Bing Crosby - White Christmas (1947)
The best selling single of all time.
This is not the original recording, that was lost to degradation. That was 1942. This was also not the recording from either of the movies this was in: 1942's Holiday Inn or 1954's White Christmas. This was such a popular song that a new recording was necessary because the master had worn out from constant recording.
Recorded with the Trotter Orchestra and the Darby Singers, this version remains the one that every Christmas celebrating individual, as well as anyone who knows any; can sing along with. Crosby's Baritone voice is reassuring, telling us that even though we may be far away from what we love about the holidays, they are still there. This was a particularly poignant theme for the soldiers away from home fighting in WWII. The whistling part has always been one of my favorite moments in a Christmas song, along with the vocal bridge in Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters Jingle Bells. Bing might have whistled the part himself, there's no notes as to who did it, and he was known to be a whistler.
Merry Christmas!
Showing posts with label Ballad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ballad. Show all posts
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
"Back for Good"
Take That - Back for Good (1995)
British Boy Band Wooo! You know I'm loving this.
Released in the last year the group was still a five piece vocal group, before Robbie Williams was kicked out for drug problems/quit the band to start a solo career. This was really the only chart topper the group had in America, but they were a huge success all over the globe. It was written by Gary Barlow, who also provides lead vocals.
Lyrically the song is about the singer, who has done something to run off the listener. The singer doesn't know what it is, but apologizes anyway. As anyone who has ever been in this situation can attest, that never ever works. He begs to be let back into the listener's life, but it is pretty clear that is not going to happen. Musically the song is driven by acoustic guitars, but does have a string section backing and simple drum set. Vocally the group is fine, the harmonies are nice, and the music doesn't cover them up. They all sing very high, there is not a lot of baritone or bass. Around 2:45 it really reminds be of a Bee Gees breakdown. Completely inoffensive pop song.
British Boy Band Wooo! You know I'm loving this.
Released in the last year the group was still a five piece vocal group, before Robbie Williams was kicked out for drug problems/quit the band to start a solo career. This was really the only chart topper the group had in America, but they were a huge success all over the globe. It was written by Gary Barlow, who also provides lead vocals.
Lyrically the song is about the singer, who has done something to run off the listener. The singer doesn't know what it is, but apologizes anyway. As anyone who has ever been in this situation can attest, that never ever works. He begs to be let back into the listener's life, but it is pretty clear that is not going to happen. Musically the song is driven by acoustic guitars, but does have a string section backing and simple drum set. Vocally the group is fine, the harmonies are nice, and the music doesn't cover them up. They all sing very high, there is not a lot of baritone or bass. Around 2:45 it really reminds be of a Bee Gees breakdown. Completely inoffensive pop song.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
"Lonesome Town"
Ricky Nelson - Lonesome Town (1958)
I knew this song before Pulp Fiction, but I'm too cool to want credit for it.
This is just a simple haunting melody, depressing lyrics, really subtle backing vocals and one acoustic guitar. Such simple production. Gives it a Western feel. The ballad is sung in a minor key, and the lyrics really bring the sad. The backing vocals are just wordless chords that sound like train whistles, or echoing of the end of verses down 2 octaves. Listening to the version of this song from The Ozzie and Harriet Show really shows you what the backing vocals add; it was performed by just Ricky and his guitar. He still sounds good, but it's a little thin, just a guy and a guitar, but you add those backing singers and suddenly it's a really powerful ballad that can evoke the late 50's, or just the feeling of hopelessness you get when the love you've built a dream on comes up short.
I knew this song before Pulp Fiction, but I'm too cool to want credit for it.
This is just a simple haunting melody, depressing lyrics, really subtle backing vocals and one acoustic guitar. Such simple production. Gives it a Western feel. The ballad is sung in a minor key, and the lyrics really bring the sad. The backing vocals are just wordless chords that sound like train whistles, or echoing of the end of verses down 2 octaves. Listening to the version of this song from The Ozzie and Harriet Show really shows you what the backing vocals add; it was performed by just Ricky and his guitar. He still sounds good, but it's a little thin, just a guy and a guitar, but you add those backing singers and suddenly it's a really powerful ballad that can evoke the late 50's, or just the feeling of hopelessness you get when the love you've built a dream on comes up short.
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