NOTEWORTHY LYRICS (13)

In which I highlight the poetry in popular songs -

Lennon and McCartney wrote some hauntingly beautiful song lyrics. Paul penned this himself and John always said it was one of his personal favourites.

The story is of the end of a love affair and is incredibly sad...

"For No One"

Your day breaks, your mind aches

You find that all the words of kindness linger on

When she no longer needs you

She wakes up, she makes up

She takes her time and doesn't feel she has to hurry

She no longer needs you

And in her eyes you see nothing

No sign of love behind the tears

Cried for no one

A love that should have lasted years

You want her, you need her

And yet you don't believe her when she said her love is dead

You think she needs you

And in her eyes you see nothing

No sign of love behind the tears

Cried for no one

A love that should have lasted years

You stay home, she goes out

She says that long ago she knew someone but now he's gone

She doesn't need him

Your day breaks, your mind aches

There will be time when all the things she said will fill your head

You won't forget her

And in her eyes you see nothing

No sign of love behind the tears

Cried for no one

A love that should have lasted years

NOTEWORTHY LYRICS (12)

In which I highlight the poetry in popular song lyrics. 

However, we should remember that within poetry, comic verse also has it's place.

This old song often runs round my mind but I only know the line: 'Aunty Mary had a canary up the leg of her drawers...'.

I've always been curious as to what the poor bird was doing there.

The tune is the same as 'Cock o' the north'. This was penned some 300 years ago as 'Jumping Joan'.

There are several variations including

'Auntie Mary had a canary up the leg of her drawers

While she was sleeping he was peeping

Up the leg of her drawers

Uncle Charlie had some barley

Up the leg of his drawers

If you don' t believe me you can feel me

Up the leg of my drawers' 

and also:

'Aunty Mary had a canary

Up the leg of her drawers,

When she farted it departed

Down the leg of her drawers.'

So I'll probably never know how the wretched bird got there.

NOTEWORTHY LYRICS (11)

In which I highlight the poetry in favourite song lyrics. 

Singer, songwriter and in my opinion - poet, Adele is one of my absolute favourite artists. She wrote this with Dan Wilson and it will surely be a classic for a very long time.

"Someone Like You"

I heard that you're settled down

That you found a girl and you're married now.

I heard that your dreams came true.

Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you.

Old friend, why are you so shy?

Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light.

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited

But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.

I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded

That for me it isn't over.

Never mind, I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you too

Don't forget me, I beg

I remember you said,

"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,

Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead"

You know how the time flies

Only yesterday was the time of our lives

We were born and raised

In a summer haze

Bound by the surprise of our glory days

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited

But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.

I'd hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded

That for me it isn't over.

Never mind, I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you too

Don't forget me, I beg

I remember you said,

"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."

Nothing compares

No worries or cares

Regrets and mistakes

They are memories made.

Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

Never mind, I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you

Don't forget me, I beg

I remember you said,

"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."

Never mind, I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you too

Don't forget me, I beg

I remember you said,

"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,

Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."

NOTEWORTHY LYRICS (10)

In which I extract the poetry from popular song lyrics.

Warning: If you are easily offended by bad language please piss off.

I've already cited 'Passenger', a current favourite of mine, and this is another song which I've just discovered. The lyrics, by Michael David Rosenberg, are full of swearing, full of hate and full of brutal honesty. I love it.

I Hate

I hate racist blokes, telling tasteless jokes

And explaining where people belong

I hate ignorant folks, that pay money to see gigs

And then talk through every fucking song

I hate people in night clubs, snorting coke

And explaining where you're going wrong

And so if you agree, then come hating with me

And feel free to sing along

...

Well I hate pointless status updates on Facebook

FYI we were never "m8"s

We pretend to be friends on the internet

When in real life, we have nothing to say

To each other, oh brother I have love for my mother

For good times, for music and my mates

Yeah I laugh, and I live and I have love to give

But sometimes all you can do is hate

...

Well I hate them fussy eaters, you cook them fajitas

They only eat pizza and chips

I hate stepping outside, for a smoke and some guy

Coughs, like your lungs are his

And I hate queuing up, for festival toilets

Especially when you need a shit

And I hate the X-Factor, for murdering music

You bunch of money-grabbing pricks

...

