Latest Love Songs
Sukiyaki (上を向いて歩こう) - Kyu Sakamoto( 坂本九)
Posted by SongBird
on
Saturday, December 5, 2009
, under
60's,
Heartbreak,
J-pop,
Japanese,
Kyu Sakamoto
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Sukiyaki is one the great oldies love songs of the 60s by Kyu Sakamoto.
In 1961 Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto released Ue O Muite Arukou (上を向いて歩こう ) which translate to "I Shall Walk Looking Up".
A British Record Company(Pye Records) executive heard it in Japan. He renamed it "Sukiyaki," after a Japanese food he enjoyed, and had an artist on his label record it. Sukiyaki was short and easy to say.
Disk jockey in Washington state heard the British version, and started playing the original by Kyu Sakamoto. The title remained "Sukiyaki," even though it had nothing to do with the song.
In 1963, the oldies love song, Sukiyaki, hit the top of the charts #1, in the United States, the only song sung in Japanese ever to do so.
The literal meaning of sukiyaki (すき焼き) is "grilling (yaki) on a plowshare (suki),” referring to the time when meat was grilled outdoors in deference to Buddhist customs.
The lyrics is written by Rokusuke Ei, who is said to have written this touching evocation of loneliness after his heart was broken by the actress Meiko Nakamura. The melody is composed by Hachidai Nakamura.
The lyrics and words, tell the story of a man who looks up while he is walking so that his tears won't fall.
The meaning behind the song relates to the moment he has just gives up and released something important where there is no affection anymore. A sort of dry feeling with tears for company. The verses of the love song describe him remembering the good times he shared with his lover from each season of the year but now, love has deserted him and he is alone and sad.
The song's earnestness and melodic beauty proved irresistible. Sound is very simple, up tempo and light. It is a lovely and catchy whistling song.
The Lyrics and Words - Sukiyaki
Looking up while walking
Ue wo muite arukou
上を向いて歩こう
So the tears won't fall
Namida ga koborenai youni
涙がこぼれないように
Remebering those spring days
Omoidasu haru no hi
思い出す春の日
All alone at night
Hitoribocchi no yoru
一人ぼっちの夜
Looking up while walking
Ue wo muite arukou
上を向いて歩こう
And counting the scattered stars
Nijinda hoshi wo kazoete
にじんだ星をかぞえて
Remembering those summer days
Omoidasu natsu no hi
思い出す夏の日
All alone at night
Hitoribocchi no yoru
一人ぼっちの夜
Happiness lies above the clouds
Shiawase wa kumo no ue ni
幸せは雲の上に
Happiness lies above the sky
Shiawase wa sora no ue ni
幸せは空の上に
Looking up while walking
Ue wo muite arukou
上を向いて歩こう
So the tears won't fall
Namida ga koborenai youni
涙がこぼれないように
Keep walking on, while crying
Naki nagara aruku
泣きながら歩く
It's a lonely night
Hitoribocchi no yoru
一人ぼっちの夜
Omoidasu aki no hi
Remembering those autumn days
思い出す秋の日
Sadness is in the shadow of the stars
Kanashimi wa hoshi no kage ni
悲しみは星の影に
Sadness is in the shadow of the moon
Kanashimi wa tsuki no kage ni
悲しみは月の影に
Looking up while walking
Ue wo muite arukou
上を向いて歩こう
So the tears won't fall
Namida ga koborenai youni
涙がこぼれないように
Keep walking on, while crying
Naki nagara aruku
泣きながら歩く
It's a lonely night
Hitoribocchi no yoru
一人ぼっちの夜
It's a lonely night
Hitoribocchi no yoru
一人ぼっちの夜
Sadly and prematurely, 43-year-old Kyu Sakamoto was killed on 12 August 1985, when JAL Flight 123, a 747 bound from Haneda Airport in Tokyo to Osaka, lost pieces of its tail sections and spiraled downward nightmarishly for 30 minutes . The plane crashed and burned on a thickly wooded mountain about 60 miles northwest of Tokyo, killing 520 and injuring four, in the worst single airplane disaster in aviation history.
The passengers on board knew the plane was going to crash and some, including Sakamoto, wrote farewell letters to their loved ones.
