This edition of Anatomy of a Song features a selection that revisits the iconic songwriting team of the Gershwins. It was the last song written by George Gershwin before his death in 1937, and brother Ira then added the lyrics as a tribute to his sibling. Although the song didn't get a lot of attention … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – About Staying Power
Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong were busy and successful music pros who wrote a lot of memorable songs for the Temptations. But one that they avoided for a couple of years would end up as a #1 hit for the group and become a signature song. Written in 1969, "just My Imagination" was a ballad, … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – A Surprising Super Hit
The title of this latest installment of Anatomy of a Song is a little misleading, because the song we're featuring is much better known by it's English title -- "Return to Me"-- but when Dean Martin introduced it in 1958 the Italian name was included in parentheses, so I figure that makes it pretty official. … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song: Ritorna-Me
I was thinking of using this song for the Saluting Silly Songs feature, but even though at first blush it seems a likely candidate, I'd rather think of it as something slightly more serious than that. So we'll go with Silly Songs' older brother in the Special Features category, Anatomy of a Song. I've written … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song: Pound Those Keys!
The story of today's Anatomy Of A Song starts with its composer, Mexican legend Consuelo Velázquez (Torres), who was often called Consuelito. She was 88 when she died in 2005, and had spun out a long and successful career as a pianist, singer, and composer. Many of the songs she wrote are still loved and … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – Consuelito’s Mexican Classic
As we all look forward to the approach of the new year (it has to be better than 2017, right?) I thought it might be a good time for another edition of one of my favorite Special Features, Anatomy Of A Song. The featured piece of music is one that has a history that includes … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – A Russian Classic Goes Pop
Another Gershwin classic is in the spotlight today, joining three others we've featured in the past -- but for a different Special Feature. All of the previous tunes appeared on our Fantastic Foursome feature. (You can see them here: "I've Got a Crush on You" - "Summertime" - "'S Wonderful") However, today's offering is showing … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – Revisiting The Gershwins
This edition of our Anatomy of a Song feature showcases a classic that's a little unusual. Like many of the old standards, it was written for a movie way back in the golden days of Hollywood musicals, but in this case it also became a hit record decades later for a doo-wop singing group. Written … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – From Movies To Doo-Wop
Our recent post about British singer Anne Shelton mentioned that she was the first to record an English version of the German song, "Lili Marlene," a World War II musical piece that has a fascinating history, including the fact that it became a favorite for fighting men on both sides. That fact alone makes it … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – A War Ballad Beloved By Both Sides
It's about time we had another edition of our oldest Special Feature, Anatomy of a Song, so here we go. Today's choice was popular with fans in two different eras although it had a contrasting style in each. It began life in the mid-1940s as a movie love song that was perfect for crooners, but … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – Differing Styles But Same Song
Geezer Music Club 