I’ve had this secret wish, as long as I can remember – to host a radio show where I can play all sorts of music. I would introduce songs, compositions, and pieces that touch my heart to my listening audience. I’d talk about each selection and give some background on the artist or the piece itself. I love sharing my discoveries.
If someone asked me to do this tomorrow, I’d sign on immediately.
Anyway, my life has always been greatly influenced by all kinds of music. I studied piano. I sang in the choir. I sang in quartets. I sang professionally. I sang onstage in countless musicals. Along the way, I bought albums (hundreds of them) and listened to music all of the time. A researcher by nature, I now know a heck of a lot about popular song, music for the theater and film, pop music (of a certain era,) classical music, more and more about jazz and folk and a wee bit about country. Add to that the fact that I have a lot of friends who are musicians, as well as a husband who is one, and you can see that I’ve been able to learn a great deal from them. They’ve enriched my musical life.
None of this is being said to toot my own horn, but rather to let you in on a big part of my life – past and present. Music, as we all know, is powerful. It can change your day in an instant. It can immediately take you back to another time and place. It can overwhelm you with emotion. It can make you laugh and dance and sing.
I have a playlist that I’ve put together over the past few years. It takes me to what I call my Happy Place. Yesterday, as I sat here with ear buds in listening to music, I thought I might share some of the pieces on my playlist with you over the course of the next few days. I’ll add some information about each selection – just as I would if I was hosting a show on air. Maybe they’ll spark some memories for you…maybe you’ll share some memories with me. I’m going to do this all week long.
I’m going to put the playlist on Shuffle. Let’s see what comes up.
My playlist
• How Can I Be Sure – The Young Rascals
Recorded when the group was still the ‘Young’ Rascals, this romantic, plaintive melody sung by Eddie Brigati, brings back memories of my youth. Brigati’s voice is full of the emotion of young love. I remember it well.
How do I know?
Maybe you’re trying to use me,
Flying too high can confuse me,
Touch me but don’t take me down.
• Witchcraft – Sung by Frank Sinatra
Written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. I’m a big fan of Cy Coleman’s work and Frank Sinatra recorded several of his songs. There’s nothing better than Frank singing this song with an arrangement by the great Nelson Riddle. I can’t help but start snapping my fingers.
Those fingers in my hair,
That sly come-hither stare,
That strips my conscience bare
It’s witchcraft.
• Let’s Hang On – Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
The big, twanging guitar riff right at the beginning, right before they launch into “Let’s hang on to what we got” gets me every time. I have to start dancing. The sound of the Four Seasons is so distinctive – not another sound like it. This song makes me happy.
• Spellbound – Joe Sample
The late, great Joe Sample (he died last year) was an amazing musician. Pianist, composer, arranger, jazz musician. He was one of the founding members of the Jazz Crusaders which eventually morphed into the Crusaders. Spellbound is beautiful, haunting, and it gets me every time. I first heard it on the radio, became obsessed by it, and had to buy it. I have two versions of this piece on my playlist: the original version and another version. The later version is a slower, even more hauntingly beautiful rendition and the only instrument heard is the piano as played by Sample. He will be missed.
• Wheels of Life – Gino Vannelli
Love, love Gino Vannelli’s over-the-top, gorgeous voice. I have a few of his albums and this piece is one of my favorites. He has the kind of voice that gets to you, full of emotion, capable of vocal pyrotechnics. Love this song. Love this arrangement. It takes me right back to the late seventies, early eighties. My friend Joe and I used to listen to Vannelli all the time.
And if I should have only one tomorrow,
It’s a lifetime if I knew,
I could spend it all with you
Sigh. Can you tell I’m a romantic?
• This Nearly Was Mine – Barbara Cook
Quite simply, to my mind, one of the most beautiful songs ever written. From South Pacific, words and music by the great Rodgers and Hammerstein. This song of love almost found, then lost, is heartbreakingly beautiful. Written for the opera star Ezio Pinza, its soaring, operatic melody is gorgeous. Barbara Cook, one of my favorite singers ever, sings it simply, from the heart. And toward the end, she holds a note so long, so beautifully, you think she’ll run out of breath. But she doesn’t. It just fades away.
Close to my heart she came
Only to fly away
Only to fly as day flies to moonlight.Now, now I’m alone
Still dreaming of paradise
Still saying that paradise
Once nearly was mine.
I have another version of this song on my playlist – just guitar, by the great Pat Metheny.
