Frankie Cheah - To Sir, With Perfect Diction

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LATEST NEWS: 28 February 2022.

Frankie Cheah, from a video I saw on What'sApp, is still around and well.

"I'm alive, I'm alive," he confirmed with his wife beside him.

Be careful of fake news. But trust my blog. Always read it first.

Cheers!

26/04/2010.

SONGS I LOVE:

When I heard Frankie Cheah, a Malaysian Chinese, singing *Woman In My Life for the first time, I didn't believe he is Asian. He has perfect diction that is practically non-existent amongst singers in this region, with a strong and clean voice to match, one that suits the ballads he sings. His interpretation of this lovely song has an appeal that is still fresh today. It will definitely be a big hit if released again and is one of the very few songs by a local singer that I appreciate.

Frankie Cheah was a mathematics teacher from across the causeway at Segamat, Johore Bahru, Malaysia and recorded with giant EMI. His other big hit, Cheryl Moana Marie, also won accolades and Cheah is as much a household name in Singapore as he is in Malaysia and the region. During pop concerts in Singapore, Cheah's performance usually draws a full house at the National Theatre (Tank Road), the Early Bird and Musical Express gigs at cinema halls in Singapore.

In the early 70s, besides recording in EP and LP format in English (produced by Reggie Verghese of The Quests), he has also recorded some Malay songs. His English selection includes popular ballads like Chotto Matte Kudasai, It's Impossible, You've Got A Friend, Lovers, Help Me Make It Through The Night and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.

The above image shows a bootleg EP which has My Name Is The Wind, Love Story, Song Of A Sad Man and Why. Because his records sold well, as they were all number one in the Malaysian Top 20 in the early 70s, the Pirates took advantage as usual.

Even with his Malay album, Cheah sings with feeling and conviction keeping to the difficult rhythm of the Malay 'asli' beat. The selection includes one very popular EP with Amalan Suci (ReggieVerghese/Ismail Haron). The other three songs are Putera Putri (Jimmy Boyle/Dol Baharin), Putus Sudah Kasih Sayang (P. Ramlee) and Syurga Pura Pura (Ismail Haron).

Cheah has since retired but his achievement in the pop music field did not go unnoticed as he was recognised by the Malaysian music industry and awarded the Anugerah Sri Wiramar (2004). He was at EMI (UK) in 1977, headhunted by Warner Music, Malaysia and managed it a year later. When he left, he started Pacific Music which was bought by BMG Malaysia/Singapore where he rose to Chairperson.

*Has been recorded by Bobby Vee, Engelbert Humperdinck, Dutch group called, Left Side.

Information: YouTube/keithyoong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=METjtMKnUUM

Image/Article: Andy Lim Collection.

(A) The Stylers - Professional Music Makers 60s

Stylers Story as told by Rann Lee (rhythm guitarist) to Andy:

It was the usual thunderous applause when they appeared at nightclubs, concerts, theatres or dinner and dance events. Whether they were accompanying singers or SE Asian film stars, recording vinyls, playing as an orchestral group with a dozen musicians, or just providing dance music, they were one of the most versatile and reputable bands during the peak of the guitar instrumental mayhem.

From Singapore to peninsular Malaysia, Sabah & Sarawak, Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong, The Stylers reigned supreme. Known previously as The Angels, the boys began their journey from the quiet 1960s kampong areas in the East where they each lived, either at Geylang, Katong, Joo Chiat or Tembeling Road.

While participating in a show for the cinema giant Cathay Organisation, they decided for a name change because one of the managers, who saw them on stage, told them that they played with grace and "plenty of style". The name stuck and the familiar band logo (image), that partially resembled a Playboy bunny, became synonymous with a-go go, off beat cha cha, hala hala, rock and ballads. The group became a professional Singapore 60s music icon with a niche in the Chinese pops recording industry.

Image/Information: Randy Lee.
Original article: Andy Lim.
Read: Ronnie See & The Stylers - His Story - Part II

Olivia Ong - Little Nyonya Makes It Big In Japan

Above You Tube video from: nytatai

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Nearly 11,000  views  for
this posting alone. Check
it out: 25.08.17
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TODAY'S NEWS/60's MUSIC:

Oo! Initials for a pretty package from our shore. The younger lot will know her. It's Olivia Ong, a Singapore Chinese, who's made it big singing the theme song, Like Swallows from one of the most successful TV drama from Media Corps called, The Little Nyonya. Together with two other Singaporean girls she is a member of a Japanese-Pop group called, Mirai. And they are a hit in the land of the rising sun.