And I hate them magazines, aimed at insecure teens

That make ten year old's race to grow up

Hey kids, let's all be anorexic or better

Eat chocolate until you throw up

Keep your Hollywood stars, and their stupid cars

And the Bo-tox, that makes them look fucked

Just grow old with grace, have you seen Cher's face

She looks like she's been hit by a truck

NOTEWORTHY LYRICS (9)

In which I extract the poetry from popular songs.

The year was 1960. My parents, both salespeople with IBM had won themselves a trip to New York. It was the trip of their lifetimes and I was pleased for them.

Except that I had to stay with an Aunt and Uncle who I didn't care for and the feeling was mutual. I felt bitterly deserted like a dog left at the kennels, and found myself tearfully walking round the streets singing this lovely melody to myself. 

Written in 1955, the lyrics were by Hy Zaret.

UNCHAINED MELODY

Oh my love my darling 

I've hungered for your touch 

A long lonely time 

And time goes by so slowly 

And time can do so much 

Are you still mine? 

I need your love, 

I need your love, 

God speed your love to me 

Lonely rivers flow to the sea to the sea 

To the open arms of the sea 

Lonely rivers sigh 'wait for me, wait for me 

I'll be coming home wait for me.'

Oh my love my darling 

I've hungered hungered for your touch 

A long lonely time 

And time goes by so slowly 

And time can do so much 

Are you still mine? 

I need your love, 

I need your love, 

God speed your love to me.

NOTEWORTHY LYRICS (8)

I which I extract the poetry from well known songs...

I often find that a song is running in my head and although the tune may be admirable it is the poetry of the words which really impress me.

Some of these stand the test of time. One reason for this is that they capture life experiences which are familiar to us all in a way that bring back memories or perhaps provide support in troubled times.

Paul McCartney wrote this all by himself in 1964 though it was not finished and recorded until the following year. Curiously, its first working title was 'Scrambled eggs' but we know and love it as 'Yesterday'.

Yesterday, 

all my troubles seemed so far away,

now it looks as though they're here to stay,

Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be,

there's a shadow hanging over me.

Oh, yesterday came suddenly.

Why she had to go I don't know, 

she wouldn't say.

I said something wrong, 

now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday, 

love was such an easy game to play

Now I need a place to hide away

Oh, I believe in yesterday

NOTEWORTHY LYRICS (7)

In which I extract the poetry from well-known songs...

I'm delighted to recount the story of Fred Stobaugh. This spritely 96 year-old just lost his wife, Lorraine after 73 years of wedded bliss. He met her in 1938 and they married two years later.

He was so devastated by her loss that he wrote a love song in her memory and this has been adopted by a record company and has made the top ten downloads.

It is a most beautiful love poem and his story can easily reduce you to tears.

'Oh Sweet Lorraine,

I wish we could do the good times 

all over again

Oh sweet Lorraine,

life only goes around once

but never again

Oh sweet Lorraine,

I wish we could do all the good times 

all over again

My memories will always linger on

Oh sweet Lorraine,

the memories will always linger on'

NOTEWORTHY LYRICS (6)

In which I extract the poetry from well-known songs.

Just to prove that I am alive to the current music scene I'd like to share the poignant words of a song by 'Passenger', a British singer/songwriter who wrote what is surely a piece of pure poetry.

Most of us have experienced the end of a love affair at some point in our lives. I used to play songs on repeat as I tortured my soul about the break-up. This song would have done the job admirably. 

Let her go

Well you only need the light when it's burning low

Only miss the sun when it starts to snow

Only know you love her when you let her go.

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low

Only hate the road when you’re missin' home

Only know you love her when you let her go

- and you let her go

Staring at the bottom of your glass

Hoping one day you'll make a dream last

But dreams come slow and they go so fast

You see her when you close your eyes

Maybe one day you'll understand why

Everything you touch surely dies

But you only need the light when it's burning low

Only miss the sun when it starts to snow

Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low

Only hate the road when you're missin' home

Only know you love her when you let her go

Staring at the ceiling in the dark

Same old empty feeling in your heart

'Cause love comes slow and it goes so fast

Well you see her when you fall asleep

But never to touch and never to keep

'Cause you loved her too much

And you dived too deep

Well you only need the light when it's burning low

Only miss the sun when it starts to snow

Only know you love her when you let her go.

