Hello! As you may have guessed from the name of this blog, my name is Liz and I am fascinated by song lyrics. I hope you enjoy my waxing lyrical about lyrics and about music generally. I also review albums and gigs and have interviewed several wonderful musicians. Enjoy!
I'm pleased to tell you that my review of Shane Filan's new album Right Here has been published on The Mancunion.
I'd like to mention that the review has been edited in a way that makes me appear much more critical of the album than I actually was. In reality I found it made quite enjoyable listening.
I have recently come back from a lovely trip to Ireland - one of the best things that's happened to me in a long time. It was so nice to see my family, to attend my uncle's beautiful wedding, and simply to have a change of scene.
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We were based in Limerick, a city I adore and which featured in my list of Top 5 River Cities for the Cuckoo Review. It is especially gorgeous at this time of year, and I enjoyed wandering around eating crêpes and photographing swans on the River Shannon.
Swan
We also spent a day in Galway, where my father was born, and I liked it a lot - I love being near the sea. We met up with a couple of old friends, which was really nice.
Salthill, Galway
Much time over the week was spent making bracelets and Despicable Me minions from loom bands! It was a brilliant holiday and, of course, I heard many songs that will now always bring me back there.
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Firstly, Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl played both on the radio while we were driving somewhere, and at the wedding.
Every single time I hear the beginning of this, I think it is I Can See Clearly Now, and then I'm surprised when it's not! Fortunately, I prefer Van!
I am a big Morrison fan - I love his song The Queen of the Slipstream - yet this, perhaps his joint best known song with Moondance, sort of passed me by when I was younger. I heard bits and pieces of it, but never sat down and listened to it properly.
I really like it now, though, and it will forever remind me of dancing at the wedding. Whenever I hear it I will wish I had someone else to hand to dance with!
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Another song from the wedding is Neil Diamond's Cracklin' Rosie.
I first encountered this on Stars in Their Eyes. I liked it. Then I heard the original, which to me sounded like a completely different song! Not singing-wise - the Stars in Their Eyes guy was pretty good if I remember rightly - the melody just seemed different.
Nevertheless, I do still like it, and will now always associate it with one particular anecdote.
It was the wedding reception, at a hotel in Limerick, and I was sitting in the bar with various relatives, chatting. I decided to go outside for some air. I hadn't realised it was raining, but I didn't mind.
Then I discovered that the door was locked from the inside and I couldn't get in again. I could hear Cracklin' Rosie being played inside, which I was pleased about. I didn't mind being out at all; it was quite atmospheric. The night was blue and the rain was light and it was really nice.
I wasn't there for long before one of the hotel staff found me and let me back in. It was a fun, unique experience - and one I will remember!
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A third song that I heard a lot as it was on the music channels frequently is Chandelier by Sia.
I was doing a shift volunteering at the Book-Cycle - like a free library/bookshop - and I heard the first few bars of this and was unimpressed. Then I heard the whole thing and I was impressed. It suits her voice and it is really nice and quite different to other sings in the charts at the moment.
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I had a wonderful week in Ireland and it gave me some amazing memories - connected, as always, to music. The story of my life.
And if you are wondering what the "cake" in the title refers to, we had two amazing cakes - the wedding cake, which was delicious and stunningly decorated, and a cake which my Granma bought to celebrate the summer birthdays among my family, of which there are a lot! That was lovely as well.
The wedding cake, designed by Gill Corrigan
The summer birthdays cake!
Thanks for reading,
Liz x
Songs: Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison - 1967
Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond - 1970
Chandelier - Sia - 2014
I'm still on my Easter holidays and am enjoying having some rest and relaxation. Last weekend I went with my family to Northumberland for a few days, and I wanted to tell you about the trip, through, as always, music.
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Firstly, the way there was as much an adventure as the stay itself: the scenery was beautiful and an unexpected road diversion meant we had to go a very long-winded route that brought us even more moody views of mountains, lakes and heathland. It was very atmospheric.