Now what's her connection with 60s music? Looking at her repertoire, Ong sings evergreens like:

Fly Me To The Moon 
Quiet Nights And Quiet Stars 
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You Sometimes When We Touch 
One Note Samba
Close To You
First Of May
L-O-V-E
My Favourite Things.

After Japan, she was in Taiwan and goes to Hong Kong and China to promote her English album Olivia in April and May. It has been tough going for her without her family around but ultimately persistence and hard work prevailed. She realised that it takes more than one song to make an artiste famous and that there are many more hurdles to face.
The information from Wikipedia describes her singing as "sultry, soulful, prestine and innocent" and that she's one of a "new wave of Singaporean talent exported internationally". 

This young lady, who sings Bossa Nova in her debut album is only 24 years young. And she's been lucky to have a guitar master to tutor her on the instrument; he's one of Singapore 60s most reputable bass-guitarist, Henry Chua of The Quests.

Latest: July: 2012

Olivia Ong will sing the 2012 National Day Parade theme song, Love at First Light with 7 year old Chen Hui Yi.  Countdown with Olivia to Singapore's 47th birthday!

Image: Google

Information/ Video: Wikepedia/YouTube/Yahoo
Original Article: Andy Lim.

'Dil Deke Dekho' - Pop Hindustani Song - 1959

SONGS I LOVE:

Dil Deke Dekho is a Hindi movie (1959) shown at the Garrick Theatre in Geylang Serai, Singapore about 50 years ago. I vaguely remember the movie but is familiar with the song and listened to it for days afterwards at a Malay neighbour's home. (It is common knowledge that Indian pop songs influenced the Malay pop yeh-yeh wave of music in the 60s.) And YouTube is a blessing because when I found the song and played it again and again, my wife asked me if I had a new Indian girlfriend!

The music is composed by Usha Khanna in this her first film and the cast includes Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh. These were big names in the 60s and the movie was Nasir Hussain's second film as director and gave star Shammi Kapoor a new image as a comedic, dancing hero. Husain and Kapoor reteamed here. Asha Parekh, a former child actress, made her film debut as a heroine.

It was also the debut film of comedian Rajendranath, brother of Premnath (another 60s Hindi movie screen hero). When the film became a hit at the box office so did the songs. Husain, Kapoor and Parekh would reteam again as his leading lady in five other films.

4 edited comments from You Tube:

Dil Deke Dekho - Dil Deke Dekho Ji - Mohd Rafi. Video by Greg Pelka. Thanks.

1. This film was the first for Usha Khanna. She copied some songs from English and did a tremendous job by giving us these memorable melodies. This song is copied from a song with the lines, "Sugar in the morning, sugar in the evening, sugar at suppertime... (Sugartime - Johnny Cash and also McGuire Sisters Hit in 1958).

2. Dil Deke Dekho means, "Try and give away your heart." He sings, "Try giving your heart, oh the heart snatchers, learn how to give as well... /Ask the mouth how enjoyable it is to burn slowly in love's fire./May you learn to enjoy love's heat as well.../Understand the lover's language,/If there's no love, there's no life/ May you learn how to sing this song as well..."

3. I don't like the acting but the music keeps rock & rolling. The main stuff!

4. Many of these old Hindi film songs are naive and a bit silly. But they are full of light humour and innocent charm that you simply don't find anywhere else now.

Anyone has seen this movie? And the song? It's still spinning in my head. Lovely!

(I have been trying to get a Tamil speaking friend to review some of the older Tamil movie classics and songs that were shown in Singapore but to no avail. Anyone know about Tamil movies or music?)

Info Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dil_Deke_Dekho

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tLsLXVqBQA

Danny Koh: Have Piano Will Travel - Part II

Image: Danny Koh at the piano (2nd left) leading his 15 strong Key-Signatures Orchestra at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Singapore.

When I asked Danny about his recordings, he said he made six albums so far. In terms of television recordings and contributions to our local music scene, he has made numerous appearances and accompanied vocalists on our home screen. He represented Singapore in the first ASEAN Song Festival and won the award.

Always with a giving heart, Danny assisted the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board in Korea and Australia, appeared for charity in aid of Tsunami victims, The Red Cross and the Child Watch Phuket Orphans Society.

In his early years Danny worked as music director for Rediffusion Pte Ltd and was the chief judge for the talentime series on Television Singapore (presently Media Corp, Singapore). He has also worked for 5 cruise ships as Music Director and travelled extensively for 6 years on these ships.

