Duran Duran get the award this week, by special request and suggestion of Megan Milligan. The feature song is my favourite song of theirs “Hungry Like The Wolf”. According to the archives of this blog, Duran Duran have received this award once before, and on that occasion the feature song was one which does not really rank among my favourite songs any more (Reach Up For The Sunrise), but that could just be due to having been subjected to it fairly regularly of late, thanks to my employment.
So, here is a song which is still in my list of favourite songs, Hungry Like The Wolf.
Dark in the city, night is a wire
Steam in the subway, Earth is a fire
Do-do do do, do do do, do do do, do do do, do do
Woman, you want me, give me a sign
And catch my breathing even closer behind
Do-do do do, do do do, do do do, do do do, do do
In touch with the ground
I’m on the hunt, I’m after you
Smell like I sound, I’m lost in a crowd
And I’m hungry like the wolf
Straddle the line, in discord and rhyme
I’m on the hunt, I’m after you.
Mouth is alive, with juices like wine
And I’m hungry like the wolf
Stalked in the forest, too close to hide
I’ll be upon you by the moonlight side
Do-do do do, do do do, do do do, do do do, do do
High on blood drumming on your skin, it’s so tight
You feel my heat, I’m just a moment behind
Do-do do do, do do do, do do do, do do do, do do
In touch with the ground
I’m on the hunt, I’m after you
Scent and a sound, I’m lost and I’m found
And I’m hungry like the wolf
Strut on a line, it’s discord and rhyme
I howl and I whine, I’m after you
Mouth is alive, all running inside
And I’m hungry like the wolf
(Hungry like the wolf)
(Hungry like the wolf)
(Hungry like the wolf)
Burning the ground, I break from the crowd
I’m on the hunt, I’m after you
I smell like I sound, I’m lost and I’m found
And I’m hungry like the wolf
Strut on a line, it’s discord and rhyme
I’m on the hunt, I’m after you
Mouth is alive, with juices like wine
And I’m hungry like the wolf
Burning the ground, I break from the crowd
I’m on the hunt, I’m after you
Scent and a sound, I’m lost and I’m found
And I’m hungry like the wolf
Strut on a line, it’s discord and rhyme
I howl and I whine, I’m after you
As a stark contrast to last week, this week’s award goes to Gordon Lightfoot, a man with a lovely voice who is capable of delivering some absolutely splendid gentle songs, and also capable of my favourite competency of a great musician…the ability to perform a faithful version of the song live.
My favourite of his songs is his 1971 hit “If You Could Read My Mind”, so here it is.
If you could read my mind, love,
What a tale my thoughts could tell.
Just like an old time movie,
‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well.
In a castle dark or a fortress strong,
With chains upon my feet.
You know that ghost is me.
And I will never be set free
As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see.
If I could read your mind, love,
What a tale your thoughts could tell.
Just like a paperback novel,
The kind the drugstores sell.
When you reached the part where the heartaches come,
The hero would be me.
But heroes often fail,
And you won’t read that book again
Because the ending’s just too hard to take!
I’d walk away like a movie star
Who gets burned in a three way script.
Enter number two:
A movie queen to play the scene
Of bringing all the good things out in me.
But for now, love, let’s be real;
I never thought I could feel this way
And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it.
I don’t know where we went wrong,
But the feeling’s gone
And I just can’t get it back.
If you could read my mind, love,
What a tale my thoughts could tell.
Just like an old time movie,
‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well.
In a castle dark or a fortress strong.
With chains upon my feet.
But stories always end,
And if you read between the lines,
You’d know that I’m just tryin’ to understand
The feelin’s that you lack.
I never knew I could feel this way
And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it.
I don’t know where we went wrong,
But the feelin’s gone
And I just can’t get it back!
This is one that I’ve been planning on running for a while. I tend to have trouble picking my favourite Sneaky Sound System song, usually struggling to pick from 16, Because Of You People Think I’m Crazy, Kansas City, and the song I am featuring this week (there also happens to be a few songs from this group which I like, but not as much as the ones I just mentioned, and then some which I simply can not stand…it’s funny how that all works).
