Andy 60s Music Lyrics: Lonely Hearts, Lonely Days, Lonely Boy, Solitary Man, Eleanor Rigby, Are You Lonesome?

Discussing Loneliness:

The lyrics that go with many of these songs about loneliness could make the happiest person very depressed. So, let's look at the topic, within limited borders, and some of the pop songs that go with it. I'm no psychiatrist but writing only through the experiences of pop song lyrics.

Loneliness And Lost Love:

This one is, I think, the most common experience of loneliness any person could go through. So, when Singaporeans Fitzgerald and Pascal composed their huge local hit, 'My Lonely Heart' and expressed, ‘Please return my heart so I may cry... Every night I pray... to meet you someday,' lovers connect with the song immediately. But in this particular instance the conclusion says it all, ‘I know it's true, I won't be seeing you.' 

The lovers know that all's lost with no light in the distance. Like Georgia Gibbs, with her 50’s hit, was right when she sobbed, 'Guess it never pays to make your lover blue, Seven lonely days I cried and cried for you.' Lost love indeed.

Loneliness With Hope:

Here the theme takes a turn. 

There could be some hope couldn't there, after a lost love. 

'Maybe tomorrow a new romance, No more sorrow but that's the chance you gotta take,' brought about these lines that most people in break-ups often expressed and where most songs about loneliness derived. Roy Orbison made it huge with, 'Only The Lonely,' and with some clues of a new beginning. So, they might not be, 'gone forever, so far apart.'

Paul Anka is totally devastated as he cries, 'I'm just a lonely boy, Lonely and blue... I'd like to hear somebody say, I'll give you my love, Each night and day.' So it's not a breakup here. He has no partner  to love because what he wants, 'is someone to love.' So there’s hope but with some desperation?

No war here; just an illustrative image to show a soldier boy with a suitable wartime background?

Loneliness As A Soldier:

Two wars [one?] are going on today and many people, including soldiers, have lost their lives. Many of them, who are away from home, experience loneliness on the battlefield.

In a 60s hit, Bobby Vinton lamented, 'I'm so lonely for my own, I'm Mister Lonely, Wish I had somebody to call my own... to call on the phone... Now I'm a soldier, a lonely soldier. I got no letter in the mail. I wish I could go back home.' 

His experience as a soldier boy in the 60s rang true as the Vietnam War loomed in the distance. And our wars? Could we afford some more? Because war goes beyond loneliness...

Loneliness When Old:

'Ah look at all the lonely people, Picks up the rice in the church where the wedding has been, Lives in a dream... Then there's Father McKenzie, writing the words of a sermon that no one would hear.' How observant were Lennon and McCartney when they sang, 'Eleanor Rigby.’ 

'All the lonely people, where do they all come from?'

Most seniors who read this post know what loneliness mean. Health problems; spousal death; non-visiting children; friendlessness, etc. would lead to a nasty list. And like a friend mentioned, "Even Mother Earth rejects you!"

"Are you lonesome tonight?" No, not only tonight... it's, "Are you lonesome always?"

Hey, but what about Michael Jackson's, 'You Are Not Alone.'

General comments are welcome. 

A 1926 song, Elvis recorded it in 1960 after his

army release. 2,000,000 copies sold by 1992.

Recorded in 1962, Vinton wrote it in the late 50s 

during his army days as the Vietnam War escalates.

Bobby Vinton: Mr. Lonely. YouTube Video by: Diana N

Written in 1958 and released in 1959 with Don Costa,

after 'Diana' hit. It was featured in his movie, 'Girls Town'.

'Eleanor Rigby' [lyrics]: The Beatles. YouTube Video from BTA MUSIC.

The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby (Lyrics)

“There goes my baby, There goes my heart, They are gone forever, So far apart, But only the lonely, Know why I cry.”

“Don't know that I will, But until I can find me, The girl who'll stay, And won't play games behind me, I'll be what I am, A solitary man, solitary man”

“Seven lonely days make one lonely week, Seven lonely nights make one lonely me, Ever since the time you told me we were true, Seven lonely days I cry and cry for you.” 