He recollected that it was one of the best times of his life, seeing the world and simultaneously doing what he loved best. He has performed in Sweden, Norway, Holland, Italy, Greece, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and the Philippines.

He has appeared and tinkled his way at the various hotels in Singapore, namely the Raffles, Hilton, Shangri-La, Ritz Carlton, Pan Pacific, Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt, St. Regis, Amara Sanctuary and the Carpella on Sentosa Island.

He is presently doing a CD comprising popular songs he has sung during his 35 years in show business. Danny, with a broad smile on his face, hopes to write a book on the Memoirs Of A Musician before he calls it a day.

Image: Arpeggio Productions Collection.

Singapore Disc Jockey And Compere In The 60s

Old Victorians who have made their names as radio/tv comperes and DJs include the legendary Tan Swee Leong and the late S R S Naidu, popularly known as the Birdman of Singapore. Both were listed in the Who’s Who in Singapore and Malaysia, a publication on prominent personalities.

Singaporeans of the older generation would remember with fondness the great voice and witty presentation of Tan Swee Leong, first on Redifusion and later with RTS and TCS. He is seen in the picture interviewing Indonesian pop songstress Anneke Gronloh at Rediffusion Singapore on 6th December, 1961.

Naidu was omnipresent as a compere at beauty pageants and high profile functions and also one of those instrumental in organising the Victoria Secondary School Carnival in 1968 which was adjudged as one of the best and most popular carnivals hosted by a school then. He was the compere for the talentime contest which was a great success, no doubt boosted by the presence of the Birdman himself.

Anyone out there with a picture of our birdman Mr SRS Naidu? Blogger has a picture of another famous compere, also called SRS Naidu, for exchange? Takers?

Image: National Archives of The Netherlands (National Heritage Board, Singapore)
Edited article from Old Victorian's Association blog, comment by: 1960sVIC on June 10, 2009.

http://blog.ova.org.sg/2009/05/satay-night-reflections/

'American Idol' Plays 60s Music For 9 Seasons

We've had songs by Neil Sedaka, Neil Diamond, Paul McCartney, John Lennon (The Beatles), Elvis Presley and others. Then, next week on 21st April 2010 Sir Elton John (image) will perform live. And for 9 years our 60s icons are still on track and as popular as ever.

If you've guessed it, you would have been following these music greats on American Idol. So, as in Glee, we find songs that we love so much, still being played and sung today on television.

Hound Dog, Blue Suede Shoes, In The Ghetto, A Little Less Conversation, Suspicious Minds, Lawdy Miss Clawdy, Baby What You Want Me To Do, Can't Help Falling In Love were only some of the songs performed on American Idol.

You would love these Elvis classics sung with fresh fervour as the interpretation by each finalist was different and uniquely charming. But the melodies still tug the heartstrings. And again, for blogger, it was a treat to be shared. (This is not an advertisement. They don't need one.)

Blogger is wondering, why our own 60s musicians aren't invited to perform on TV. Ask any youth on our Singapore streets and they will tell you who Elvis Presley or Elton John is. Provide a Singapore 60s band name and they won't blink an eye-lid.

Image from: monikamanchanda.wordpress.com

Information: American Idol Website

Original article: Andy Lim Collection

(B) Gulf War Banned Songs - Must Be The Lyrics

Some of the 60s and 70s songs that were not played on some broadcast stations during the Gulf War:

Jose Felicano - Light My Fire
Abba - Waterloo
Animals - We Got To Get Out Of This Place
Arrival - I Will Survive
Joan Baez - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

.
Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian
The Beatles - Back In The USSR
Eric Clapton - I Shot The Sheriff
Skeeter Davies - End Of The World
Duran Duran - View To A Kill

.
Jose Feliciano - Light My Fire
Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly
John Lennon - Give Peace A Chance
John Lennon - Imagine
Lulu -Boom Bang A Bang

.
Ricky Nelson - Fools Rush In
Donny Osmond -Soldier Of Love
Rod Stewart -Sailing

Obvious sensitivities where the lyrics are concerned. Racial discord, war topics, weaponry, etc. could be issues that would have created controversies amongst those involved in the raging war in the Gulf region. Especially for those where death in the family is involved.

But Walk Like An Egyptian banned? Your views?

Image: google
Information: Wikipedia and other websites.
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10qLYy6hiFQ

Also: http://www.tabootunes.com/gallery.html
Thanks to Steve Farram.