The song which I am featuring this week is one which I have played loudly in the car more times than I care to count. Almost no trip to Deniliquin has been complete without it and it has nicely filled the void between areas without 3G mobile reception out that way a few times. It was also given a good run on my way back to Deniliquin from Shepparton one night in March, 2009 after I had seen a movie at a cinema in Shepparton.
Anyway, the reason I decided on this song and not one of the aforementioned songs is that, a few weeks ago, as I was driving in to work, I was listening to The Sean Hannity Show (or maybe it was Mark Levin, to be honest I’m not entirely sure now) and heard him take a call from a caller in Portland, Oregon, who was listening through KUFO-AM. I hadn’t realised before this that there was a station with the callsign KUFO…it’s such a great callsign, and I thought there was a lot of potential in it. I figured that with a callsign like that, it had to be an affiliate of Coast To Coast AM, which specialises in discussions about UFOs, aliens and other unusual phenomena…alas, I checked, and it isn’t, which is a real shame as there is a whole heap of imaging which could be built around that callsign for that show.
In my attempt to check if KUFO is an affiliate of Coast To Coast AM, I went to type KUFO in to the search box on the Coast To Coast website and accidentally left off the K, which naturally resulted in the search being for UFO. This produced a lot of results, but in amongst the results were a few mentions of bumper music used during particular episodes of the show. As would be expected, the song which I’m featuring this week, Sneaky Sound System’s “UFO” has been used as bumper music a few times on Coast To Coast AM, most recently on an episode entitled “UFO Year In Review” on December 27, 2009. In this show, the song was used as bumper music leading in to the hard break (a break which airs at a set time, and which the program must accommodate, unlike other breaks which “float” and can be taken whenever they seem to fit the show, within certain time constraints) at the bottom of the first hour.
[audio:https://samuelgordonstewart.com/wp-content/UFOONC2CAM.MP3] Download MP3
(h/t Premiere Radio Networks. The more recently archived shows have higher quality audio available to subscribers. This episode’s subscriber replay audio comes from their older, lower-quality streams)
It’s a pity that it was used leading in to a break and not out of a break, because songs get a longer run on Coast To Coast coming out of a break. Still, it’s great that such an aptly titled song gets a run on this show.
Enough of the back story; on with the song. Here is the video clip for the radio edit of the song (I can’t decide whether I prefer the radio edit or the full version, but the video is only on the radio edit so I’ll run with that). My favourite part of the video is the alien creatures which appear in the second half…they always give me a good chuckle.
I just don’t wanna be lonely (lonely, lonely, lonely)
Cause the lights were shining ever so bright (bright, bright, bright)
In my hand there’s a pulse of my beating heart
I’m biting my tongue there’s a plastic man on the telephone
Can you see the bright light, shining, I don’t know
Can you see the bright light, shining, shining….
I saw a UFO but nobody believes me (believes me, believes me, believes me)
I was 16 miles from home with nobody in sight (sight, sight, sight)
I saw a UFO but nobody believes me (believes me, believes me, believes me)
(oh oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh oh)
(tonight) And what’s it gonna take to get me back home tonight
(oh oh oh, oh oh oh)
Can you see the bright light, shining, I don’t know (don’t know, don’t know)
And is it a reflection of anyone, the big glow (glow, glow, glow)
And tell me this is all good, and you say, I don’t know (know, know)
I’m very, very far from home (home, home, home)
I saw a UFO but nobody believes me (believes me, believes me, believes me)
I was 16 miles from home with nobody in sight (sight, sight, sight)
I saw a UFO but nobody believes me (believes me, believes me, believes me)
(oh oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh oh)
(tonight) And what’s it gonna take to get me back home tonight
(oh oh oh, oh oh oh)
(tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight) (hello, hello, hello, hello, hello, hello, hello)
(hello, hello, hello, hello, hello)
(hello, hello, hello, hello, hello, hello)
(hello, hello, hello, hello, hello, hello, hello)
I saw a UFO but nobody believes me
I was 16 miles from home with nobody in sight (sight, sight, sight)
I saw a UFO but nobody believes me (believes me, believes me, believes me)
And what’s it gonna take to get me back home tonight
(tonight, tonight, tonight) (oh, oh, oh)
And what’s it gonna take to
And what’s it gonna take to
And what’s it gonna
And what’s it gonna
And what’s it gonna take to
And what’s it gonna take to (tonight, tonight)
And what’s it gonna take to (oh oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh oh)
(tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight) And what’s it gonna take to get me back home tonight
(tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight)
In light of the fact that Jasmine Rae was named Australian Country Music Artist Of The Year the other day, I have decided to give her the Musician Of The Week award this week.