This beautifully sad oldies love song, will always be known as Kyu Sakamoto's signature song and many have commented on what a happy person he seemed to be. Another of life’s ironies. His nicknamed is Kyu-chan (an affectionate diminutive), for his sincerity and charming smile.
On March 16, 1999, Japan Post issued a stamp commemorating this song. The stamp is listed in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue as Japan number 2666 with a face value of 50 yen.
Sukiyaki is the first blog posting for this month, in honor of his birthday on December 10.
Enjoy this video from YouTube, where Kyu Sakamoto plays the part of a working young man who is stuck in a drudgery job, and has now lost his great love on top of it, hence a perfect setting for his song of despair with a smile to the world . . . . . .?
Sometimes When We Touch - Dan Hill
It was also released as a single in 1977 and become Dan Hill's biggest hit, peaking at #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. He did a new version as a duet for his album "Greatest Hits And More" in 1993 with a woman named Rique Franks.
Sometimes When We Touch is probably one of the most misunderstood songs of all time. Many people thought it was a romantic, girlie song but if you sat down and really listened to it and understand the lyrics and words and meaning behind the song, be prepare for a shift of perspective! And to think of how many people actually played this song at their wedding!
This oldies love song is about a man(or woman) struggling with his feelings for a woman. He faced a moral battle between his heart and his mind.He has deep, truthful and hidden love that wants to be shared, felt and received. On one hand, he wants to say he loves her but he knows that will only hurt her because he would be lying. At times he thinks they can be just friends but when they are close the romantic feeling flares again. He is afraid but yet he wish to be with her forever.
The love song meaning is bitter and pain but it's gentle and honest.
Lyrics and Words
And I choke on my reply
I'd rather hurt you honestly
Than mislead you with a lie
And who am I to judge you
On what you say or do?
I'm only just beginning to see the real you
The honesty's too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you til I die
Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you till the fear in me subsides
Leaves me battling with my pride
But through the insecurity
Some tenderness survives
I'm just another writer
Still trapped within my truth
A hesitant prize fighter
Still trapped within my youth
And sometimes when we touch
The honesty's too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you til I die
Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you till the fear in me subsides
At times I'd like to break you
And drive you to your knees
At times I'd like to break through
And hold you endlessly
And I know how hard you've tried
I've watched while love commands you
And I've watched love pass you by
At times I think we're drifters
Still searching for a friend
A brother or a sister
But then the passion flares again
A brother or a sister
But then the passion flares again
When you are in love............
is letting go easy?And sometimes when we touch
The honesty's too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you til I die
Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you till the fear in me subsides
Credits: Dan Hill (Songwriter); Mann, Barry (Songwriter); SONY/ATV SONGS LLC (Publisher); SONY/ATV TUNES LLC (Publisher)
Singers who have done covered version of the oldies love song Sometimes When We Touch
Singers who have done covered version of the oldies love song Sometimes When We Touch
- Tina Turner in 1978 on her album Rough
- UK dance singer Newton also took the song into the top 40 in the UK (peaking at #32 in February 1996) and to #5 in Australia, also in 1996. Newton's version went gold in Australia.
- British singer Rod Stewart has also recorded this song, on the 1996 album If We Fall in Love Tonight.
- There is also a version recorded in 1980 by Cleo Laine and James Galway.
- Tammy Wynette covered the song in 1985 with country-pop singer Mark Gray. Their duet version peaked #6 on the country singles charts in 1985.
- The ska band Five Iron Frenzy also did a cover of this song as part of a "Medley" during their farewell tour in 2004.
- Veteran British entertainer Tommy Steele recorded this on his 'Family Album'.
- Bonnie Tyler on her album Lost In France-The Early Years.
- Olivia Ong in 2007 on her album Fall In Love With Olivia.
- Duet by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton on the album Back For You
Movie
- Moment by Moment, 1978
- Superstar 1999
- Bubble Boy 2001 and Long Life Happiness & Prosperity 2002
- On an episode of DeGrassi High: The Next Generation.
