Music Monday - Christmas

 Christmas is my favourite time of year so this week my Music Monday is all about Christmas.

I thought I would share some of my favourite Christmas Carols





Mary Did You Know - by Donny Osmond
There is something that stirs in me when I hear this one. It also summarises the life of Jesus.
I love this.




O Holy Night by Josh Groban
Another beautiful song. This one makes me all emotional.




O Come All Ye Faithful - King's College Cambridge Choir
This is one of my favourites - I love the tune and I think it's very joyful.




And as it sounds good in any language, here it is Adeste Fideles by Andrea Bocelli.



Wish you all  Peace, Love and Joy and happy Christmas singing.

Warm Regards


Linking to:



 BFF 149

Music Monday - Imagine

Last week was John Lennon's 31st death anniversary. So I thought I would share a John Lennon song. A song of peace which is very appropriate for this time of year.

"Imagine" was written and sung by John Lennon himself and released in 1971.

In 2004 "Rolling Stone" (US music magazine) ranked "Imagine" 3rd in it's list of "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

The main theme of the song was Lennon's message of giving peace a chance - imagining a world that lives in peace.

Information taken from Wikipedia - Imagine

Here are some quotes from John Lennon that are quite thought provoking:

"Everybody's talking about peace, but nobody does anything about it in a peaceful way." 

"Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King are great examples of fantastic nonviolents who died violently. I can never work that out. We're pacifists, but I'm not sure what it means when you're such a pacifist that you get shot. I can never understand that."

"You are all geniuses, and you are all beautiful. You don't need anyone to tell you who you are. You are what you are. Get out there and get peace, think peace, live peace, and breathe peace, and you'll get it as soon as you like."

So here is John Lennon singing "Imagine" at the 1972 Charity Concert at the Madison Square Garden




Here's wishing you all peace this season.

Warm Regards


Linking to:














Lyrics
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace

You, you may say 
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world

You, you may say 
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will live as one

Music Monday - The Rainbow Connection

The Rainbow Connection, made famous by Kermit The Frog,  is a very lovely and thought provoking song that is sung beautifully by Karen Carpenter.  She had such an amazing voice.

I often tried to find the meaning of  the "Rainbow Connection" and finally decided that it is anything you want it to be.

I think at different times of my life The Rainbow Connection for me means different things ...  connection with spirit and soul, a love connection, connections with family-friends-people, the meaning of life, my life's work, guidance, messages, answers to questions, memories, dreams ...

I thought I would share The Rainbow Connection with all of you today as we are so close to Christmas and so many wishes and dreams are being planned and hoped for

So here is Karen Carpenter's version:




And here is the finale of the song from the Muppets Movie (the first 2.5mins).
This version really summed it up for me.



So here's hoping and wishing that today or someday soon you will find all your "Rainbow Connections".

Warm Regards


Linking to:

 

Lyrics

Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it. I know they're wrong wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that wishes would be heard and answered when wished on the morning star?
Someone thought of that and someone believed it. Look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.
Have you been half asleep, and have you heard voices? I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors? The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it. It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me.

Muppets Finale lyrics

Why are there so many songs about rainbows?

That's part of what rainbows do.

Rainbows are memories, sweet dream reminders

What is it you'd like to do?

All of us watching and wishing we'd find it

I've noticed you're watching too

Someday you'll find it the rainbow connection

The lovers, the dreamers and you.

Life's like a movie, write your own ending
Keep believing, keep pretending

We've done just what we set out to do.

Thanks to the lovers, the dreamers and you.

Music Monday - Elton John's Daniel

Elton John is another one of my favourite singers. He gave a concert on Friday in Dunedin which I did not attend but I did see him in concert in the December of 2006 in Wellington and it was an awesome concert. An unforgettable experience.



So I thought I'd share one of my favourite Elton John song's this week - "Daniel"

"Daniel" also has a special meaning for me - quite different from the inspiration behind the writing of this song.

I was 16 years old when my older brother travelled on a plane to make a life in the US. I remember waving goodbye and the tears in my eyes. As we headed back home, this song played again and again in my head.

My brother always tells me there are 3 places in the world I must see before I die - New Zealand (been there, done that, tick in the box),  Jerusalem, and Barcelona (Spain). The latter two are definitely on my "places to see" list.

So here it is - Elton John's "Daniel". Dedicated to my wonderful brother who "has and still sees more than I" and for all his achievements is for my family a "star in the face of the sky" and someone I miss each time the red tail lights head back out of Wellington just like I missed him when the red tail lights headed back out of Mumbai those many years ago.