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low

Only hate the road when you're missin' home

Only know you love her when you let her go

And you let her go

NOTEWORTHY LYRICS (5)

In which I extract the poetry from well-known songs.

I regularly crew on a large canal boat which gives free day-trips to the deserving.

One day recently while I was thus engaged, I grew fascinated by the sight of the willow trees growing on the bank and the tall grass below them. 

The willow's branches swept against the grass and it was almost as if they were in conversation.

It was but a small leap to a song which was a favourite of my parents and also of my own.

It was first recorded in 1940, the most popular version being by The Inkspots. Lyrics were by Fred Fisher and his daughter Doris.

Whispering Grass

Why do you whisper, green grass?

Why tell the trees what ain't so ?

Whispering grass, the trees don't have to know - no, no

Why tell them all your secrets?

Who kissed there long ago?

Whispering grass, the trees don't need to know.

Don't you tell it to the breeze '
cause she will tell the birds and bees 
and everyone will know 

because you told the blabbering trees

Yes, you told them once before;

It's no secret any more.

Why tell them all the old things?

They're buried under the snow.

Whispering grass, don't tell the trees

'cause the trees don't need to know.

(Image by AdamR c/o FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

NOTEWORTHY LYRICS (4)

In which I extract the poetry hidden in well-known songs.

Some songs just seem to stand the test of time. This old favourite of mine was written in 1911 and the lyrics were by George A. Norton and Maybelle E. Watson. 

How wonderful to have written something so loved that it is still played a century later.

All the best singers have recorded it, such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand to name a few.

Its a song to listen to when you're feeling a bit down because its meant to be lifting but when I listen to my favourite version sung by Ella Fitzgerald, I start blubbing like a baby - a melancholy baby.

Come to me my melancholy baby.

Cuddle up and don't be blue.

All your fears are foolish fancies, maybe,

You know dear that I'm in love with you.

Every cloud must have a silver lining.

Wait until the sun shines through.

Smile, my honey dear

While I kiss away each tear

Or else I shall be melancholy too.

NOTEWORTHY LYRICS (3)

In which I extract the poetry hidden in well-known songs.

I have written elsewhere about my exploits in Sweden during a mainly mis-spent youth. There is one song which always takes me back to those times, though the Beatles got the country wrong and sang about Norway instead of Sweden - Norwegian Wood.

I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me... 

She showed me her room, isn't it good, Norwegian wood? 

She asked me to stay and she told me to sit anywhere, 

So I looked around and I noticed there wasn't a chair. 

I sat on a rug, biding my time, drinking her wine 

We talked until two and then she said, "It's time for bed" 

She told me she worked in the morning and started to laugh. 

I told her I didn't and crawled off to sleep in the bath 

And when I awoke, I was alone, this bird had flown 

So I lit a fire, isn't it good, Norwegian wood.

This was Paul McCartney's explanation of the lyrics (which were mainly written by John Lennon) courtesy of wikipedia.

"Peter Asher (brother of McCartney's then-girlfriend Jane Asher) had his room done out in wood, a lot of people were decorating their places in wood. Norwegian wood. It was pine, really, cheap pine. But it's not as good a title, "Cheap Pine", baby. So it was a little parody really on those kind of girls who when you'd go to their flat there would be a lot of Norwegian wood. 

It was completely imaginary from my point of view but in John's it was based on an affair he had. This wasn't the decor of someone's house, we made that up. So she makes him sleep in the bath and then finally in the last verse I had this idea to set the Norwegian wood on fire as revenge, so we did it very tongue in cheek. She led him on, then said, "You'd better sleep in the bath." In our world the guy had to have some sort of revenge ... so it meant I burned the place down ..."

NOTEWORTHY LYRICS (2)

In which I extract the poetry hidden in some favourite popular music. Can you identify the song?

I recently acquired a new coffee machine which enables me to indulge in my favourite hot drink even more than before. Perhaps it is my love of coffee which led me to like this song.