'My Lonely Heart', a local recording; this vinyl piece was a sell-out in the 60's. One of the classics in Singapore's music history.

#An add on: The lyrics hinges on the fact that distancing oneself from the ordinary may lead to a lonely existence. There is also another interpretation, as explained by Cedric Collars, provided under the Comment Page. Do read it. 

Frank Sinatra sings “I will drink the wine." YouTube video by: Amir.

Frank Sinatra I Will Drink the Wine 1971 HD

[This original article, as most others are, is copyrighted.]

Tan Soo Khoon - Former MP & Speaker of the House, Pop Singer

Tan Soo Khoon has the crowd 

mesmerised when he performs.

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Tan Soo Khoon's eyes light up when you talk to him about three subjects, and they all begin with the letter P.  Seriously, he'll chat with you in earnest about Politics. And he's well-versed with the topic. That's the first P.

He is the only person in Singapore who can face the microphone in a large hall and engage himself as a Speaker. With his robe and wig on, he's on higher ground than any Minister. Now that's something because Soo Khoon [SK] used to be an elected  Parliamentarian in Singapore and the Speaker of the House. That's the second P. 

Since this blog is about local music, can you guess his third favourite topic that starts with P ?

Guess it. Because when he appears in front of the microphone this time, he doesn't speak but sing his favourite hits with charm and ease. You've never heard a sexier, ''Uh, huh, huh...'' before. Yes, his body quivers when he sings Elvis and strums his guitar. Presley it is, the third P.

SK is such a busy person so it took me a while to chat with him on WhatsApp getting details about his singing, love for pop music and answering some questions. When he finally relented and had some time to relate his music journey, I thought it most appropriate to post it during National Day - Singaporeans' special day, about a very special person.

And don't skip his story below; he's got two beautiful ladies to accompany him on the keyboard. Find out who they are.

Thanks SK for the first ever love story on this blog about an MP and his music.

 

Chatting with former Speaker Tan Soo Khoon on his music journey:

"We started playing as a band sometime in the mid 1990’s. I  self-taught myself guitar strumming when I was in school but laid it off while in university and when I started working. In the 1970’s a good friend of mine, Noor Quek (who herself is an accomplished singer and keyboardist) would occasionally get together with me to jam, and then that was it. 

We got together again and started playing as a band sometime in the mid 1990’s. The earliest members were my old ACS Primary One classmates. Eric Tiong (drums), Ronnie Teo (lead guitar), Sim Kheng Chin (Bass) and we called ourselves The Young Once. 

Over the years, the band has evolved with different musicians including Henry Chua, Franklin Wong, Tony Kwek, David Loh ,Ted Ha,  David Chua, Andrea Teo, Benson Goh, Eunice Olsen, Arthur Lim, Arshad Hamid, Archie Ong. These are all good musicians who have helped us tighten our rendition of many songs.

 

I want to add that we all get together just for the fun of it. Our love of music is the bond that keeps us together and strengthens our friendship over the years.

The first time we played together as a band was at a charity event at the Ritz Carlton some time in 1998. We  play at charity events and some of the venues we have played at include hotels like The Mandarin, Shangrila, Hilton, Marriott, Concord, Orchard, Regent and The Four Seasons as well as the Esplanade Recital Studio.

Beside Elvis, being my favourite singer, I enjoy the music and songs of Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Ricky Nelson, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Trini Lopez, Glen Campbell, Beach Boys, Everly Brothers, The Drifters, The Platters, Tony Orlando & Dawn,  John Fogerty & CCR, The Eagles,  Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Martina McBride, Anne Murray.''

When I asked SK if he had attended concerts of international pop stars, he replied that he had seen some of them. With much persuasion he mentioned, Cliff Richard & The Shadows , The Blue Diamonds, Anneke Gronloh, Helen Shapiro, The Drifters, The Platters,  The Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Tony Orlando, Engelbert Humperdinck, Michael Jackson, Skeeter Davis, Pat Boone, Frances Yip, were some of those he had seen perform ‘live’ [some images below].   