Have an awesome day

Warm Regards


Linking to:

Lyrics

Daniel is traveling tonight on a plane
I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain
Oh and I can see Daniel waving goodbye
God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes

They say Spain is pretty, though I've never been
Well Daniel says it's the best place that he's ever seen
Oh and he should know, he's been there enough
Lord I miss Daniel, oh I miss him so much

Daniel my brother you are older than me
Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won't heal
Your eyes have died, but you see more than I
Daniel you're a star in the face of the sky

Daniel is traveling tonight on a plane
I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain
Oh and I can see Daniel waving goodbye
God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes
Oh God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes

Music Monday and ABC Wednesday - Strangers in the Night

S is for ...

Frank Sinatra's number one top single, Strangers in the Night.



The album by the same name was his most commercially successful album and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, The Billboard Hot 100, and the Easy Listening Singles Chart.

The song is composed by Bert Kaempfert with English lyrics by Charles Singleton and Eddie Snyder.

One of the most memorable and recognizable features of the song is Sinatra's scat improvisation of the melody with syllables "doo-be-doo-be-doo" as the song fades to the end. This inspired the name for the cartoon canine "Scooby Doo".

It is one of my most favourite songs.  Beautiful song, beautifully sung.

This song always stirs my soul and is sure to bring a smile to my face.

The words

"Something in your eyes was so inviting
 Something in your smile was so exciting
 Something in my heart told me I must have you"

always send a shiver up my spine.

The stormy weather here today on this Spring day is just perfect for listening to the scintillating, soothing and seductive voice of Sinatra singing ... Strangers in the Night.




Hope you enjoyed that as much as I did and hope the skies are serene and the sun is shining where you are.

And in case you're wondering why there are so many S words in this post, it's because I'll be linking this post to ABC Wednesday when the letter S arrives this week.

I'm also linking to Pinning and Singing as I do every Monday.

Warm Regards

from Someday Somewhere


Some notes in this post are taken from Wikipedia - Strangers in the Night

Linking to:

  
















Lyrics
Strangers in the night exchanging glances 
Wond'ring in the night what were the chances 
We'd be sharing love before the night was through 

Something in your eyes was so inviting 
Something in you smile was so exciting 
Something in my heart told me I must have you 

Strangers in the night 
Two lonely people, we were strangers in the night 
Up to the moment when we said our first hello little did we know 
Love was just a glance away, a warm embracing dance away 

and 

Ever since that night we've been together 
Lovers at first sight, in love forever 
It turned out so right for strangers in the night 

Music Monday - I Believe In You

There are some songs that inspire me and when I feel low, I listen to them and always feel better.

I Believe in You is one of those songs that always brings back the faith in myself and the Universe. 

When I lose my way or feel that life is too hard and that the Universe has abandoned me, this song brings me back to a place I once knew, a place of kindness and light, a place of hope and love.

Celine Dion is an amazing singer and one of my favourites. So here is I Believe in You by Il Divo and Celine Dion.

Be inspired, stay inspired.

Warm Regards


Lnking to:

Lyrics
Lonely, the path you have chosen
A restless road, no turning back
One day you will find your light again
Don't you know
Don't let go be strong

Follow your heart
Let your love lead through the darkness
Back to a place you once knew
I believe, I believe, I believe in you
Follow your dreams
Be yourself, an angel of kindness
There's nothing that you cannot do
I believe, I believe, I believe in you

Tout seul
Tu t'en iras tout seul
Cœur ouvert
A l'univers
Poursuis ta quête
Sans regarder derrière
N'attends pas
Que le jour
Se lève

Suis ton étoile
Va jusqu'où ton rêve t'emporte
Un jour tu le toucheras
Si tu crois, si tu crois, si tu crois
En toi

Suis ta lumière
N'éteins pas la flamme que tu portes
Au fonds de toi souviens-toi
Que je crois, que je crois, que je crois
En toi

Someday I'll find you
Someday you'll find me too
And when I hold you close
I know that it's true

Follow your heart
Let your love lead through the darkness
Back to a place you once knew
I believe, I believe, I believe in you
Follow your dreams
Be yourself an angel of kindness
There's nothing that you cannot do
I believe, I believe, I believe in you

I believe, I believe, I believe in you (x2)

Music Monday - Moon River

 Moon River is one of my favourite songs. I chose Moon River as the song for this week as it's such a beautiful, romantic song and one that provides a lot of hope. It just lifts my spirits and I just wanted to share it with all of you.


Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of my favourite movies.  I love watching this movie as Audrey Hepburn is one of my favourite  actors and George Peppard is cute. I was 10 years old when I saw it  on a cruise ship from Singapore to Hong Kong. And ever since then I have loved "Moon River", the theme song of the movie.

Here is Andy William's version. I don't think anyone sings it better than Andy Williams. It's like this song was written for him.




