What Are You Listening to Right Now? - Page 172

Solitaire1 · 12-06-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Was Alone Again (Naturally) in the book? That Gilbert O'Sullivan ballad has to be one of the saddest songs I've ever heard.

Yes. It's in the section of the book titled "I Had No Idea That Song Was So Morbid."

WT Sharpe · 12-07-2009, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitaire1

Yes. It's in the section of the book titled "I Had No Idea That Song Was So Morbid."

A most fitting place for it.

Sparrow · 12-07-2009, 06:42 AM

Listening to the COP15 webcast.

The windbaggery has already started. Why don't speakers cut the waffle?

Solitaire1 · 12-08-2009, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitaire1

Fortunately, being a toon duck makes Daffy Duck basically indestructible. No matter how much damage he takes, he always comes back for more.

Of course, for sad songs we must return to one of the masters: Barry Manilow! Barry got a nod for the song "Mandy" in the book "I Hate Myself And Want To Die: The 52 Most Depressing Songs You've Ever Heard" by Tom Reynolds (a very funny book).

That brings this to mind: What if Barry Manilow performed the song "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" with Celine Dion?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Was Alone Again (Naturally) in the book? That Gilbert O'Sullivan ballad has to be one of the saddest songs I've ever heard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitaire1

Yes. It's in the section of the book titled "I Had No Idea That Song Was So Morbid."

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

A most fitting place for it.

Yes, the section's title is very appropriate for this song. It is one of my favorite songs, with a slightly upbeat mood as far as the music goes. However, it's only when you listen to the lyrics that you find the song is extremely sad. Consider that the song starts off with the singer deciding to throw himself off of a tower, and that may be the happiest part of the entire song.

Despite the book's title, it is one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. The book's author does a great job of covering each song, giving an overview of song's artist and the song's historical context, describing the song itself, and then why it's depressing.

Other songs in the book include:

- "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro (the author had to prepare himself by getting loaded up on scotch and then listening to many cover versions of this song before facing Goldboro's version)

- "Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks (this version of the song features a happier ending that the original English version). Compare these three versions:

Stitchawl · 12-09-2009, 06:55 PM

Celtic Woman "Little Drummer Boy" I mean... it's the season, right?

(A bit of trivia... What was the little drummer boy's name?)
((I think you might have to be over 50 to know this one.))

Stitchawl

Verencat · 12-09-2009, 08:02 PM

'tis the season to feel warm!
Listening to Buena Vista Social Club while walking in a snow storm - priceless!

WT Sharpe · 12-09-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitaire1

... "Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks ... Compare these three versions ...

The TJ original is clearly superior. The others lack heart, especially the first. I want to ask that group, "Where's the fire?" They sound as if they're in a hurry to get the song over with.

Sweetpea · 12-10-2009, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

The TJ original is clearly superior. The others lack heart, especially the first. I want to ask that group, "Where's the fire?" They sound as if they're in a hurry to get the song over with.

I completely agree! I find that first the worst, actually...

It's a "delicate" song. The TJ one flows, and really shows the emotion.

(and it's a song that does give me goosebumbs...)

Stella · 12-10-2009, 05:49 AM

Moejoe · 12-10-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verencat

'tis the season to feel warm!
Listening to Buena Vista Social Club while walking in a snow storm - priceless!

Beyond marvellous. If I could dance I would get up and dance to this (sod it, I will anyway!)

Moejoe · 12-10-2009, 03:55 PM

Pete Seeger - Guantanamera

Got to be the greatest and most sincere musician to have ever lived

Solitaire1 · 12-10-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

The TJ original is clearly superior. The others lack heart, especially the first. I want to ask that group, "Where's the fire?" They sound as if they're in a hurry to get the song over with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I completely agree! I find that first the worst, actually...

It's a "delicate" song. The TJ one flows, and really shows the emotion.

(and it's a song that does give me goosebumbs...)

I agree with this assessment of the Kingston Trio version of the song. Considering the subject of the song, they played it far too fast and the speed works against the mood of the song. I also have the Rod McKuen version of the song (he translated the original French lyrics into English) and his version is very slow, almost tentative.

When I first heard the song I was uncomfortable with it. As the years have passed, this song has become one of my favorites. Jacks' arrangement of the song works well and his change to the closing lyrics lightens the song a bit.

montsnmags · 12-10-2009, 11:20 PM

"Friday night and the lights are low..."

montsnmags · 12-10-2009, 11:24 PM

"See that girl, watch that scene..."

Verencat · 12-10-2009, 11:27 PM

Marc, you're on a scary roll. Really scary.

Almost as scary as this:

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12-07-2009, 06:42 AM	#2568
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	Listening to the COP15 webcast. The windbaggery has already started. Why don't speakers cut the waffle?

12-09-2009, 06:55 PM	#2570
Stitchawl Opsimath Posts: 12,344 Karma: 187123287 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand Device: Sony PRS-650, iPhone 5, Kobo Glo, Sony PRS-350, iPad, Samsung Galaxy	Celtic Woman "Little Drummer Boy" I mean... it's the season, right? (A bit of trivia... What was the little drummer boy's name?) ((I think you might have to be over 50 to know this one.)) Stitchawl

12-09-2009, 08:02 PM	#2571
Verencat Wizard Posts: 2,615 Karma: 96491 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal, Qc Device: xxx	'tis the season to feel warm! Listening to Buena Vista Social Club while walking in a snow storm - priceless!

12-10-2009, 05:49 AM	#2574
Stella I'm the last letter Posts: 22 Karma: 169 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none (yet)

12-10-2009, 03:55 PM	#2576
Moejoe Banned Posts: 5,100 Karma: 72193 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South of the Border Device: Coffin	Pete Seeger - Guantanamera Got to be the greatest and most sincere musician to have ever lived

12-10-2009, 11:20 PM	#2578
montsnmags Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,155 Karma: 4632658 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: none	"Friday night and the lights are low..."

12-10-2009, 11:24 PM	#2579
montsnmags Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,155 Karma: 4632658 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: none	"See that girl, watch that scene..."

12-10-2009, 11:27 PM	#2580
Verencat Wizard Posts: 2,615 Karma: 96491 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal, Qc Device: xxx	Marc, you're on a scary roll. Really scary. Almost as scary as this: