Music

Retro Music 65

~ beetleypete ~ 25 Comments

Most of you will have heard of Nina Simone. Singing Gospel, Jazz, Blues, or Pop, she covered every genre in her long career. One of the first of her records I remember hearing was ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’. I was around 8 years old when the jazzy song was released in Britain, and my dad had a copy that we used to sing along to.

It was many years later that I discovered that this was a cover version of a song from the musical ‘Whoopee’, from 1930. I found the Jack Payne version from that year, and realised that Nina had adapted it very well to her style. However, I still had a soft spot for the original.

Here is the 1930 version

And this is Nina’s version, originally released in 1959.

My baby don’t care for shows
My baby don’t care for clothes
My baby just cares for me
My baby don’t care for cars and races
My baby don’t care for high-tone places
Liz Taylor is not his style
And even Lana Turner’s smile
Is somethin’ he can’t see
My baby don’t care who knows
My baby just cares for me
Baby, my baby don’t care for shows
And he don’t even care for clothes
He cares for me
My baby don’t care for cars and races
Baby don’t care for
He don’t care for high-tone places
Liz Taylor is not his style
And even Liberace’s smile
Is something he can’t see
Is something he can’t see
I wonder what’s wrong with baby
My baby just cares for
My baby just cares for
My baby just cares for me
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Gus Kahn / Walter Donaldson

Retro Music 64

~ beetleypete ~ 48 Comments

When I was young, I heard a French song called ‘La Mer’, by Charles Trenet. I knew that meant ‘The Sea’, and I enjoyed the music.

Not long after, when I was only eight years old, I heard an English language cover version, by Bobby Darin. The title had changed to’Beyond The Sea’, and it was ever so slightly ‘Jazzed-up’. Just enough to make me love the remake, which my dad played on our record player.

To this day, it is still one of my favourite songs. It is far from being a classic, but it means a lot to me.

If you have never heard it, here is the Charles Trenet original. Just as good.

Somewhere beyond the sea
Somewhere waiting for me
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailin’
Somewhere beyond the sea
She’s there watching for me
If I could fly like birds on high
Then straight to her arms
I’d go sailing
It’s far beyond the stars
It’s near beyond the moon
I know beyond a doubt
My heart will lead me there soon
We’ll meet beyond the shore
We’ll kiss just as before
Happy we’ll be beyond the sea
And never again I’ll go sailing
I know beyond a doubt, ah
My heart will lead me there soon
We’ll meet (I know we’ll meet) beyond the shore
We’ll kiss just as before
Happy we’ll be beyond the sea
And never again I’ll go sailing
No more sailing
So long sailing
Bye bye sailing
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Albert Lasry / Charles Trenet / Jack Lawrence
Beyond the Sea lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Raoul Breton Editions, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Videos

Retro Music 63

~ beetleypete ~ 39 Comments

Back to 1934. Seriously retro, and what for me was the golden age of Jazz. This version of a well-known song is from the Roy Fox Band, accompanied by some energetic tap-dancing ladies. Vocals are kept to a minumum, probably because the English accents don’t sound that good on a very American song.

Okay, here is a more familiar version from Duke Ellington (he wrote the song) and Ella Fitzgerald, shown on TV in 1965.

Call me partisan, but I prefer the tap-dancing version.

What good is melody, what good is music
If it ain’t possessin’ something sweet?
Nah, it ain’t the melody and it ain’t the music
There’s something else that makes this tune complete
Yes, it don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing
Well, it don’t mean a thing, all you got to do is sing
It makes no difference if it’s sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm everything you got
Yes, it don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing
It don’t mean a thing, don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing, boy
I said, it don’t mean a thing, and all you gotta do is sing like
Nah, it makes no difference if it’s sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm everything you got
Don’t mean a thing, boy, if it ain’t that a swing
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) lyrics © Sony/atv Harmony, Emi Mills Music Inc., Gotham Music Service Inc.

Retro Music 62

~ beetleypete ~ 32 Comments

I am going all the way back to 1946 with this choice, which was a hit six years before I was born. But when I was a child, it was still played by my parents, and was also popular at family parties for dancing. It has many fond memories for me.

Louis Thomas Jordan (July 8, 1908 – February 4, 1975) was an American saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and bandleader who was popular from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. Known as “the King of the Jukebox”, he earned his highest profile towards the end of the swing era. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an “early influence” in 1987.

Jordan ranks fifth in the list of the most successful African-American recording artists according to Joel Whitburn’s analysis of Billboard magazine’s R&B chart, and was the most popular rhythm and blues artist with his “jump blues” recordings of the pre-rock n’ roll era.