Why Were So Many Songs Banned: 60's n 70's

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21 CHATS, COMMENTS 

Many Singaporeans screamed when the Singapore authorities banned, Puff The Magic Dragon (1963) and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (1967). We think that only this island ban songs over the airwaves. 

It's a myth because below are the titles of 60s and 70s songs that have been banned even in Western countries because of moral, military, religious and political motivations. Even up till today some of these songs have not been played on certain broadcast stations.

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Music censorship is the practice of restricting free access to musical pieces and range from the complete prohibition of the piece to the removal of content when it appears in a certain context. 

There are definitely extremities in lyrics as Yoko Ono's *Open Your Box (1970) proves, but to ban **Tell Laura I Love Her (1960) is questionable.

'Tell Laura' was banned because of the death theme.

So you be the judge:

*"Open your box,/Open your box,/Open your trousers,/Open your thighs,/Open your legs,/Open, open, open, open, oooh./Open, open, open, open,/Open your legs,Open your flies,/Open your ears,/Open your nose,/Open your mouth,/Open, open, open, open, oooh.

Open./Open your cold feet,/Open, open,/Open, open, open, lets open, lets open the cities./Open the cities,/Open, open, open the world,/Open, lets open the world./Open, open, oooh/Open, open, ooh!"

'Tell Laura I Love Her' Partial Lyrics

**"No one knows what happened that day/Or how his car overturned in flames/But as they pulled him from the twisted wreck/With his dying breath, they heard him say/Tell Laura I love her/Tell Laura I need her/Tell Laura not to cry/My love for her will never die..."

The Beatles: Come Together (1969) - product advertising
Rolling Stones: Lets Spend The Night Together (1967) - sex?
Cliff Richard: There's a Honky Tonk Angel Who'll Take Me Back In (1973) 

HT Angel = hooker

Adam Faith: Made You (1960) - sex
Paul McCarney n Wings: Hi Hi Hi (1972) - sex
Donna Summer: Love To Love You (1976) - breaths, groans

Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band: Open Your Box (1970) - obvious
Paul McCartney: Give Ireland Back to the Irish (1972) - obvious
Johnny Horton: Battle of New Orleans (1959) - 'bloody British'

'Charlie Brown' by the Coasters was banned 

because of its hooliganism theme.

Ray Peterson: Tell Laura I Love Her (1960) - death
Mungo Jerry: Have A Whiff On Me (1971) - drugs
Lonnie Donegan: Digging My Potatoes (1971)

The Beatles: A Day In The Life (1967) - drugs
Rolling Stones: Stoned (1964) - drugs
Ten Years After: Good Morning Little Schoolgirl (1969) - sex

The Coasters: Charlie Brown (1959) - hooliganism, spitballs.
The Everly Brothers: Ebony Eyes (1961) - death
The Kinks: Lola (1970) - product advertising

This song was banned because of its death theme.

The Beatles: Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (1967) - drugs
The Four Aces: Stranger In Paradise (1953) - ?
Bobby Darin: Mack The Knife (1928) - gang violence

In certain cases censorship is not permanent and banned songs have been known to be given airplay again. Now you know why the songs Charlie Brown and Ebony Eyes were banned. 

And Stranger In Paradise was not played over the airwaves once upon a time?  Do you know why... Tell us.

Image: google

Information: Wikipedia Songs and various websites.

Original article: Andy Lim

Bengawan Solo And Foreign Songs (Part III)

FOREIGN SONGS BECOME ENGLISH HITS (3):

ITALIAN: Nel blu dipinto di blu, known also as Volare is Domenico Modugno’s signature song. It is the only song ever by an Italian artist to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts. His recording won the Grammy (1958) and is the only foreign-language recording sung entirely in Italian. Written by Modugno himself and Franco Migliacci, it came in third in the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest. But only Dean Martin's version (1958) made its way into the hearts of many Singaporeans. Beats even Bobby Rydell's more upbeat version!

PERUVIAN/ANDEAN: El Cóndor Pasa or Flight of the Condor (1913) is a song by Peruvian composer Daniel Alomía Robles based on traditional Andean folk tunes. It is popular worldwide because it is covered by Simon & Garfunkel in their Bridge Over Troubled Water album (1970). This cover version is called El Condor Pasa (If I Could).

When Simon heard a version called Paso Del Condor by Jorge Milchberg, he personalized it by adding his own English lyrics. They are all listed as songwriters in this version. Perry Como released a cover of Simon's English version on his album It's Impossible. Simon & Garfunkel did release their version as a single in the U.S. and it reached 18 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart.