The feature song is her cheeky little number “I Faked It”.
You walked out and told the whole town we were over
And now you’re scratchin’ like a dog at my door ’cause you want back in
Your eyes are all red from apologising,
But you ain’t the only one here that’s been lyin’
I’ve got a few little secrets of my own
Every time I smiled and said I loved your momma, I faked it
When I told you baby “no need to lose weight”, yeah I was fakin’ that too
And this one is really gonna blow your mind
Every time you thought that you were king of the night – surprise
That’s right
I faked it
I think this might be the first time I’ve seen you speechless
Lookin’ all confused wonderin’ if what I said was the truth
Well a woman’s mind is a complicated thing
Can’t always believe everything you say – surprise
Mm hmm, I faked it
Every time you thought I ate your overcooked steak, I faked it
The dog ate it
I was yellin’ “rock star” when you were playin’ your guitar
Yeah, well I was faking that too
Every time you thought that you were doin’ things right
I was just too tired to even put up a fight – surprise
That’s right
I faked it
(Oh yeah, oh yeah)
(Oooh)
Every time I smiled and said I loved your momma, I faked it
When I told you “baby no need to lose weight”, yeah I was fakin’ that too
And this one is really gonna blow your mind
Every time you thought that you were king of the night – surprise
That’s right
I might, have lied
Mm hmm, bye bye
I faked it
Last night I was watching a Dutch movie on SBS One entitled ‘The Black Book’ which was set during the months leading up to, and immediately after, the end of World War Two. The film revolved around the Dutch Resistance against the Germans and, in particular, a Jewish woman who was working with the Dutch Resistance and had to infiltrate the local Nazi headquarters. It was a very good film and dealt with some very important topics, including the often-overlooked effects that the end of the war had while free societies worked out how to be free again. I highly recommend finding a copy of the film to watch if you can.
Anyway, how this relates to the Musician Of The Week award is that, during one of the scenes in the local Nazi headquarters, the Germans were singing a wartime song about how they were going to free Europe by shooting everyone (or at least that seemed to be the general gist of it…the focus of the scene was not this song, but rather the Jewish woman feeling sick when she saw one of the Germans who killed much of her family) and it reminded me of a song which I heard from our side of the war on a documentary on 7two last week called “The World At War” called The Thing-Ummy Bob (because it was a war song, not because of any similarity in sentiment between the songs). I had added this song to my list of prospective award recipients, and seeing this movie last night made me decide to use the song this week.
The song was sung by a few people, but the version which I heard was probably the most popular one sung by Gracie Fields. The song celebrates the work of those who stayed in their home country during the war, and did things which supported the war effort. We owe a lot to these people, and we could learn a thing or two from them today.
So, here it is, Gracie Fields singing The Thing-Ummy Bob.
I can’t pretend to be a great celebrity
But still, I’m quite important in me way,
The job I have to do may not sound much to you
But all the same, I’m very proud to say…..
I’m the girl that makes the thing that drills the hole
that holds the ring that drives the rod that turns the knob
that works the thing-ummy bob
I’m the girl that makes the thing that holds the oil
that oils the ring that takes the shank that moves the crank
that works the thing-ummy bob.
It’s a ticklish sort of job making a thing for a thing-ummy bob
Especially when you don’t know what it’s for
But it’s the girl that makes the thing that drills the hole
that holds the ring that makes the thing-ummy bob
that makes the engines roar
And it’s the girl that makes the thing that holds the oil
that oils the ring that makes the thing-ummy bob
that’s going to win the war
I’m not what you would call a heroine, at all
I don’t suppose you’d even know me name
But though I’ll never boast, of my important post
I’ll strike a blow for freedom just the same
(Music)
That works the thing-ummy bob
(Music)
That works the thing-ummy bob
It’s a ticklish sort of job making a thing for a thing-ummy bob
Especially when you don’t know what it’s for
But it’s the girl that makes the thing that drills the hole
that holds the ring that makes the thing-ummy bob
that makes the engines roar.
