Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss)

"Take my hand, take my whole life too

For I can't help falling in love with you"

***

"Asking Us to Dance" (Hugh Prestwood)

"Darling tonight I am reminded how much these two hearts need romance
You know it isn't all that often we get this kind of chance
Why don't we get caught in this moment be victims of sweet circumstance
Tonight I feel like all creation is asking us to dance"

***

"Moondance"  (Van Morrison)

"Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance

With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
'Neath the cover of October skies"

***

"Something" (George Harrison)

"Somewhere in her smile she knows
That I don't need no other lover
Something in her style that shows me
I don't want to leave her now"

***

"Wonderful Tonight" (Eric Clapton)

"I feel wonderful
Because I see the love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize how much I love you"

OK, I know that's a lot of stuff. There are more songs I could have included so perhaps I'll save them for next Valentine's Day.

What is your favorite? Feel free to share a video and/or lyrics in the comments section.

Until the next time...

Story Songs: When I'm Sixty-Four

I was 18 in the summer of 1967 when The Beatles released their masterpiece album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

One of the tracks was the Paul McCartney-penned "When I'm Sixty-Four." For me, 64 seemed distant and so old! I arrived at that number several months ago and I suppose that makes me old now. 

The song is about a young man asking his sweetheart if they'll still be together in their twilight years:

"When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now,
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?

"If I'd been out til quarter to three
Would you lock the door?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four?"

The narrator goes on to tell what a wonderful life they'll have if they stay together into old age, such as doing things around the house, renting a vacation cottage, and eventually having grandchildren "Vera, Chuck and Dave."

And he awaits her answer:

"Send me a postcard, drop me a line
Stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, Wasting Away.

"Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?"

This is really a feel-good song, full of optimism and love. When I hear this tune it reminds me how versatile the group was and how they weren't afraid to take chances with their lyrics and melodies.

Sadly, only surviving members McCartney (70) and Ringo Starr (72) reached 64. John  Lennon (40) was murdered in 1980 and George Harrison (58) died from cancer in 2001. (As for the image at the right, I remember when it was published. If anyone can provide artist/publication, I will give a credit line).

For me, during those years since the song was released, I've been losing my hair and I've got two grandchildren (Lily and Lola). I have rented cottages a few times and I've fixed (and damaged) a few things around the house. And my spouse still feeds me so I guess she still needs me now that I'm 64.


"When I'm Sixty-Four" lyrics