Duet by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
The melodious voice of Olivia Ong and her bossa nova rendition of Sometimes When We Touch
Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley
Posted by SongBird
on
Sunday, November 1, 2009
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Love Me Tender is an oldies love song sung by Elvis Presley, in the movie, Love Me Tender. Elvis had just a small role in the movie, but during filming it became apparent that he was a really big deal, and his role was expanded to take advantage of his stardom.
His character is killed at the end of the movie. This was Presley's only movie that he died in, but Elvis re-appears to reprise the song.
The music is based on a 1861 Classical piece called "Aura Lee"(or "AuraLea"),, a sentimental Civil War ballad with music by George R. Poulton and lyrics and words by W.W. Fosdick. "Aura Lee" is a Civil War song that later became popular with college glee clubs and barbershop quartets. It was also sung at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.
The Love Me Tender song is credited to Presley and Vera Matson because of the publishing agreement reached for the assignment of royalties, but the principal writer of the lyrics and words was Ken Darby (Matson's husband).
The Love Me Tender song is credited to Presley and Vera Matson because of the publishing agreement reached for the assignment of royalties, but the principal writer of the lyrics and words was Ken Darby (Matson's husband).
Presley performed "Love Me Tender" on the The Ed Sullivan Show 9 September 1956, shortly before the single's release and about a month before the movie, Love Me Tender, was released, for which the song was originally recorded. This was released as a single in September 1956. It didn't appear on an album until March 1958, when it was included on Elvis' Golden Records.
RCA received 1 million advance orders for the song, making it a gold record before it was even released. The studio, 20th Century Fox, originally wanted to call the movie "The Reno Brothers" but instead re-titled it to "Love Me Tender" to capitalize on the song's popularity.
In 1956, this replaced "Don't Be Cruel/Hound Dog" on the Billboard chart, making Elvis Presley the first artist to replace himself in the #1 position. This occurrence marked two important events in Billboard history. During this time, Elvis accomplished another record at the time; the longest consecutive stay at number one by a single artist, sixteen weeks.
This was also a hit for Richard Chamberlain in 1962 and Percy Sledge in 1967.
Linda Ronstadt covered this in 1978. US Radio stations edited her version together with Elvis' original, creating a duet. This version became very popular, but was never released as a single or available for sale.
Many singers have since cover this evergreen timeless love song. A list of which is available in wikiepedia.
When this song was played on the night he died , it was like Elvis's epitaph ; as if he's telling his fans that he'll always love them until the end of time itself. He wanted the fans to know he cares about them ; and appreciated all the applause , the gifts and the fun times he had performing and playing his music. There will never be another like him.
At the end of the Love Me Tender movie, there is that big image of him singing in the sky... ..., Elvis knew how to sing it the only way its' meant to be sung.......R.I.P Elvis, until we see you again.
Linda Ronstadt covered this in 1978. US Radio stations edited her version together with Elvis' original, creating a duet. This version became very popular, but was never released as a single or available for sale.
Many singers have since cover this evergreen timeless love song. A list of which is available in wikiepedia.
When this song was played on the night he died , it was like Elvis's epitaph ; as if he's telling his fans that he'll always love them until the end of time itself. He wanted the fans to know he cares about them ; and appreciated all the applause , the gifts and the fun times he had performing and playing his music. There will never be another like him.
At the end of the Love Me Tender movie, there is that big image of him singing in the sky... ..., Elvis knew how to sing it the only way its' meant to be sung.......R.I.P Elvis, until we see you again.
Love me tender, love me true,
all my dreams fulfill.
For my darlin' I love you,
and I always will.
Duet: Elvis Presley and Linda Rondstadt
Hello - Lionel Richie
When he was young, Richie watched beautiful women walk past but was too shy to talk to them. He thought to himself, "Hello, is it me you're looking for?"
Years later he started to write a song using the phrase but got stuck and gave up, but his record producer liked the line and urged him to finish it.
Hello is considered by many as Richie's signature song.
Hello, is it me you're looking for?
In an interview broadcast in the UK on Channel 4's Top 100 Number One Hits, Richie said he had been thanked by a large number of normally tongue-tied men who had proposed marriage after a slow dance to the song.