And it’s the girl that makes the thing that holds the oil
that oils the ring that makes the thing-ummy bob
that’s going to win the war.
Two of my favourite musicians singing one of my favourite songs. It’s a shortened version of the song, but still thoroughly enjoyable.
Now, blue ain’t the word for the way that I feel,
That old storm keeps brewin’ in this heart of mine.
This ain’t no crazy dream, I know that it’s real.
You’re someone else’s love now, you’re not mine!
Crazy arms that reach to hold somebody new,
But my yearning heart keeps sayin’ you’re not mine!
My troubled mind knows soon to another you’ll be wed,
Honey that’s why I’m lonesome all the time.
Crazy arms that reach to hold somebody new,
But my yearning heart keeps sayin’ you’re not mine! (not mine, not mine)
My troubled mind knows soon to another you’ll be wed,
Honey that’s why I’m lonesome all the time.
I’m sure that I have given the award to Judith Durham before, but I saw her singing last night at Carols In The Domain and was moved by her performance, so this week’s award goes to the lovely Ms. Judith Durham and we have two songs from her from last night’s performance: “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” and a slightly modified version of “Morningtown Ride”.
(With thanks to YouTube user BrainyAlien1 who uploaded this video. I was going to upload it myself, but BrainyAlien1 has already uploaded one with higher video quality than what I would have uploaded.)
With thanks to 2UE’s John Kerr and Stuart Bocking for playing this song this morning, this week’s award goes to Alan Jackson for his stirring tribute to the victims of 9/11. This week’s feature song is Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning?
Thanks also to Youtube user MEGARA2009 for this video montage of the song and images from 9/11.
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin’ against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?
Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don’t know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin’ what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?
I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell
you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty ’cause you’re a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you’re watchin’
And turn on “I Love Lucy” reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?
I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell
you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love
I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell
you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
There’s a reason for this one. After the peculiar sideshows in the Federal and New South Wales parliaments this week (see this week’s Sunday Bits if you don’t know what I’m on about), I was reminded of this song. So I’m dedicating it to our politicians in the hope that they’ll take the hint and do something productive rather than wasting time on the same old nonsense day-after-day, week-after-week.
So, without further ado, this week’s award goes to Madonna, and the feature song is “Sorry”. And a heads up, the video is definitely worthy of a PG rating. If you’re offended by a bit of skin, don’t watch it, and don’t complain to me.
Je suis désolé (“I am sorry” in French)
Lo siento (“I am sorry” in Spanish)
Ik ben droevig (“I am sad” in Dutch)
Sono spiacente (“I am sorry” in Italian)
Perdóname (“forgive me” in Spanish)
I’ve heard it all before
I’ve heard it all before
I’ve heard it all before
I’ve heard it all before
[repeated]
I don’t wanna hear, I don’t wanna know
Please don’t say you’re sorry
I’ve heard it all before
And I can take care of myself
I don’t wanna hear, I don’t wanna know
Please don’t say ‘forgive me’
I’ve seen it all before
And I can’t take it anymore
You’re not half the man you think you are
Save your words because you’ve gone too far
I’ve listened to your lies and all your stories (listened to your stories)
You’re not half the man you’d like to be
I don’t wanna hear, I don’t wanna know
Please don’t say you’re sorry
I’ve heard it all before
And I can take care of myself
I don’t wanna hear, I don’t wanna know
Please don’t say ‘forgive me’
I’ve seen it all before
And I can’t take it anymore
Don’t explain yourself ’cause talk is cheap
There’s more important things than hearing you speak
You stayed because I made it so convenient (so convenient)
Don’t explain yourself, you’ll never see
(Sorry, sorry, sorry) (repeated)
Gomenasai (“Forgive me”/”sorry” in japanese)
Mujhe maaf kardo (“Please forgive me” in Hindi)
Przepraszam (“I’m sorry” in Polish)
Sli’kha (“I am sorry” in Hebrew)
Forgive me…
(Sorry, sorry, sorry) [repeated]
I’ve heard it all before
I’ve heard it all before
I’ve heard it all before
[repeated]
I don’t wanna hear, I don’t wanna know
Please don’t say you’re sorry
I’ve heard it all before
And I can take care of myself
I don’t wanna hear, I don’t wanna know
Please don’t say ‘forgive me’
I’ve seen it all before
And I can’t take it anymore
I don’t wanna hear, I don’t wanna know
Please don’t say you’re sorry
(Don’t explain yourself cause talk is cheap)
I’ve heard it all before, And I can take care of myself
(There’s more important things than hearing you speak)
I don’t wanna hear, I don’t wanna know
Please don’t say ‘forgive me’
I was very pleased today to hear the news that American special forces have killed Osama Bin Laden, the dreadful man behind the September 11 attacks, among other atrocities. US President Barack Obama made the announcement a couple hours ago.