And here is Audrey Hepburn, a great lady, in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's.




Linking this to











Enjoy your day with your Huckleberry friend.

Warm Regards

Lyrics
Moon river, wider than a mile
I’m crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you’re goin’, I’m goin’ your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There’s such a lot of world to see
We’re after the same rainbow’s end, waitin’ ’round the bend
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me

(moon river, wider than a mile)
(I’m crossin’ you in style some day)
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you’re goin’, I’m goin’ your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There’s such a lot of world to see
We’re after that same rainbow’s end, waitin’ ’round the bend
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me

Music Monday - Spanish Eyes

    What is your favourite song?
    This is a hard question to answer as we all have many
     favourite songs.
     But if you had to pick only one, which one would it be?


I've thought long and hard about this and the song that always comes to me is ... Spanish Eyes.

I think I have a karmic or spiritual connection to this song. Listening to this song, takes me to a
different world.

There are so many versions of this song, but I think Engelbert Humperdink's version is probably
the one I like best.

So here it is ... Spanish Eyes by Engelbert Humperdink.




And if you like instrumental music, check out Andre Rieu's version.
I love this version too as it is so soothing. And when I'm in a quiet mood,
this is the version I listen to.




Have an awesome day ... one that takes you to a magical different world.

Linking this to:













Warm Regards

Lyrics
Blue Spanish eyes teardrops are falling from your Spanish eyes
Please please don't cry, this is just adios and not good-bye
Soon I'll return, bringing you all the love your heart can hold
Please say "Si Si" say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me

Blue Spanish Eyes, prettiest eyes in all of Mexico
Blue Spanish Eyes, please smile for me once more before I go
Soon I'll return, bringing you all the love your heart can hold
Please say "Si Si" say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me

Music Monday - Yesterday When I Was Young

 
   Having just celebrated a birthday, I sat back and thought about
   my life so far - all the ups and downs, the happy times and sad
   ones and then as I thought about a song for Music Monday,
   this one came to mind - "Yesterday When I Was Young" by
   Shirley Bassey.


Shirley Bassey is an amazing singer and I think amongst all my favourite female singers, she is my most favourite. I just love her voice. She also sang some amazing songs.

"Yesterday When I Was Young" reminds me that there are still many many years of living to do and many songs still left to sing.

So here it is:



Hope you enjoyed this song and wish you all a fabulous day.

Linking this to














Related post:  Music Monday - my song

Warm Regards

Lyrics:
Yesterday when I was young
The taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue
I teased at life as if it were a foolish game
The way the evening breeze may tease the candle flame 

A thousand dreams I dreamed
The splendid things I planned
I always built alas on weak and shifting sand
I lived by night and shunned the naked light of day
And only now I see how the years ran away

Yesterday when I was young
So many lovely songs were waiting to be sung
So many wayward pleasures lay in store for me
And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see 

I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out
I never stopped to think what life was all about
And every conversation I can now recall
Concerned itself with me and nothing else at all

Yesterday the moon was blue
And every crazy day brought something new to do
I used my magic age as if it were a wand
That never saw the waste and emptiness beyond 

The game of love I played with arrogance and pride
And every flame I lit too quickly quickly died
The friends I made all seemed somehow drift away
And only I am left on stage to end the play 

There are so many songs in me that won't be sung
I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue
The time has come for me to pay
For yesterday....
when I was young.....

Music Monday - my song

In the last few days I stumbled upon some interesting blog parties.

What a great idea. Thanks to these wonderful people who host them.




And today I stumbled upon this one

What a cool idea to share your songs and as I love music this is the perfect blog party for me.

So Monday will be Music Monday and I'm linking this post to Pinning and Singing.



   


Also linking to Weekend Bloggy Reading Link Up






But back to this post ... My Song

My favourite band of all time is The Beatles and their post on facebook today is:

The Beatles recorded "I Want to Hold Your Hand" at Abbey Road on this day in 1963. It reached Number One in the USA and UK charts. Following the success of the single they performed it on the Ed Sullivan show to an estimated 73 million viewers on February 9th 1964.
http://www.thebeatles.com/#/songs/I_Want_To_Hold_Your_Hand2 — with John Lennon and 3 others.

This is really special as today is my birthday and this is one of my favourite songs. I have now claimed it as my song!

Listening to The Beatles and their songs, takes me back to a time when life was innocent and so much fun.

This song is dedicated to a very special friend who led me to the facebook page and to another, wherever he may be xoxo.

So here it is:



Other parties I link to from my Photos are Fun blog:

  

Have an awesome day filled with songs and hope you all find some awesome parties to link to.

And everyone who has a birthday today wherever you are in the world - Happy Birthday.

Warm Regards