• Pretty World – Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66
I love bossa nova, love the words and music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, love the sound of that music. Love Brazil ’66. This is from their quintessential album, Classics, Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66. They had such a great sound – very sexy music.
• Both Sides Now – Joni Mitchell
This is the more recent arrangement (although I have the original, too.) This one has Joni singing the words of her much-loved song from an older, wiser point-of view. The arrangement is gorgeous, her smoky, older voice deeply powerful. I cry every time I hear it. Every time. Give it a listen.
• On the 4th of July – James Taylor
From his album, October Road. I was introduced to this song last year by a friend who posted it on Facebook in honor of the anniversary of the day Don and I met. I’d never heard it before. It’s so beautiful, and the words so echo our own story that I couldn’t stop playing it. It makes me cry, too.
And the smell of the smoke and the lay of the land
And the feeling of finding one’s heart in one’s hand
And the tiny tin voice of the radio band singing ‘love must stand’
Love forever and ever must stand.
• Lyin’ Eyes – The Eagles
I’m a big fan of The Eagles. I love their music – especially their songs that tell a story, as this one does. Great singing, great arrangements, incredible guitar work and a haunting story. What’s not to love?
• You’ll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart) – Dionne Warwick
Written by the great Burt Bacharach and Hal David, this song is sung beautifully by the very young Dionne Warwick. What a voice. As with all Bacharach/David tunes, you can’t help but sing along. Might I add that there’s a haunting quality to it? (Can you tell I like that sort of thing?)
I’ve been hearing rumors about how you play around
Though I don’t believe what I hear, still it gets me down
If you ever should say goodbye
I’d feel so awful, the angels would cry
• What Kind of Fool am I? – Sammy Davis, Jr.
I’m a huge fan of the voice of Sammy Davis, Jr., the sheer quality of which is often lost in the Rat Pack image of Davis. He could sing like nobody’s business. Crystal clear, deeply resonant, his voice could make your heart break in two, it was so beautiful. This song, written by the great Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, is from the musical, “Stop the World, I Want to Get Off.”
What kind of lips are these
That lied with every kiss
That whispered empty words of love
That left me alone like this
Gut wrenching. I also have a version sung by Anthony Newley on my playlist.
• Husbands And Wives – Brooks & Dunn
Written and originally recorded by the late Roger Miller, this is one of my favorites. Though I’m not a big fan of country music, Don and I heard this arrangement on the radio when we were living in San Diego and we bought the CD immediately. Gorgeous. Beautifully executed by Brooks & Dunn.
The angry words spoken in haste
Such a waste of two lives
It’s my belief pride is the chief cause in the decline
Of the number of husbands and wives.
• Along Comes Mary – The Association
I loved The Association. I saw them live in concert. This, one of their first big hits, still gets me. Perfect arrangement with the lead vocal sung by Jim Yester.
Every time I think that I’m the only one who’s lonely
Someone calls on me
And every now and then I spend some time at rhyme and verse
And curse those faults in me.
Yes, I know it’s about marijuana. I don’t care. I love it.
• Our Day Will Come – Ruby and the Romantics
Such a great oldie, sung by Ruby, I imagine, who has a great, deep, resonant voice.
Our day will come
And we’ll have everything
We’ll share the joy
Falling in love can bring
• Calling You – Jane Mortifee
This song is from the movie Bagdad Café. It’s so beautiful. I’ve loved it since I first heard it. This particular rendition, sung by Canadian artist Jane Mortifee, came to my attention via the late, lamented CBC radio show, Disc Drive. Oh, how I miss that show. The host, Jurgen Gothe, had my dream job, sharing all kinds of music every day with his loyal listening audience. He played this piece one day and I went a little crazy trying to find the recording. I did and it’s now on my playlist. Mortifee sings it beautifully.
That’s the first edition of My Playlist. Tomorrow, I’ll share more with you. Any questions about any of the selections? Let me know in the comments.
The winner of a copy of The Long and Faraway Gone is Annie Graham. Congratulations, Annie. I’ve sent you an email.
Happy Sunday.
Good morning Claudia, now I have to do my homework and check out the songs I don’t know. Sounds fun and thanks for giving me something to do while I wait for the snow.Have a great day. Doris
The snow is here, Doris. Oy.
WOW..Those bring back lots of memories..They’d all be on my list if I could think of them..:) I usually know what song is going to play after the first several notes..Oldies anyway..I’m not too familiar with much of todays music..Nice post, Claudia..
Thanks, Missy.