My congratulations and thanks go out to Mr. Obama, the brave men and women who were responsible for making this happen, and former President George W. Bush who set the wheels in motion for this very important mission.
Not surprisingly, a large crowd gathered outside the White House to celebrate when the news broke.
Fox News put together a nearly six minute report on Bin Laden, his acts, and the effort to capture him. It’s well worth a look.
This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.
Hear hear!
Under the circumstances, I think this song is appropriate. Weird Al Yankovich’s KOMP Morning Show’s “Bin Laden Bomb Song”. Seeing as I didn’t get around to awarding a Musician Of The Week award yesterday, it can go to Weird Al Yankovich the crew from the then-KOMP Morning Show (see revision in comment #4 below).
It’s been a while, so I think it’s time once again to delve in to the “I’m not a complete musical luddite, I do like some modern music but I have to really like it for it to appear on these pages” file…and this week’s award goes Martin Solveig and Dragonette, with the feature song being one which I absolutely love, Boys & Girls.
The video is rather interesting as well…it reminds me a bit of some of the music videos from the 1980s with the dance sequences which look rather amusing these days, but in a charming way. Also, the male dancer who is at the front of the group on the left of the shot behind Dragonette at 2:22, then behind Martin and Dragonette and eventually moves behind the manikin at the front left of view…he is the spitting image of someone I work with, especially when he pulls his “looking down slightly with a serious expression” face.
[Martin]
I could be your boy and you could be mine (Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
I could be your toy, it would be fine (Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
I could be your boy and you could be mine (Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Bring me all your joy, it will be fine (Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
You want it or not, coming after you, I’m really hot, I know you are too
I could be your clown, I will make it right
Boy say the word, let’s get over tonight
I could be your boy and you could be my girl
(I could be your boy) Come on, rock my world
I could be your boy and you could be my girl
(I could be your boy) Come on, rock my world
I could be your boy and you could be my girl
(I could be your boy) Come on, rock my world
I could be your boy and you could be my girl
(I could be your boy) Come on, rock my world
(Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
[Dragonette]
I can’t be your girl, look at yourself (Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Maybe you have taken me for someone else (Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
I can’t be your girl, tu me fatigues (oh!) (Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
This is not your world, boy you’re outta your league (Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Popsicle French boy, sure of yourself
I could get to know you but I just want to dance
I’m gonna make it clear, parlez-vous français?
Ce n’est pas possible, now, get out of my way
[Martin]
I could be your boy and you could be my girl
(I could be your boy) Come on, rock my world
I could be your boy and you could be my girl
(I could be your boy) Come on, rock my world
I could be your boy and you could be my girl
[Dragonette]
(I could be your girl) Come on, rock my world
[Martin]
I could be your boy and you could be my girl
(I could be your boy) Come on, rock my world
Come on, rock my world
I could be your boy and you could be my girl
(I could be your boy) Come on, rock my world
I could be your boy and you could be my girl
(I could be your boy) Come on, rock my world
I could be your boy and you could be my girl
[Dragonette]
(I could be your girl) Come on, rock my world
[Martin]
I could be your boy and you could be my girl
(I could be your boy) Come on, rock my world.