''Oh, I left out Paul Anka among the artistes and enjoyed listening to him too. Then there's Tom Jones and the Righteous Brothers. I always wanted to see Elvis perform . I would have loved to go to Hawaii or Las Vegas to see his concerts but in those days,  I didn’t have the money to fly that far!'' 

Live Concerts that Soo Khoon had attended 

Skeeter Davis, Engelbert Humperdinck, 

Anneke Gronloh, Michael Jackson

Soo Khoon has become so well-known among the pop stars mentioned, he has even appeared as a duet with the late Riem De Wolff [images below], younger brother of Rudy, both known as the Blue Diamonds, international stars from Holland/Indonesia.

I mentioned that former DPM Tharman wrote an article about why he likes Shirley Nair’s singing, so I asked his opinion about our Singapore band boys and girls from our Golden Age of music in the 60s.

''We have good local bands and musicians that I enjoy watching over the years, The Quests, Andy and The Silver Strings, Veronica Young, Vernon Cornelius, October Cherries, Zul Sutan & Tania, The Checkmates, The Dukes, The Mysterians, The Thunderbirds, Matthew and The Mandarins, The Tornados, Stephen Francis, Danny Koh, Jeremy Monterio, Tony, Spencer and Terry are some of the great local entertainers I have watched over the years. Many of them are still rocking away!''

And that's true with SK also. He used to, ''shake the House in Parliament'' with his fiery speeches.  Now he shakes, rattles and rolls at the places where he performs and sings Elvis or other pop hits.

There's  much more to learn about Soo Khoon and his music, the guitars he uses, the fully-equipped sound studio at his home and what he does for charities. But that's another tale to tell.

Thanks SK for sharing a part of your life with us.

Read the comments below. Do write in to provide yours too.

A Happy National Day 2021 to everyone. 

[Article and images belong to Tan Soo Khoon; Google.]

 

Singing as a duet with the late 

Riem de Wolff [Blue Diamonds] 

at local charities and performances.

Elvis, Beatles, M. Jackson: Mask, Wash Hands, Come Together? Mother Earth Retaliates!

A long time ago, MJ wore a mask, the Beatles self distanced and Elvis believed in the clean hands habit. You may ask why. Here's a theory.

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Michael Jackson, The Beatles and Elvis Presley apparently were well aware of the Corona Virus pandemic years before it happened?

The pictures show the Beatles practise self-distancing measures when walking, during their Abbey Road recordings; Elvis was always keeping his hands clean, metaphorically and literally, as his song explains. In fact Jackson predicted that there would be a major outbreak of a virus he thought would occur from way back in the early nineties. 

Jackson had reasons for the mask. He was always worried about getting sick and concerned for both himself and his fans, their crowding him during his appearances, etc. 

His genuine love for Mother nature had him recording, 'Heal the World' and 'Earth Song', powerfully presented on video-clips. Many fans love these two hits but how many heeded the message?

Treated carelessly and so wantonly, Nature hit back in retaliation with a force so great we see 14 million helplessly sick individuals (July 2020), suffering the consequences of Covid today. Currently more than half a million people are dead! And bodies are still falling.

Elvis' song was a warning by a father to his son about being tracked by bloodhounds and imprisoned because the father didn't "keep his hands cleaned". Today we know what "bloodhounds" mean. The virus comes after you and envelopes your insides if you washed your hands in muddy water. So don't "fall in with bad companions".  

"Come Together", an Abbey Road track gives the opposite advice. We shouldn't, should we, come together during these unseemly times? A song meant for a presidential campaign ended up so unique and different. But it became a hit and one of the first few songs I learnt a long time ago.

When you get cooped up too much at home, this blog post is what you finally try to get away with. 

Keep well guys.

Come Together: The Beatles. Thanks to the artist too for creating such imaginative and beautiful live caricatures of the four lads from England. I cannot imagine how it's done but I hope the creator will allow me to share it with my readers. 60 million views! Wow! 

[Copyrighted 2015 Calderstone Productions Limited (Universal Music Group/Apple Films Ltd.)]

Truly one of Elvis' most fantastic songs ever recorded. Not many of his fans know this song because when I asked around, there was silence. It's everything Elvis.