Claudia,
Here is a fun little thing to do. Just click on the link and follow the directions to find the #1 hit song on the day you were born.
http://playback.fm/birthday-song
I know about this site, Sarah. In fact, just about a week ago, Don did it for me. Unfortunately, the song was “I went to your wedding” by Patti Page – a song I do not like at all!
My husband was a part-time DJ for restaurants and private functions, and also did a bit of radio, as a guest on shows. He knew a lot about pop and rock music, especially the 50’s and 60’s, though he was well-versed in all eras. It’s difficult still for me to listen to pop and rock since he died. Reminds me too much of him and makes me too sad. I stick to classical these days, until such a time that I can bear to listen to the genres he loved.
Oh course. That’s completely understandable. Someday you’ll be ready to hear that music, but in the meantime, classical is awfully beautiful. I have some of that on my playlist, as well.
Fantastic list! Some are familiar friends, some I don’t know. The first few notes of a song can transport me back to distant places and friends.
How Can I Be Sure…. I am back riding in a car on a Sunday afternoon w/ a friend who is now gone. We were at the mercy of the radio back then, as to whether or not we would hear those favorite songs! Not even an 8-track in that old car!! Guess that is how we became so proficient at pushing those pre-set buttons to get to every “good” station and hear what was playing.
Both Sides Now… the newer version JM sings is amazing. The words are the same, but we know the person singing isn’t. Life does change us, even in how we interpret words as we grow and age.
Thanks for some wonderful memories and the intro to some new music! Looking forward to the next posts!!
That newer version of Both Sides Now just slays me. It’s so, so powerful.
I tend to listen to the radio when I’m driving – that’s usually how I learn about new artists. My playlist is all over the map – everything from Anna Netrebko singing opera (just love her!) to Counting Crows (cover of “Big Yellow Taxi” is a fave) to the latest from Bruno Mars. I grew up in England in the seventies and my brothers and cousins lived for punk music, so The Clash has been known to sneak in there too, closet rebel that I am.
My daughter loves folk music and wants to know if Don is familiar with the late Stan Rogers. One of these days I’ll have to haul our old record player and vinyl albums out of storage and play her some Joni Mitchell the way we used to listen to her.
It’s still bitterly cold here, but late last night we were treated to a lovely show of the northern lights. We’ve seen this phenomenon many times, but it’s always quite wonderful.
Have a restful and warm Sunday!
I’m sure he is. I am, that’s for sure. I grew up with folk music, as did Don, so we are familiar with a lot of its history. Such wonderful memories.
I’ve seen the Northern Lights only once – many, many years ago – and the experience is still vivid in my memory. Extraordinary.
Five of yours are on my play list too! Oh, the 60’s were a great time for music!
It sure was a great time!
First congrats Annie on winning the book! So sorry to be impatient about it Claudia.;)
Now- had a good laugh at The Association ALONG COMES MARY– and the marihuana comment!! Hilarious!!!
And finally?
The South Pacific- never saw it. But when I read this post- I immediately saw a black and white picture with my mom onstage — highschool drama! I don’t know the song sung by Barbara Cook -THIS NEARLY WAS MINE.
I’m very curiuos. I want to go and have a listen .
Have a great day!
You too, Pat. It’s, of course, snowing here. Again.
I’ll be listening to my music!
Claudia, I love this post. Some of the songs I’m familiar with and others I’m not. Some music to look up and listen too. I need to find something to download music to so I can start listening again. Seems that technology has passed me by in this aspect. My oldest daughter listens to music all the time from her phone and my youngest and her husband are big on vinyl! Tiger is learning about music from pop, rock, blues,jazz,classical and folk all the time. I miss listening to music and you’ve inspired me to find a way to add it back to my life!
hugs,
Linda
Sometimes, I stay away from it for too long and I can feel its absence in my life. Then I make sure to take time to listen again.
I remembered my friend gave me a little device that he downloaded a few songs on. I found it and now I’m listening to some music!! Now to figure out how to download my own selections to it! I can do this!
Of course you can! Go for it!