Headin’ for the station with a pack on my back
I’m tired of transportation in the back of a hack
I love to hear the rhythm of the clickety-clack
And hear the lonesome whistle, see the smoke from the stack
And pal around with democratic fellas named Mac
So take me right back to the track, Jack
Choo-choo, choo-choo ch’boogie
Woo-woo, woo-woo ch’boogie
Choo-choo, choo-choo ch’boogie
Take me right back to the track, Jack
You reach your destination, but alas and alack
You need some compensation to get back in the black
You take a morning paper from the top of the stack
And read the situations from the front to the back
The only job that’s open needs a man with a knack
So put it right back in the rack, Jack
Choo-choo, choo-choo ch’boogie
Woo-woo, woo-woo ch’boogie
Choo-choo, choo-choo ch’boogie
Take me right back to the track, Jack
Gonna settle down by the railroad track
Live the life of Riley in the beaten down shack
So when I hear a whistle, I can peep through the crack
And watch the train a-rollin’ when it’s ballin’ the jack
Well, I just love the rhythm of the clickety-clack
So take me right back to the track, Jack
Choo-choo, choo-choo ch’boogie
Woo-woo, woo-woo ch’boogie
Choo-choo, choo-choo ch’boogie
Take me right back to the track, Jack
Take me right back to the track, Jack
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Milt Gabler / Denver Darling / Vaughn Horton
Choo Choo Ch’Boogie lyrics © Rytvoc Inc., Rytvoc, Inc.

Retro Music 61

~ beetleypete ~ 31 Comments

Something different today, a comparison of two versions of the same retro song. The original, and a later cover. For a change, I love both versions, with the cover equally as good, in my opinion. I also saw the band who covered the song perform it live, and it was flawless.

In 1968, Barbara Acklin had a minor hit with this song. I was 16, and it was very much my kind of music.

In 1992, I was 40 years old, and already a fan of the British band, Swing Out Sister. They released a cover version that was a much bigger hit than Barbara’s original, and they kept it almost true to the song. I got to see them around 10 years later at the Jazz Cafe in Camden, and it was a delight to watch them play this live on stage.

Why don’t you stop (stop)
And look me over
(Look me over)
Am I the same girl
You used to know
Why don’t you stop (stop)
And think it over
(Think it over)
Am I the same girl
Who knew her soul
I’m the one you want
And I’m the one you need
I’m the one you love
The one you used to meet
Around the corner every day
We would meet and slip away
But we were much too young
To love each other this way
Am I the same girl
Yes, I am, yes, I am
Am I the same girl
Yes, I am, yes, I am
Why don’t you stop (stop)
And look me over
(Look me over)
Am I the same girl
You used to know
Why don’t you stop (stop)
And think it over
(Think it over)
Am I the same girl
Who knew her soul
I’m the one you hurt
And I’m the one you need
I’m the one who cried
I’m the one you used to meet
But you are pretending
You don’t care
And the fire is still there
But we were no longer too young
To love each other this way
Am I the same girl
Yes, I am, yes, I am
Am I the same girl
Yes, I am, yes, I am
Am I the same girl
Yes, I am, yes, I am
Am I the same girl
Yes, I am, yes, I am
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Eugene Record / William Nelson Sanders
Am I the Same Girl lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

Retro Music 60

~ beetleypete ~ 27 Comments

We often hear the expression, “It doesn’t get better than this”. It is one I use myself, on many occasions.

In 1965, I was a 13 year-old fan of Soul Music. I didn’t mind at all when it crossed genres into Torch Songs, or romantic ballads. And this choice qualifies as all three.

Lap it up!

As you can see, it was written by Van McCoy. That’s pedigree.

Unforunately, Barbara had few follow-up hits. She retired in 2021, due to ill health. But she left us with this classic.

(It was also recorded by British duo, Peter and Gordon. But they are best forgotten.)

Baby I’m yours (baby I’m yours)
And I’ll be yours until the stars fall from the sky
Yours until the rivers all run dry
In other words, until I die
Baby I’m yours (baby I’m yours)
And I’ll be yours until the sun no longer shines
Yours until the poets run out of rhyme
In other words, until the end of time
I’m gonna stay right here by your side
Do my best to keep you satisfied
Nothing in the world can drive me away
‘Cause every day you’ll hear me say
Baby I’m yours
And I’ll be yours until two and two is three
Yours until the mountain crumbles to the sea
In other words, until eternity
Baby I’m yours
Till the stars fall from the sky
Baby I’m yours
Till the rivers all run dry
Baby I’m yours
Till the poets run out of rhyme
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Van McCoy
Baby, I’m Yours lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Van Mccoy Music, Inc

In-Car Entertainment?

~ beetleypete ~ 68 Comments

When we went out looking to buy a different car recently, it soon became clear that very few cars made after 2017 came with a CD player built in. During the test drive of the one we eventually bought, I asked the young salesman if it had a CD player incorporated into the impressive ‘Entertainment System’.

He smiled.

Then looking at me as if I had asked if it came with an Edison Phonograph fixed to the dashboard, he told me, “No, nobody uses those anymore. Nobody wants them in a car. They use their phones, or memory sticks. You know, Spotify, streaming, stuff like that”.

As far as I am concerned, he was wrong to say ‘Nobody’.

I have no interest in Spotify, or messing about compiling playlists from online sources onto memory sticks. I make no criticism of those who do, but I enjoy listening to my favourite CDs on a long journey. I already have those CDs, a large collection of them accumulated over many years, and stored in a special cabinet. Before any long-distance journey, I would select some favourites (including some of Julie’s choice) and we would play them as we drove along.