I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water: Elvis Presley.

VIDEO BY: Y.D. ENTJES.

One of his most prized video-clips ever recorded was 'The Earth Song'.

You can watch it full blast if you haven't but view it to the end. 

260 million views to date.

Thanks to the people who loaded these pictures and videos without whom this posting could never have been possible.  If copyrights have been infringed, please write in under Comments below  and pix/videos will be deleted.

Of Covid-19, China, Europe, U.S. & Pop Music Decadence

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My blog is not a political boxing ring and never will be but when a good friend writes so convincingly to defend a strong belief, which includes music artistes from the 60's and 70's, I have no option but to publish this very short paper, with the writer's permission of course. Andy.

When A Civilisation Declines Everything Declines

This Covid-19 has revealed how efficient China has become and conversely how lax and inefficient the West has become. The Westerners are now at the final stage of  their decline - same as Rome was around the 4th Century when St Augustine was bishop in a town in North Africa. 

What a pity. They are losing their influence, power and culture, everything European. Pity, their music is so rich and beautiful (not American music, especially their pop songs and dance by people like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and others).  Our descendants may not be able to appreciate the classical music that we are privileged to enjoy.

Andy, I am not condemning all things American or all their music and dances. Some of them are just plain vulgar. I mean just listen to the music of the last few decades.  There were many artistes, composers especially in the first half of the last century - composers like Romberg, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lowe and Lerner, etc.

If I have written biased, sweeping statements that offended you or are contradictory to your favourite singers, music, please accept my apologies. When a civilization declines everything declines.  This is my first and last experience of witnessing the signs of a decadent civilization.  

I remember you once told me that America is 'plastic' while Europe is not. You were so right. In the last century America made so much progress in science and technology and medicine. However many of the people who made this possible were Jews and Europeans. The great Irvin Berlin was a Russian immigrant. Romberg studied music in Vienna and was from there. 

Sometimes I think that if I had been educated and raised in China I would have had learnt and be able to appreciate Chinese poetry, music. But I might not have become Catholic - the most important thing in my life.  Of course I would have suffered terribly the evils of communism under Mao and the terrible Cultural Revolution.  Sadly, China will one day also decline like the West but unlike the West the Chinese civilization has remained intact after going though so many dynasties and systems of government.

My mentor, a French priest who spent 18 years in China, told me that it was the family that helped the Chinese to remain intact. In the midst of the present prosperity, I don't know whether they can preserve the family as Confucius so wisely taught the Chinese to preserve because if the family is destroyed the civilization will be destroyed. This has happened in the West.

The Catholic church has taught the same thing. Although many Catholics divorced, the Church has stood firm on the indissolubility of marriage. I think it's very wise. This is God's law, not a man-made law.

Sorry for boring you. Thanks for reading the rambling of an old man, Andy.

We welcome comments from readers.

(The writer wishes to remain anonymous but I'd like to thank the person for  views and ideals presented so truthfully and sincerely.)

Images: Google (1/2) China/US flags (3) Bernhard Romberg (4) Michael Jackson; (5) Confucius (6) Irving Berlin. 

A Canadian Halloween Thriller Of 80's Songs

                                
My fun Halloween posting for 2016:💀👺👹👾👿

In the mid 1980's when I first went to Canada, it was right smack into a cold September in Winnipeg. Worse, I had my land-lady who insisted I paid her rent exactly at the end of each month, in cash.

When I forgot in the second month,  she waited for me at the foot of the staircase and warned me she would switch off my heater if I didn't settle. 

Stalked in the forest, too close to hide
I'll be upon you by the moonlight side (1)

She kept her word and I was left shivering for two cold nights in the attic where I lived until I paid up. But quick justice brought everything to normal when I was advised to report her to the local Rentalsman office in Manitoba. 

"Such a WITCH." my Canadian friend told me. Which brings me to this theme posting, because after settling down to my daily routine, the great evening came on 31st October 1984. I had my first bloody scare and grim tale of encounters with witches, goblins, creepy clowns and the living dead (pix to prove below). 