In the music video story, Richie's character (a music teacher) having a seemingly unrequited love for a blind arts student (played by Laura Carrington, an actress who is not blind) until he discovers she shares the feeling as demonstrated by the discovery that she is sculpting a likeness of his head
The third single from Richie's multi-platinum album Can't Slow Down, the song was released in 1984 and reached number one on three Billboard music charts: the pop chart (for two weeks), the R&B chart (for three weeks), and the adult contemporary chart (for six weeks). The song also went to #1 on the UK Singles Chart.
Last Kiss - Pearl Jam
Actual text comment from YouTube
the last kiss I have got on my very loveliest woman in my life are still fresh on my mind even though those where the days 7 year ago... now she have his own family too and I have got too... but even though she still remain in my heart no matter what even though the destiny plays on its own by not allowing us to be... sad to say.. how funny life is... this songs reminds me on how sweet love is, we were playing and sing this song on my guitar that she gave while her head on my shoulder and smiling at me
Lyrics
Oh where, oh where can my baby be?
The Lord took her away from me.
She's gone to heaven, so I've got to be good,
So I can see my baby when I leave this world.
We were out on a date in my daddy's car,
we hadn't driven very far.
There in the road, straight ahead,
a car was stalled, the engine was dead.
I couldn't stop, so I swerved to the right.
I'll never forget, the sound that night--
the screamin tires, the bustin glass,
the painful scream that I-- heard last.
Oh where, oh where can my baby be?
The Lord took her away from me.
She's gone to heaven, so I've got to be good,
So I can see my baby when I leave this world.
When I woke up, the rain was pourin down.
There were people standin all around.
Somethin warm flowin through my eyes,
but somehow I found my baby that night.
I lifted her head, she looked at me and said,
"Hold me darlin just a little while."
I held her close, I kissed her--our last kiss.
I'd found the love that I knew I had missed.
Well now she's gone, even though I hold her tight.
I lost my love, my life-- that night.
Oh where, oh where can my baby be?
The Lord took her away from me.
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good,
So I can see my baby when I leave this world.
J Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers
Pearl Jam
Tequila Sunrise - Eagles
The Tequila Sunrise is a cocktail made in two different ways, the original (tequila, crème de cassis, lime juice and soda water) and the more popular concoction (tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup).
The cocktail is named for the way it looks after it has been poured into a glass. The denser ingredients (cassis or grenadine) settle, creating gradations in color that mimic a sunrise.
"Tequila Sunrise" is a song written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, and recorded by the American rock band Eagles. It was the first single from the band's second album Desperado.Glenn Frey came up with the title.
He was up all night drinking tequila and the sun was rising when he finished the song. The line, "Take another shot of courage" refers to how if you drink tequila, it will give you courage to talk to women (although not coherently).
Maybe for a guy he can relate to this song. At some point you've made a move on a woman that was clearly out of your league. When you get shot down to the "Let's just be friends" level a few shots of Tequila does the trick but the hollow feeling still stick.
Early live performances of this song included an extra verse at the end.
Think I'll go to Mexico. Down where the pace is nice and slow. And there's no one there I know. It's another tequila sunrise, wonderin' if I'm growing wise, or telling lies
Lyrics
It's another tequila sunrise
Starin' slowly 'cross the sky, said goodbye
He was just a hired hand
Workin' on the dreams he planned to try
The days go by
Ev'ry night when the sun goes down
Just another lonely boy in town
And she's out runnin' 'round
She wasn't just another woman
And I couldn't keep from comin' on
It's been so long
Oh, and it's a hollow feelin' when
It comes down to dealin' friends
It never ends
Take another shot of courage
Wonder why the right words never come
You just get numb
It's another tequila sunrise,
this old world still looks the same,
Another frame, mm...
Annie's Song - John Denver
"Annie's Song" was written as an ode to Denver's then-wife, Annie Denver (née Martell). Denver "wrote this song in about ten-and-a-half minutes one day on a ski lift" to the top of Bell Mountain in Aspen, Colorado, as the physical exhilaration of having "just skied down a very difficult run" and the feeling of total immersion in the beauty of the colors and sounds that filled all senses inspired him to think about his wife.The song has since become a wedding standard and an expression of love for many people, due to its grand imagery and the fact it could apply to anyone (Annie is not mentioned by name in any part of the song).