Our old pals Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel (now, why can I remember Paul’s first name right now?..I usually can never remember it) are up for the Musicians Of The Week award again. This time around, the feature song is Bleecker Street.
Fog’s rollin’ in off the East River bank
Like a shroud it covers Bleecker Street
Fills the alleys where men sleep
Hides the shepherd from the sheep
Voices leaking from a sad cafe
Smiling faces try to understand
I saw a shadow touch a shadow’s hand
On Bleecker Street
A poet reads his crooked rhyme
Holy, holy is his sacrament
Thirty dollars pays your rent
On Bleecker Street
Heard a church bell softly chime
In a melody sustainin’
It’s a long road to Caanan
On Bleecker Street
(harmonic vocal interlude)
Bleecker Street
A couple weeks ago in the wee hours of the morning, I was listening to John Kerr on the radio when he announced that he had to do something “now” because he wouldn’t have enough time to do it during the country music news segment, and it deserved the time. John announced the sad news that, during that week, country music legend Ferlin Husky had passed away. John proceeded to pay tribute to Ferlin, broke out in to a few lines of “The Wings Of A Dove” and then a few minutes later, took the time to play the record of Ferlin Husky singing this song.
This was a very emotional time for me as Ferlin Husky was one of my favourite singers when I was growing up. I absolutely adored his voice, and loved it when one of his songs would come on, particularly “The Wings Of A Dove” which was my favourite of his songs…in fact I gave Ferlin the Musician Of The Week award for this very song back in 2006, so it was quite upsetting for me to hear that this kindly 85-year-old had passed on, as it felt like a bit of my childhood had left me. It still feels that way.
Country Music Hall of Famer Ferlin Husky passed away at his daughter’s residence in Westmoreland today, reports The Tennessean. Husky was known for the 1957 hit ‘Gone’ — which was a catalyst for the poppier, Nashville Sound era — as well as the hit ‘Wings of a Dove.’
Ferlin Husky was 85-years-old and was suffering from congestive heart failure. He had seven bypass surgeries as of 2009, to which Husky once said, “I just pray and keep going.”
Husky wasn’t just a country singer who nailed songs to the top of the charts. He helped erase some of the stigma of twangy music by proving that a country song could appeal to a mass audience and crossover to pop music fans. He also acted in films and entertained people as “Simon Crum,” which was his comedic alter ego.
Country legend Merle Haggard spoke about Husky in The Tennessean last year, effectively summing up the entertainer. Haggard said, ”There were a lot of years when nobody in the business could follow Ferlin Husky. He was the big live act of the day.”
Husky was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in February 2010, which was a lifelong dream of his. He entered along with Jimmy Dean and Billy Sherrill during a ceremony in May 2010.
Even in the face of serious health problems, Husky never lost his sense of humor, which is very admirable to say the least. “Some of the people that vote [for the Hall members] are so young, I thought they’d never heard of me,” he joked at the time. “I figured they thought Ferlin Husky was some kind of disease.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ferlin Husky’s family members and friends on this day. Rest in peace, Ferlin. Your legacy will live on in the hearts of many.
And so, it is with a heavy heart that I once again award Ferlin Husky with the Musician Of The Week award, and offer up a rare Samuel Salute to this true legend of the music industry and a man for whom I have great admiration and respect…a man who gave me many fond memories despite the fact that we never meet.
Mr. Ferlin Husky. Born December 3, 1925. Died March 17, 2011. May you rest in peace.
Once again, the feature song is “The Wings Of A Dove”. A song for which I will forever remember this great man.
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
(Sign from above)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)
When troubles surround us
When evils come
The body grows weak
(Body grows weak)
The spirit grows numb
(Spirit grows numb)
When these things beset us
He doesn’t forget us
He sends down His love
(Sends down His love)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
(Sign from above)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)
When Noah had drifted
On the flood many days
He searched for land
(He searched for land)
In various ways
(Various ways)
Troubles, he had some
But wasn’t forgotten
He sent him His love
(Sent him His love)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
(Sign from above)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
(Sign from above)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)
With special thanks to Taste Of Country and the Country Music Hall of Fame for Ferlin’s photo.