If there's something strange
In your neighbourhood
Who you're gonna call? 
Ghost busters (2)

I forgot the date as it was Halloween night and my young native Canadian neighbours surrounded me with, "Tricks or treat!" Growlings and haunting screams followed. 

I was on my way to a night class for Prof. Perry Nodelman's Children's Literature on a Wednesday evening. Luckily my same Canadian friend prepared me with packets of sweets, chocolates and goodies in my backpack.

Cause this is thriller, thriller night
And no one's gonna save you 
From the beast about to strike (3) 

There were smiles all round as I shouted, "Treats!" The growls and screams stopped as I dished out the sweets. Goodness my first ever experience of Halloween. And it was a cold, cold night, if you notice the pictures. But it was a fun night. I managed to find my way to class after clearance from the ghouls. 

But on the way back to the house, after hearing of the goodies I gave out earlier, another bunch of Halloween haunters came after me. This time there was even a Michael Jackson Thriller guy.  Their whispered password?

"It's Andy with the sun-glasses! Get him!"

Burning the ground I break from the crowd
I'm on the hunt down I'm after you... (1)

We ran all the way to the nearest McDonald's where I had to buy hamburgers, fries and Coke for the group. I had no more sweets but it wasn't against tradition to buy these boys a meal.  Believe me. It was my only experience with Halloween horrors in my life, even up till today. But I really wouldn't mind another one.

You should try drinking ice-cold Coke on a bitterly chilly night in Winnipeg. Brr.
Yes. No wonder year-end months are Septem-berr, Octo-berr, Novem-berr and Decem-berr.

Halloween 2016, here I come again. 

                            Ray Parker Jr. Ghost Busters from VEVO

If you want a Halloween treat write to me on the Comment page and I shall provide you with some sweets and chocolates. That's a promise!

(My elder son introduced Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran when I was still in Singapore. Songs like these were heard everywhere in Canada in the mid-eighties. Never forgot them.)

Other 80's songs that could fit in this category are:
Scary Monsters - David Bowie (1980)
Ghost Town - The Specials (1981)
Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics (1983)
Creatures of the Night - KISS (1985)

Images: Google and a Private Collection.
You Tube Videos: VEVO.

Lyrics:  
(1) Hungry Like The Wolf - Duran Duran (1982).
(2) Ghost Busters - Ray Parker Jr (1984).
(3) Thriller - Michael Jackson (1982).    

Donald Trump's Pop Music: Rolling Stone Magazine

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LATEST NEWS FLASH [5.11.24]: 

DONALD TRUMP HAS WON THE PRESIDENCY OF THE U.S. FOR THE 2ND TIME AS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED ON THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER, 2024.

PM LAWRENCE WONG [6/11/24]:

PM WONG CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND SAYS SINGAPORE IS READY TO WORK WITH NEW ADMINISTRATION.

Posted on 5th July, 2016:

When I am not blogging it's CNN on HD for me. Fox News comes in the way only if the news pieces are interesting enough, otherwise the non HD channel has images so hazy and blurred from the Singapore telecast that I'd rather not watch the programmes on 702.  In fact watching the goggle box these days is near impossible without High Definition. I am spoilt.

So what do I watch on these channels. The big man on the small screen these days is The Donald. Watching Donald Trump on television has become second nature these past few months. I find him an enigma. Love him or hate him, the Trump is on the *POTUS campaign trail and I was following his Race for the White House. Since I am no #politikus, I would not like to discuss the subject on this blog , so this posting is just about the kind of music Mr Trump appreciates. Nothing more.

When I found him on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine on a You Tube video, it featured a taped interview about his favourite pop artistes. Being a television celebrity himself, Trump has many top gun friends that he mentions on the video.

According to his brief chat, Trump has been reading Rolling Stone for a long time and respects the talent of the Beatles, Elton John and other pop singers. He has many friends in the popular music field and mentions Aerosmith with Steven Tyler as people he appreciates. He is a big fan of the group and noticed that Tyler attended one of his debates recently.