Claudia, I think you’d love this program from Rochester’s WXXI [public radio] on Saturday mornings. It’s called “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” and highlights some aspect of American music each week, often from what it now considered the golden age of songwriting. It’s been on for YEARS. I almost never listen to radio at home but whenever I’m out and about on Saturdays I always try to catch it [when I forget, I always want to kick myself – hard – because it’s that good]. Even when I start out thinking “oh gee, the topic this week doesn’t sound too interesting to me…” I end up being very glad I stuck with it. Here’s a link in case you ever watch to check it out > http://interactive.wxxi.org/rhythm/ PS – “This Nearly Was Mine” is on my iPod playlist too [which is very heavy on Broadway shows]. IMO, that and “Some Enchanted Evening” are two of the most glorious melodies ever written. Have a very musical Sunday…
I’ll most definitely check it out. Here in NY, we have the great Jonathan Schwartz on WNYC every Saturday and Sunday. He’s the son of Arthur Schwartz, the composer of Dancing in the Dark, and he is incredible. Knows everything there is to know about American Popular Song. His show is also available for streaming. You can find it on wnyc.org. You’d really like him.
Great playlist Claudia..and such a good variety..I also enjoyed all types of music including show music and still do..One fact though..I was a super fan of The Young Rascals and How Can I Be Sure was one of my most favorite..I do believe it was sung by Eddie Brigati not Felix Cavaliere..I loved The Association too..What fun remembering all of these great old songs…Thanks for the fun on a boring Sunday since the snow ruined my plans to go antiquing..
You’re absolutely right, Nancy. They wrote it together, but Eddie sang the lead. I edited the post accordingly.
This is a great post. ‘This Nearly Was Mine’ is one of my all time favourites. It’s the poignancy of the not quite fully realised yet lost love that makes it so powerful. Rodgers and Hammerstein were brilliant at these poignant love songs, e.g. ‘ ‘People Will Say we’re in Love’ (Oklahoma) and ‘If I Loved You’ (Carousel). I am going to enjoy listening to the rest of your list.
They were the best at writing that kind of heartbreaking song.
What a fun and eclectic mix. Some of my favorites that I’d forgotten about. I think you need to start a youtube station. Don’t ask me how it’s done but there are vlogs everywhere now. If its on your list of this would make me happy – then there’s your answer. Remember there was probably a day when you never thought you would have a blog.
Oh boy. A YouTube Channel? That might be out of my skill set…
My favorite is Nina Simone-“Feelin Good.” Her voice is amazing. This song will be playing in 59 more school days when I retire! Ha.
Written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, by the way. From the musical, The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd. Love Nina Simone.
I learned some things about you today. I knew you were talented but had no idea you could sing, it should have occurred to me because you do theater, but it didn’t. Maybe you should put a radio plugin in your sidebar with your play list on it.
Maybe….. but I have a feeling it would slow the blog down, Dawn. Don’t you think so?
I have “How Can I Be Sure” on my iPod and listen to it all the time. It is one of my forever and ever favorites. I have all of Frank Sinatra’s music. I love Benny Carter, Billie Holiday and we were lucky enough to go to one of Dave Bruback’s concerts. My Mom almost went to Julliard. Her daddy played violin. I took piano lessons too and sang in school and church choirs. I inherited my Mom’s perfect pitch. Music is a huge part of my life. I have it playing constantly. While I love Big Band and Jazz, I also love Classical, Pop and Rock. If I am ever feeling sad, music is what I turn to for solace. It lifts my spirits in no time. I hope your dream comes true. You would be a wonderful radio host.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I love Big Band, too – and Jazz. But I actually love everything except Rap.
I grew up listening to musicals and South Pacific’s This Nearly Was Mine is one of my all time favorite songs. I had to go to Youtube and play the song. Over and Over.
Then I got to looking around and found this very happy song that I thought for Sure would be on your favorite list ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WM_R-6AKHE
Thanks for the beautiful music today!
It’s not on my playlist, but I do have it here on a Carly Simon album. And I like it very much!
oh, how I do love the Eagles… someone I cared about once told me Lyin Eyes reminded him of me.. and at the time, it was a very sad truth. Thankfully, it was a looong time ago.
Thanks for sharing your playlist.
There’s even more coming this week, Karen. I love the Eagles – we just watched a documentary on them on Netflix. It’s really, really interesting.
Hi Claudia! How much time do you have? Could you do a Music 101 to teach me where to even start on how to listen to music? Seriously. What do I buy? An IPod? How do I make a playlist. No clue on how to get a song, a list, or whatever it is I need. It’s shocking I know, but I know NOTHING about listening to music other than on my car radio. If you could tell me what to buy I’ll go tomorrow. Then if you could explain how to get all the songs you listed on it I will be very happy. Yes, I come from a very unmusical family and I can’t carry a tune but I know I do love a good song. Thanks for your help. Linda H
Well. I have an iPod, though I don’t use it anymore, and you can certainly use an iPod to dowload music. But now I use my iPhone and my computer which is a MacBook Pro. You just need some kind of MP3 player and iTunes and once you’ve registered an account with iTunes, you can buy and download music to your player. If you have iTunes on your computer, you can copy music from CD’s you might already have onto your playlist, by inserting the CD into your computer and copying the track you’re interested in adding.
