Saturday, May 20, 2023

Andy's 60s Music Wax Lyrical: Simplicity of Songs

Paul Anka with Diana Ayoub. He composed his big hit and writing the lyrics about her.

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Lyrics of bygone days are simple and easy to remember. Nearly every pop-song enthusiast can remember the innocence of Paul Anka's infatuation for 'Diana', his babysitter:

 I'm so young and you're so old
This my darling I've been told
I don't care just what they say
Cause forever I will stay...
Oh please stay by me, Diana.

 It has an easy, upbeat calypso rhythm associated with the blossoming appeal for the newly loved to 'stay by me'. Such songs are common with first love themes and the joyful, innocent union. For Anka it is genuine.
Shirley Nair with her other hits on Philips backed by The Silver Strings.

 Then there's the other extreme, as our local 60s boys and girls get into the song-writing act, so whether it's encountering first love or lamenting the loss of one, the same heart rendering devotion of innocence is projected. Shirley Nair's, 'Come Home To Me' reveals this phase as she pleads in all seriousness:

Oh my darling I miss you so
Please please try to understand
I never meant to hurt you
So please come home
Come home to me...

The rhythm is different with a pleasant rhumba beat and as the tears trickle the innocence of love prevails.
It was originally by Ben E. King, this classic became a big hit here in Singapore but covered by The Quests.

 I can still remember The Quests who backed Keith Locke (image) with the song, "You Lied". The repetitive lyrics using these two words made the composition so simple to remember and enjoy. No angry tones, no messages and no unpleasant words.  
Sung originally by Ben E. King, this classic became a big hit here in Singapore, even today and still carried by many local artistes. I remember it is the favourite of Patrick Chan (image above) who sang it during our gig at Boys' Town and Orchard Road in 2015.

Like life, lyrics written in the 60s were like stars in the sky, exposed. Are present lyrics just as straight-forward? Is life just as simple too?
Patrick Chan sings 'Don't Play That Song For Me'. Video by Fabian Foo. Thanks Fabian.

Image: Quests Collection
YouTube Video by Fabian Foo Jong Fook.
Original Article: Andy Lim
This article has been forwarded from 2015.
at

20 comments:

  1. Alfredo Wongo20.5.23

    Good and catchy song “ Don’t play that song again “

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cedric Collars20.5.23

    Life wasn't simple but lived to its maximum. The joys of simple pleasures was great however today things are made complicated and people have forgotten what simple joys are. A generation of lost and searching folks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bird Dog21.5.23

    Another 60s teen idol Neil Sedaka composed & sang his hit song 'Oh Carol' because of his infatuation with Carole King who is a fellow Tin Pan Alley tunesmith. In the end she married Gerry Goffin another tunesmith. Love is a strong impetus for song writers to come out with great memorable songs

    ReplyDelete
  4. CHIT CHAT21.5.23

    Colin Colin
    Lovely 😍

    Andy Young
    Colin Colin thanks for your constant support. Was at your shop with a friend but it was closed. A Monday it was...

    Colin Colin
    Andy Young oh..Mondays are our off days..oops sorry..

    Andy Young
    Colin Colin no worries. Another day...Thanks.

    Colin Colin
    Andy Young ok.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©21.5.23

    Andy Young
    It's interesting how songs in the 50s, 60s focus on the 'girl loves boy' obsession and vice-versa. And the lyrics are amazingly simple to remember and sing....

    ReplyDelete
  6. CHIT CHAT21.5.23

    Andy Young
    Here's Patrick Chan singing DON'T PLAY THAT SONG FOR ME...
    Up to 8,000 views.

    Andy Young
    Thanks James for the LIKE.

    Andy Young
    Hey and Ivor too. Thanks for the LIKE!

    ReplyDelete
  7. FRED CHING21.5.23

    Fred Ching
    A great rendition from Patrick Chan and The Silver Strings!
    One of the first songs I fell in love with as a little boy.
    Love it more today.. takes me back to those youthful days of joys.

    Was reminiscing about this band, Keith Locke and The Quests recently, and memories of playing this song on repeat mode and this kind of music I was listening to in the sixties and still loving it now.

    Thanks Brother Andy for posting!
    Cheers.
    👍❤️🥰..

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_f7khvTSUQ

    ReplyDelete
  8. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©21.5.23

    Andy Young

    Fred Ching yes, one of the best songs those years, shadowing even the original Ben King. Thanks for the video and memory trail Fred.

    You're really a music historian with a track record for watching the most concerts in SG. Anytime you feel like writing for the blog, its stage is always ready for your performance.

    Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  9. CHIT CHAT21.5.23

    Stephen Han
    This is the first time I saw Diana

    Andy Young
    Stephen Han Yes, DIANA AYOUB. He had a crush on this lady who was older than him. Thanks Stephen.

    ReplyDelete
  10. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©21.5.23


    Hi Rose, long time no write.
    Long years since you came to our show at the National Library Public Hall.
    Thanks for the visit and other visits on the blog too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©21.5.23

    Thanks to ALFREDO WONGO, BIRD DOG, CEDRIC COLLARS
    For the sincere and informative comments.
    Appreciate you gentlemen visiting the blog.

    And also thanks to the CHIT CHATS with this special group of folks who are so supportive of the blog.

    ReplyDelete
  12. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©21.5.23

    A special note to BIRD DOG.
    This is one person who has been a mystery to me.

    BIRD DOG, many thanks for your contribution to the blog.
    You have made many comments and very informative ones too but have never revealed who you are. I hope you will one day.

    People like you are really sumthin'
    A BIRD DOG indeed.
    Helpful in what you do!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. CHIT CHAT22.5.23

    Koh Daisy
    Old songs more romantic, genuine expressions of love, heart break, disappointment…🥰

    Andy Young
    Koh Daisy yes, true. The inevitable story of human kind. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. CHIT CHAT22.5.23

    Rose Khoo
    Enjoyed reading yr blogs!

    Andy Young
    Rose Khoo thanks so much for being supportive. Now I know you read it too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. CHIT CHAT22.5.23

    Freda Hanum
    Loved those times, the song lyrics are so simple and so meaningful...

    Andy Young
    Freda Hanum yes, but today's simpler.
    BLACK PINK's pop hit: HOW YOU LIKE THAT? goes:

    "Now look at you, now look at me, look at you, now look at me.
    Look at you, now look at me, how you like that?"
    🙂
    Simpler but not meaningful; or is it?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Bird Dog22.5.23

    Ayoub..name sounds Middle Eastern. Thats where the dots connect. Many didnt know Paul Anka is of Lebanese origin

    ReplyDelete
  17. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©23.5.23

    Yes, he is BIRD DOG.
    Canadian born, his folks migrated from Italy but were of Syrian/Lebanese descent.
    Pop in again when free, to help put some sugar and salt on this blog.

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  18. CHIT CHAT23.5.23

    Susan Koh
    Andy Young I love your song
    🎶
    My mom always listening to your song.
    I hope can be friend with you if you don’t mind.
    😭😭🙏🤭

    Andy Young
    Susan Koh thank you for the visit.
    Write in with your mom anytime to comment.
    Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  19. suituapui9.6.23

    Yes, Shirley Nair's, 'Come Home To Me' is my favourite song from a Singapore singer. I love Keith Locke & The Quests' Don't play that song too...and I'm on top of the world. Where did all the good times go, all the lovely songs in those bygone days?

    ReplyDelete
  20. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©10.6.23

    Hi STP
    Thanks for the lovely comment and nostalgic reminders.
    Yes I wonder too!

    It's time moving, and much faster too!

    ReplyDelete