Another fan of his is Bon Jovi and acknowledges the famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti. Another mega star that he used to keep in touch with was Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009). According to Trump, the singer who had passed away used to live at Trump Towers and the billionaire believes that MJ lost confidence in himself for different reasons.  

Paul McCartney, according to Trump, is another star he knows. McCartney is often seen in New York City and feels that the former Beatle is a terrific guy. Trump has also spoken well of Neil Young saying that the singer's voice is, perfect and haunting.  

Young's song, Rocking In The Free World (1989) was used by Trump in his presidential candidacy announcement.  Trump also used The Rolling Stones, Brown Sugar (1971) and Twisted Sister's, We're Not Gonna Take It (1984) during his rallies.  Apparently he is familiar with the members of these groups although they took objection to his using these songs. 

The billionaire has been attending Broadway shows often, mentioning that the place is one of the great things about New York. Going to Broadway is one of his reliefs since he was himself in a tough business.

Two of Trump's favourite musicals are, Chicago (1975)  and Evita (1976). He has seen the Andrew Lloyd and Tim Rice extravaganza Evita at least six times and said the show was riveting. Don't Cry For Me Argentina, a truly beautiful composition, gripped the musical world when Elaine Paige sang it. Madonna came on with a movie version and the song has been covered by multiple artistes.

Trump loved the darkly cynical musical, Chicago too. The hit became a 2002 Oscar winning movie that starred, Richard Gere, Renee Zelwegger and Catherine Zeta Jones. 

I found this musical entertaining and gripping. It is the second longest running show in Broadway today. My favourite piece is, All That Jazz.

"Wall Street may be tough but the theatre business is tougher.  Making it to Broadway is no easy feat," said Donald Trump.

But even in show biz the real estate mogul has no problem.  In Los Angeles, this side of the US, The Donald has a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in L.A. and it shines the brightest  among the thousands of stars on the well-renowned walk area. In fact his has become a major tourist attraction.

Some of his fans, who frequent the area near the Chinese Theatre, remarked that it was sometimes decorated with graffiti, "They either love it, or they hate it." 

^Come on babe, we're gonna brush the sky
I bet you Lucky Lindy never flew so high
Cause in the stratosphere
How could he lend an ear
To all that jazz...

So what do you say dear readers?

NB:

*POTUS: President Of The United States
#An Indonesian term for a political being.
^Lyrics/Music: All That Jazz: John Kander/Fred Ebb.

Images and interview taken from You Tube: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhw69ihw4nk

http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/1348184/donald-trumps-favorite-musicals-evita-and-chicago-naturally

Latest:  20th July 2016.

1) Donald Trump told by pop group Queen member Brian May not to use their song, We Are The Champions, for his Presidential campaigns.

2) Donald Trump won the Republican nomination for the next POTUS candidacy and knocked down how many contenders on the way?

Latest: 6th November, 2016.

Donald Trump was suddenly taken off the stage for security reasons. Secret Service agents took a suspect away from the floor.

'This Is It' By Michael Jackson Is Paul Anka Song

60s music personalities are still making headlines in the media today. This Is It, the Michael Jackson song that was released on Monday, October 12th, 2009, after Jackson's death was co-written by Canadian singer/songwriter Paul Anka. After This Is It began streaming online there was much controversy amongst listeners and fans.

Music experts were able to spot similarities between the track and one recorded nearly 20 years ago. On Monday afternoon Anka told The New York Times that he had written the song with MJ in 1983. Anka complained that he had not been contacted about using the song and was not given proper credit for it. He was later promised to be given credit and paid 50% of all profits.

Images: Google.

Michael Jackson - The King Of Pops 1958 - 2009

We would all love to remember Michael Jackson when he was at his best, with his music, songs, dance, style and stage presence.

"Ben, most people would turn you away/I don't listen to a word they say/They don't see you as I do/I wish they would try to/I'm sure they'd think again/If they had a friend like Ben..."

But when he composed, produced and sang Thriller, the new Michael Jackson shook the world with his ability to bring the dead to life again. Here was an entity we had never met or seen before. Bigger than Elvis Presley during his time, MJ kept the world in a spin as he spun with it.

Then the tragedy.