Willie Nelson

Always On My Mind.

You could be forgiven for thinking this song is much older than it is, I know I did. But it was written as recently as 1969, which I suppose for many of you, is old enough. 🙂

The first recording of this song was by B.J. Thomas, the singer who sang ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On Your Head’, on the film soundtrack to ‘Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. But it had to wait until Elvis Presley recorded his version, in 1972, to become a huge worldwide hit. I confess that I was never a fan of Elvis. However, I did like his version of this song, (and also his recording of ‘Suspicious Minds’) as the big ballad with a theme of lost love suited Presley well, and he really nailed it.

Cover versions continued to pour in, with this simple love song becoming one of the most covered songs in the history of music. In 1982, Country singer Willie Nelson had a big hit with it, considered by many to be the best version. Five years later, British pop duo The Pet Shop Boys took the song into the electronic age, with their fast-paced version reaching number one in the UK. It is still being recorded and covered in live performances, to this day. Fifty years after it was written.

Here are four versions for you to enjoy. You may well already have your own favourite.

B.J. Thomas.

Elvis.

Willie.

Pet Shop Boys. (This looks blank, but does work)

There are some songs that have endured throughout my life. They are not necessarily pop songs, or even classics. However, I believe them to be timeless, unaffected by fashion, or trend, and I am always delighted to hear them, and for them to reflect my mood, as the best music should. Here is a small selection, and I hope that you discover something that you enjoy, or revisit an old friend.

Crazy. Written by Willie Nelson and Oliver English, in 1961, this version by Patsy Cline, from 1962, is without doubt, the definitive version of this Country classic. I hold no brief for C+W music, in fact, I generally dislike it. Still, you would have to have a hard heart, to resist the plaintive tones of Miss Cline. See for yourself.

Cry me a river. Despite many versions of this song over the years, including the recent world-wide hit by Michael Buble, there is only one version worth listening to. Julie London, with her smoky jazz tones, was born to sing this masterpiece. Released in 1955, and stripped down to a Jazz bass and guitar accompaniment, with nothing extra required, it will break your heart, every time you hear it. If it doesn’t, make sure to check that you actually have a heart!

My Man. The tragic life and career of Billie Holiday, is well known, from books and films. Her transition from Blues to Jazz, has left us with some of the most emotional songs ever recorded. You can hear and feel the pain in her voice. Here is her signature song, ‘My Man’, later made famous by Barbra Streisand, in the film, ‘Funny Girl’. This version is from later in her life, though it was originally recorded as long ago as 1938.

Stardust. Crooner, pianist, and marvellous songwriter, Hoagy Carmichael has almost been forgotten in modern times. His contribution to music deserves better, and this song, written (almost unbelievably) as long ago as 1927, has been recorded by most of the giants of the 20th century’s vocalists. Here is the original, and for my money, the best version, by Carmichael himself. Please appreciate it, if you feel so inclined.

The very thought of you. Al Bowlly, originally from Mozambique, became a famous singer with jazz bands of the 1920’s, and forged a great career in Britain. His simple, easy crooning style, belies a great talent within. He was killed in an air raid in London, in 1941, but for me, he lives on, in so many hit records. This is one of the most famous, from 1934.

Nobody knows when you’re down and out. The true voice of pre-depression era America, the Blues singer Bessie Smith, recorded this classic track in 1929. Like many before and after her, she had a tragic life, marred by an unlucky marriage, alcohol abuse, and depression. You can really hear it, in her emotional rendition of this 1926 jimmy Cox song.

A change is gonna come. Moving on many decades, I feel compelled to add a slightly more modern song. The first is the Sam Cooke version from 1963, though I almost prefer the Otis Redding version some years later, so I will feature both. Whichever you choose, you will find a song showing the transition in America during the early 1960’s, and the emergence of the civil rights movement. If hairs stand up on your body, join the club!

Space Oddity. Changing the mood and feel, this David Bowie song from 1969, must also be included as a timeless anthem to space travel, and exploration. Unique in its day, adopted by NASA, and played whenever anything to do with Space is ever featured, it is a one-off, and will undoubtedly be played as long as music exists. This somewhat unfamiliar clip is actually the first video version of this song, so it does sound a lot different.

Moondance. This song by Van Morrison, originally released in 1970, is one of the most played, most copied, and most covered of modern pop songs. The fusion of jazz and pop music is almost seamless, and it appeals to so many different people, it is almost the definitive ‘vanilla’ song. To my mind, it is faultless, and always worth another hearing.

Back to Black. For my last selection, I am choosing something that I believe will become timeless, as it is perhaps too modern to claim that title just yet. The late Amy Winehouse left us with such a small catalogue of work, it is a tragedy to me that there will be no more. I have featured this track, as it sums up her dark life, and bleak moods.