SPANISH: Singapore guitar groups are familiar with Perfidia (1939), The Ventures classic. It means faithless, treacherous or false and was written by Alberto Domínguez in the 1900s. Aside from the original Spanish, other renditions exist, including an English version by Milton Leeds.

The song became a hit for Xavier Cugat in 1940 and used by Chinese director Wong Kar Wai in some of his movies. Perfidia has been recorded by many artistes as early as the 50s, including Gene Autry, Charlie Parker, Mel Torme, Glenn Miller, Nana Mouskouri, The Shadows, The Ventures, Linda Ronstadt, Nat King Cole, Lawrence Welk, The Four Aces and Perez Prado.

INDONESIAN: Bengawan Solo (1940) in Bahasa Indonesia is by Gesang Martohartono and sung in kroncong style, a popular folk music with influences from the Portuguese. The Japanese, who occupied the country during World War II, brought the song to Japan afterwards. It has become an international hit since.

The song became popular amongst the Chinese community in SE Asia after Malaysian singer Poon Sow Keng recorded it in Mandarin for Hong Kong Pathe (1957). It was further boosted by Ms Koo Mei, who sang her version for Philips Records. Many Chinese language singers have written their own lyrics for the tune, making it one of the greatest classics in S.E. Asia.

The English recording of Bengawan Solo is called, By the River of Love from an early 60s Hong Kong record sung by Rebecca Pan. Sakura Teng and Mona Fong (image) sing it both in Chinese and English. While Teng heats it up, Fong gives it a cha-cha-cha beat!

And so this short journey ends in Asia again. We have come one full circle. If you happen to know of pop songs that have been translated into English, please write in.

Image: You Tube

Information: Wikipedia Songs

Original article: Andy Lim

Dominique, L'amour Est Bleu, Volare (Part II)

FOREIGN SONGS BECOME ENGLISH HITS (3):

ITALIAN:

  O sole mio (1898) or It's Now Or Never by Elvis Presley has also been performed and covered by many artistes, including opera pillars like as Enrico Caruso, Mario Lanza and The Three Tenors, as well as rock and pop artistes like Bryan Adams and Luciano Pavarotti who won a Grammy for his rendition of this operatic piece.

The lyrics were written by Giovanni Capurr, and composed by Eduardo di Capua. Though there are versions in other languages, O sole mio is usually sung in the original Neapolitan language and translates literally as My Sun.

FRENCH: 

Many French songs have been translated into English ones but two hits that blogger remembers are: (1) L'amour est bleu or Love Is Blue (1967), a song composed by André Popp and written by Pierre Cour. Brian Blackburn wrote English language lyrics for it. It was first performed in French by Greek-German singer Vicky Leandros or Vicky.

It has been recorded by many other musicians and French orchestra leader Paul Mauriat's is the best known. Claudine Longet's, Heather and The Diamond Four versions made it a hit with our Singapore listeners.

 (2) Dominique (1963) is another French by Soeur Sourire (Jeanine Deckers) of Belgium, also known as The Singing Nun. It is about Saint Dominic, a Spanish-born priest and founder of the Dominican Order. The English version of the song was written by Noël Regney.

In addition to French and English, Deckers recorded versions in Dutch, German, Hebrew and Japanese. Also, Debbie Reynolds starred in The Singing Nun movie (image) which has an English version of the song. It was the second foreign language song to hit the top of the Hot 100 in 1963, the other being Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto (previous posting).

Another one is Volare or Nel blu di pinto di blu by Domenico Modugno in 1958. No other foreign language song reached the US Billboard Charts until the Spanish language hit Eres tú hit the US charts in 1973.

GERMAN

A children's song in English by Elvis Presley Wooden Heart was actually a German song called, Muss i denn [Must I Then...] and was featured in his movie, G.I. Blues where he sang the chorus in its original language.

Know a foreign song in English? Tell us.

Image: google

Information: Wikipedia Songs

Original article: Andy Lim

Foreign [Asian] Songs Become English Hits [Part I]

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Asian Songs Become English Hits (1): 

It is a well-known fact that countless 60s popular and classical music from foreign countries become English language hits in the UK, US and other parts of the world. This posting will focus on some of these classics. We start in Asia.

Mandarin:

Rose, Rose I Love You is an English adaptation of the Mandarin song, Méigui Méigui Wǒ Ai Ni by Yao Li (1940s), the only song written by a Chinese to become a major English language chart hit.