Now car manufacturers have decided that I should no longer be able to do that. They have predicted that none of their buyers will use one in the car, so they can save themselves the incredibly small amount of money it cost them to include a small slot in the ‘Entertainment System’ to play them.

Before you tell me about ‘Progress’, I know. Young people do not buy CDs. They do not buy DVD films. Most of them no longer watch conventional TV shows when they are broadcast, preferring to stream and binge-watch.

But many of them do not buy expensive cars. Some of them don’t even bother to learn to drive. Those that do usually have to buy an old model because of the cost of motoring and insurance. Their old car (like my previous car) will have a CD player fitted. Yes they will never use it, but it does no harm just sitting there, waiting to be used.

For the benefit of this rant, let’s assume that ‘young people’ are those under 65 years of age. So what about us oldies, those over 65? There are over 11,000,000 people in England and Wales over the age of 65. And that number is growing. By 2026, it will almost certainly reach a total of 20% of the population, if not more.

‘The population of England and Wales has continued to age, with Census 2021 results confirming there are more people than ever before in older age groups. Over 11 million people – 18.6% of the total population – were aged 65 years or older, compared with 16.4% at the time of the previous census in 2011’

According to the salesman who sold us the car, “The majority of our customers are elderly people, most of them are retired. They are the people with the money or savings to buy cars”. From the horse’s mouth.

But God forbid we should be able to play our CDs in them.

Retro Music 59

~ beetleypete ~ 42 Comments

Back to 1960, when I was just 8 years old. My dad worked in the record business, and brought home an album by Etta James. As soon as I heard the record, I knew I loved it, especially this title track.

Etta had a very long career, performing in many genres of music. She could tackle anything from Jazz to Gospel, Soul to Blues. Her life was affected by heroin addiction, and brushes with the law. She continued to make records and perform live up to her death in 2012, at the age of 73.

At last, my love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
Ooh yeah, yeah
At last, the skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clover
The night I looked at you
I found a dream, that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to rest my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known
Ohh yeah yeah
You smile
You smile
Oh and then the spell was cast
And here we are in heaven
For you are mine
At last
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Harry Warren / Mack Gordon
At Last lyrics © Emi Feist Catalog Inc., Four Jays Music Publishing Company

Retro Music 57

~ beetleypete ~ 39 Comments

I was 19 years old in 1971, and my music tastes were becoming more varied. Deep down though, I was still a Soul Boy at heart, and that year I heard a wonderful Soul singer with his great new song. I bought this record the same day, then went on to buy his other records for the next four years.

By 1976 Al Green had decided to become a Gospel Minister, and changed his musical direction to Christian music. For me, that was a great loss to the genre of Soul Music.
He still performs today.

(The lyrics appear on the video.)

Retro Music 58

~ beetleypete ~ 43 Comments

Regular readers will know that I am not generally a fan of Rock Music. Whether that might be Progressive Rock, Heavy Rock, Heavy Metal, or any of the other names that fans give to it.

However, there are many notable exceptions, and this classic song is definitely one of those.

Led Zeppelin had been around since 1968, and this British four-piece band had already had much success, as well as legions of devoted fans. But I wasn’t one of those, so had never bought any of their records. Then I heard ‘Stairway To Heaven’, and decided I had to have it. This meant that I had to buy their latest album, which had no title. It was generally known as Led Zeppelin IV, and that’s what I asked for in the record shop.

True fans will be mortified to know that I didn’t like any of the other tracks, and only ever played ‘Stairway To Heaven’. I still like that song now.

Here it is, 52 years later. And in case you have forgotten by now, it is over 8 minutes long!

There’s a lady who’s sure
All that glitters is gold
And she’s buying a stairway to heaven
When she gets there she knows
If the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
And she’s buying a stairway to heaven
There’s a sign on the wall
But she wants to be sure
‘Cause you know, sometimes words have two meanings
In a tree by the brook
There’s a songbird who sings
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven
Ooh, it makes me wonder
Ooh, it makes me wonder
There’s a feeling I get
When I look to the west
And my spirit is crying for leaving
In my thoughts I have seen
Rings of smoke through the trees
And the voices of those who stand looking
Ooh, it makes me wonder
Ooh, it really makes me wonder
And it’s whispered that soon
If we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason
And a new day will dawn
For those who stand long
And the forests will echo with laughter
Oh whoa-whoa-whoa, oh-oh
If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow, don’t be alarmed now
It’s just a spring clean for the May Queen
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run
And there’s still time to change the road you’re on
And it makes me wonder
Oh, whoa
Your head is humming and it won’t go
In case you don’t know
The piper’s calling you to join him
Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow?
And did you know
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind?
And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last
When all are one and one is all, yeah
To be a rock and not to roll
And she’s buying a stairway to heaven
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Jimmy Page / Robert Anthony Plant
Stairway to Heaven lyrics © Flames Of Albion Music Inc., Succubus Music Ltd., Flames Of Albion Music, Inc.