I bet there are tutorials out there. Just google: How to dowload music to you computer or MP3 player.
Love your playlist. Most of them are favorites of mine, too. Do a podcast, Claudia! I will listen.
I don’t know….a podcast? Maybe…I’ll have to think about that one.
Huge, huge, HUGE fan of Gino Vannelli here. Listened to him for HOURS on end. At the time I was listening to him so much, I just could not find out a whole lot about him (pre-internet). I have a bunch of vinyl and CDs boxed up since my move last spring and I want to find his music again. Glad you reminded me about him; he does indeed have an incredible voice. His voice is powerful and passionate. I’m gonna look him up right now; haven’t heard or read anything about him in so long…oh, how I’m remembering his song, “I Just Wanna Stop.”
You’re making me remember what fun it was, in my early 20s, to go to the record shop after work at the end of the week and load up with several albums…vinyl of course…and listen to them all weekend, memorizing all the songs, looking at the album liner notes and photos/art (sorta like bringing home a new hardcover book). Old-fashioned record stores…they’ve gone the way of so many independent bookstores and other specialty shops I yearn for in this era of chains, box stores and cyberspace.
I said yes-yes-yes to so much of what is on your shuffle list but I was particularly struck by ‘Calling You.’ Another thing I searched and searched to find out about (strangely, I think the first time I heard it was on a television commercial for some kind of long-distance service or something). It’s a haunting song. Hauntingly-beautiful. Seeringly-beautiful. Stirring. I eventually learned about Baghdad Cafe (did I spell that right?) and I’m sure you know that Barbra Streisand has recorded it? I’ve got that version, too.
Claudia, please do another post on your music tastes! This was fun! Brasil ’66…you will not believe this, it’s just too coincidental (I’d never seen your post until right now) but I JUST YESTERDAY added their album Ye-Me-Le to my Amazon cart because I came across something about them which reminded me of how much I listened to that album of theirs, vinyl of course, from back in the day, and I like to replay my young adulthood thru music; brings back a lot of memories. These are among the very first albums I ever bought. I always thought Lani Hall was a mesmerizing singer. You know she’s married to Herb Alpert…
Another singer who I was so in love with was Kenny Rankin. He passed away in the last few years but I was so, so lucky: I got to see him at a benefit concert in Beverly Hills about a year or two before he died. His voice was velvet and his guitar playing was so perfect. He sang, ‘On Broadway’ and I’d never heard that on any record of his…I think I have every one of his records, collected over many years…so I know that was a rare treat. He should have recorded it; it was so different from the George Benson version or the ‘original’ song we all heard on the radio by The Drifters.
I love Kenny Rankin and have a couple of his albums. One of the best. For some reason I haven’t added him to the playlist, but I’m going to remedy that.
I miss record stores. There’s a post somewhere on the blog about that subject.
When I went to read about Gino Vannelli last night (thought-provoking post from you about fave music!!) and refresh my memory, it was mentioned that Herb Alpert gave Gino his true start, signing him to Alpert’s A&M record label. I’m ever-reminded how the ‘world of music’ is so interconnected and it seems, especially back in the day, a musician or singer would be attached to one band, then go to another…can’t describe what I’m saying, really, but if you saw the same Eagles doc I saw, Tim Schmidt was in Poco and then went to the Eagles. (Yet he’d replaced Randy Meisner in Poco, who became an Eagle.) But I think Jim Messina was in Poco, and then he got together with Kenny Loggins. Look at Eric Clapton with Cream and also Yardbirds, which had Jimmy Page who wound up with Led Zeppelin; Glen Frey and Don Henley left Linda Ronstadt to be Eagles. Crazy! Or Crosby-Stills-Nash, Stills coming from Buffalo Springfield, Crosby from The Byrds and Nash from The Hollies. Impossible to keep it all straight! A very complicated family tree.
What got me to thinking about all that was Kenny Rankin and how his wife, Yvonne, would sing background vocals. Then I remembered she remarried somebody in the L.A. music thing but I couldn’t remember who…then, Calderon, yes, Jorge Calderon who did so much with Warren Zevon but also Jackson Browne and, more symmetry, CSN and Eagles.
Anyway, looking forward to your Playlist #2!