This one’s for 2UE’s John Kerr who, in the wee hours of Sunday morning, put on his deep voice and belted out a few lines of this song, sounding just like Tennessee Ernie Ford himself. The feature song for the week is Sixteen Tons.
Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man’s made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that’s a-weak and a back that’s strong
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don’t you call me ’cause I can’t go
I owe my soul to the company store
I was born one mornin’ when the sun didn’t shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said “Well, a-bless my soul”
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don’t you call me ’cause I can’t go
I owe my soul to the company store
I was born one mornin’, it was drizzlin’ rain
Fightin’ and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol’ mama lion
Cain’t no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don’t you call me ’cause I can’t go
I owe my soul to the company store
If you see me comin’, better step aside
A lotta men didn’t, a lotta men died
One fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don’t a-get you
Then the left one will
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don’t you call me ’cause I can’t go
I owe my soul to the company store
It’s safe to say that this week’s award is quite a change from the norm for my Musician(s) Of The Week awards. Generally speaking I’m not a huge fan of modern music, although of late I have been getting in to some of the electronic music dance and pop music. I’m convinced that the ratio of junk to good stuff is somewhere around 50:1 or worse, but there are a few gems in there.
One of the things which I think is sadly lacking in most modern music (even stuff that I would consider to be good modern music) is interesting lyrics. Somewhere along the line, the art of telling a story, painting a picture or merely doing something clever with words, was lost. Thankfully it’s not completely lost though, and this week’s award highlights that.
This song caught my attention when I was watching Robbie The Reindeer on ABC1 last week as it played over the closing credits. The lyrics in this one certainly paint a picture and are quite clever, and I’m quite impressed by the catchy musical arrangement which goes with it. By the way, the male voice in this (not the deep one, the other one) is Fred Schneider from the B-52s (for those not familiar, think of the male voice from “Love Shack”). At first when I heard it, I thought it had to be him, and then Wikipedia confirmed it.
Anyway, enough of my preamble, enjoy the feature song for this week which is Supersonic.
Supersonic from the Earth to the Sun now
Flash – from your atomic gun wow
Hang a right at the next zodiac sign
Your kiss is mine
Our love is radiating
Chill out, it´s worth the waiting
You´ve got me spinning like a satellite
I´m in orbit, we´re in heaven
Countdown is a quarter to seven
Faster than the stars shooting by
(5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
Venus collides with Mars
Romance written in the stars
Supersonic from the Earth to the Sun now
Flash – from your atomic gun wow
Hang a right at the next zodiac sign
Your kiss is mine
Kiss so divine
My supersonic baby
Your kiss is mine
Kiss so divine
My supersonic lover baby
Supersonic, I´m at the controls now
The course I take is gonna be bold
I´ve got you covered, covered like lotion
We move together, perpetual motion
All the planets are in alignment
Venus rising, that´s the assignment
The love phase is emerging
Signs show harmonic converging
Venus collides with Mars
Romance written in the stars
Supersonic from the Earth to the Sun now
Flash – from your atomic gun wow
Hang a right at the next zodiac sign
Your kiss is mine
Kiss so divine
My supersonic baby
Your kiss is mine
Kiss so divine
My supersonic lover baby
Zoom baby your signal is clearer
Flashing lights are getting nearer
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 !
Supersonic from the edge of the Sun now
Flash – from your atomic gun wow
Hang a right at the next zodiac sign
Supersonic from the edge of the Sun now
Flash – from your atomic gun wow
Hang a right at the next zodiac sign
Supersonic from the edge of the Sun
My supersonic baby
Flash – from your atomic gun
My supersonic baby
Your kiss is mine
Kiss so divine
My supersonic baby
Your kiss is mine
Kiss so divine
My supersonic lover baby
This was a very emotional time for me as Ferlin Husky was one of my favourite singers when I was growing up. I absolutely adored his voice, and loved it when one of his songs would come on, particularly “The Wings Of A Dove” which was my favourite of his songs…in fact I gave Ferlin the Musician Of The Week award