The English lyrics were written by a British DJ, Wilfred Thomas and recorded by 50s pop singer Frankie Laine and the Norman Luboff Choir, with Paul Weston and his Orchestra in 1951. The song, with different English lyrics, was also covered in the UK by Petula Clark (1951) and by Kyu Sakamoto (1960s).

Japanese:

The second Asian song, Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto went to the top in 1963. So far, this is the only song by a Japanese singer to hit the ceiling in the U.S. The Japanese title is Ue O Muite Aruko, which means I Look Up When I Walk. It is definitely a Singaporean favourite even till today. The Blue Diamonds (Holland) recorded it with English lyrics in 1963 and personally, is one of the best versions!

Filipino:

Another Asian pop classic, the very famous, Anak (1971) or child is a Tagalog song written and sung by Filipino folk-singer Freddie Aguilar. It has been translated to over a hundred local and international languages. The English version, by Aguilar, is a direct translation of the original and should not be missed by anyone who loves a beautiful rendition of an exceptionally sad song.

Image: Google.

Original Article: Andy Lim

Sukiyaki Blue Diamonds

A Happy Easter To All Sing60s Music Fans!

A HAPPY SINGAPORE 60s MUSIC EASTER TO EVERYONE!

Easter Parade - Bing Crosby (by: Irving Berlin 1933)
Movie - Judy Garland, Fred Astaire (1948)

Never saw you look quite so pretty before
Never saw you dressed quite so lovely what's more
I could hardly wait to keep our date this lovely
Easter morning...

And my heart beat fast as I came through the door
For in your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it
You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade
I'll be all in clover and when they look you over
I'll be the proudest fellow in the Easter parade

To the Esplanade we'll go
For the big, big show
The photographers will snap us
And then you'll be seen
In Urban magazine
(Singapore version)

Image: Google

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8AvEczTqe4&feature=related

For April Fool's Day Or Just Fools In Love?

"Everybody plays the fool, sometime There's no exception to the rule Listen, baby, it may be factual, may be cruel I want to tell ya Everybody plays the fool..." (by J.R. Bailey, Rudy Clark, Ken Williams.

The internet is full of articles on April Fool's Day and its origin. It would be interesting to find out more. Yes, it's the big day to-day and below is a list of 60s and 70s songs with the word fool:

Fools Rush In ~ Elvis Presley, A Fool Such As I - Elvis Presley, or The Clovers Fool, Fool, Fool - Elvis Presley Fool - Elvis Presley, Chain Of Fools ~ Aretha Franklin, What A Fool Believes - Doobie Brothers Why Do Fools Fall In Love? ~ Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers

What Kind Of Fool Am I? Sammy Davis Jr/Anthony Newley The Fool On The Hill - The Beatles Won't Get Fooled Again ~ The Who Poor Little Fool - Ricky Nelson April Fool's Day - Marty Robbins April Fools - Nina N Fredrick.

Everybody Plays The Fool - The Manhattans Fool For You - The Impressions A Fool In Love - Ike, Tina Turner Fool #1 - Brenda Lee Foolish Little Girl - Shirelles It Takes A Fool To Learn - The Spinners Everybody's Somebody's Fool - Connie Francis She's A Fool - Lesley Gore I'm A Fool - Dino, Desi, Billy Love's Made A Fool Of You - Bobby Fuller Four

And then there are songs without the 4 letter word but with similar themes: Tears Of A Clown - Smokey Robinson Send In The Clowns - Judy Collins or Barbra Striesand Cathy's Clown - Everly Brothers I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone - The Monkees Cool Jerk - The Capitols

In certain songs the themes of sadness, anger, depression, defiance, distraction and hopelessness reveal themselves in the lyrics. But then could these feelings be more an indication of realisation before wisdom strikes a chord?

Elvis Presley: Fool. 

YouTube Video: maria mountain824

The Everly Brothers: 'Cathy's Clown'.

YouTube Video by: Ko ati.

"I've gotta stand tall,/You know a man can't crawl,/But when he knows you tell lies,/And he hears 'em passin' by,/He's not a man at all. (by: Don & Phil Everly)"

Not much of an April Fool's song posting? Make it funny then. If you remember other songs with a similar theme, please contribute.

1 "Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed." - Mark Twain.

2 "Looking foolish does the spirit good." - John Updike.

Images: Google.

Original article: Andy Lim

Information: Many websites abound.