January 9th 2000. A date which is imprinted on my mind. My mother had been dying in hospital for several weeks but was determined to make it into the new millennium.  Her wish was granted. 

On this day, I was sitting by her bedside as she drifted in and out of sleep because of the strong painkillers which she needed. Once she looked at me, smiled and then whispered 'I love you'.

A little later, a short while before she slipped away,  she started to sing, her eyes remaining closed. This was what she sang:

I love coffee, I love tea 

I love the Java Jive and it loves me 

Coffee and tea and the java and me 

A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup.

Recognise it? It's called 'Java Jive' and was a big hit for The Inkspots in 1940. It has also since been revived by Manhattan Transfer - music by Ben Oakland and the lyrics written by Milton Drake.

NOTEWORTHY LYRICS (1)

In which I extract the poetry hidden in some favourite popular music. Can you identify the song?

1967. I was living in London. I didn't enjoy it much and often wondered how it was possible to feel lonely in such a busy, vibrant city. As I walked the hot, humid streets that  summer, this song seemed to sum it all up for me. 

'Hot town, summer in the city 

Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty 

Been down, isn't it a pity 

Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city

All around, people looking half dead

Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head

But at night it's a different world

Go out and find a girl 

Come-on come-on and dance all night 

Despite the heat it'll be alright

And babe, don't you know it's a pity 

That the days can't be like the nights 

In the summer, in the city 

In the summer, in the city.'

Lyrics by Mark Sebastian (originally written as a poem). Song by The Lovin' Spoonful.

FEEL THE LOVE

I suppose if one thinks of love poetry, then Keats or Shelley come to mind. But they are long gone. Who would you say has taken their place?

Just like the daisy which goes unnoticed as it is trampled on, sometimes beauty is found right under our feet. I give you the words of Don Black:

Tell me on a Sunday

"Don't write a letter when you want to leave

Don't call me at 3 a.m. from a friend's apartment

I'd like to choose how I hear the news.

Take me to a park that's covered with trees

Tell me on a Sunday - please

Let me down easy, n

o big song and dance

No long faces, no long looks

No deep conversation.

I know the way we should spend that day

Take me to a zoo that's got chimpanzees.

Tell me on a

Sunday - please

Don't want to know who's to blame

It won't help knowing.

Don't want to fight day and night

Bad enough you're going.

Don't leave in silence with no word at all

Don't get drunk and slam the door.

That's no way to end this.

I know how I want you to say goodbye

Find a circus ring with a flying trapeze.

Tell me on a Sunday - please

Don't run off in the pouring rain

Don't call me as they call your plane.

Take the hurt out of all the pain.

Take me to a park that's covered with trees.

Tell me on a Sunday - please"

In my humble opinion this is one of the greatest of modern love poems and when you add Lloyd Webber's music it simply transports the senses. Enjoy!

A POEM WHAT I WROTE

One of my pet hates is door-to-door sellers. Usually it's 'I represent Sparky Electricity. Have you checked your power bills lately?' I hate it when they have learning difficulties or are disabled. It makes it almost impossible to say no when they offer their cheap household goods which you wouldn't dream of buying in a shop.

Occasionally, you get the scary ones. The gypsies selling pegs or offering to sharpen knives. Then you worry whether you will be cursed if you don't comply and will spend the rest of your life doomed, never to win the lottery or meet your frog prince.

One pleasant exception though, many years ago, was a young student who was selling her art. She held up a canvas of a forest scene and it was clear that she had a talent. I succumbed and looked through her other paintings. My eyes lit up when I came upon a seascape, because I am a sucker for water in paintings. I bought it of course and it has pride of place on my study wall.

This preamble is only to set the scene for my experience yesterday morning when the muse came tapping at my shoulder like a salesman offering his wares. I'd been reading a piece about Keats ('How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.....') and here was the muse tempting me with the thought of writing a love poem. My natural lethargy tried to fight him off but then the intrigue kicked in. How hard can it be? What a fatal question that is!

So here is my love poem. Treat it gently, for it is entwined with my soul.

The world is the better that you are in it.
No less is my life for your presence at its heart.

My actions are referenced to you my love
and my thoughts are governed by your nearness.

Let it ever be so.