We listened to two different compilations of 00s music. Here are some of the highlights:
This song always reminds me of a friend's birthday party I went to when I was young. Very nostalgic!
I remember Pop Idol being the first talent show I ever experienced, when I watched the last few shows and the final. I wanted Will to win and was so glad when he did.
I also did a post about Westlife's song Flying Without Wings.
This has inspired me to do a whole post about Dido, so watch this space!
Ah, the memories!
We also listened to the radio and this song played.
It is so typically Coldplay. If asked to identify the band you wouldn't hesitate a minute. While I'm not completely bewitched by it (see what I did there) I do find it quite pretty, and it will now always remind me of our journey to Northumberland.
I also found out through research for this blog that it was released on my 20th birthday!
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When we got there, we explored Kielder Water and the surrounding woodland - it's very scenic and peaceful. We also did some stargazing as the skies were dark and clear, and the moon was incredibly beautiful.
The first line from Annie's Song sprung to mind on more than one occasion.
"You fill up my senses, like a night in the forest."
For a while this was the only line I knew in the song, and I was almost disappointed when I heard that the song consists of similar analogies. For me, that one analogy was enough. "A night in the forest" on its own is such a powerful, evocative, lustrous image that I don't see the need for any others, although I do find the rest of the song very lovely.
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We also visited a bird of prey centre, where we saw some amazing owls and falcons. Let me share one of my favourite songs about flying. I hope to do a whole blog post about flying songs soon.
A talented singer performed this song at my school talent show; that was the first time I heard it and I immediately liked it. It remains one of my favourite songs.
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We saw lots of birds in the wild - chaffinches, a siskin, ducks and crows - as well as a red squirrel, rabbits - lots of rabbits -, deer and wallabies. Yes, wallabies.
We visited a castle, got lost in a maze and sat in a giant artwork.
The artwork
Our trip finally ended, and we drove home, going through Scotland this time. This song came on the radio. At the time, I thought I'd never heard it before, but now I think I may have done; I have a bit of déjà vu.
I really like it; it's very simple but I love simple love songs. It goes without saying that Heather Small's voice is amazing.
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Our weekend was brilliant and really refreshing, and one I'll always remember. I hope we can return to Northumberland in the future.
Last night I stumbled upon Flying Without Wings by Westlife.
From what I had heard of this in the past I used to find it cheesy in the extreme, but listening to it properly I... I really like it. The lyrics aren't mindblowing but are very pretty...
"Some find it sharing every morning,
Some in the solitary night..."
I especially love the last verse:
"For me, it's waking up beside you,
To watch the sunrise on your face..."
Cheesy and not very original, I know, but I really do like it and would love to sing this song at karaoke one day... Maybe I will if I can get someone else to sing it with me as I think it would work wonderfully as a duet.
And what's my special thing that helps me fly without wings? I don't know if I can pinpoint one thing. Maybe simply the beauty of this earth. My family, friends, my cat, the stars, the sea, sunset skies, the cool breeze in the evening, that smell when it's about to rain...
Well, today is the first of July, and I have had a very busy day training for my Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition which I will be going on this month. In training we learnt first aid, navigation techniques and how to pack a rucksack properly - although I did remember the rucksack bit from the last expedition I went on!
I've been on many Duke of Edinburgh's Award (D of E) expeditions - I have achieved the Silver Award and am now working towards my Gold Award. For readers overseas who may not be familiar with this award, it involves doing, on a regular basis across a period of time: voluntary work, a sport or physical activity and a skill.
We also have to go on a series of camping expeditions in places like the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales (both very beautiful parts of the world). For the Gold Award we also have to go on a residential course in which we do some sort of volunteering.
I really enjoy working towards my D of E, because I get to learn new skills and I have made lots of great friends in the process. And if I achieve my Gold Award it will be presented to me at one of the royal Palaces by either the Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Philip, the Queen's husband) or the Earl of Wessex (Prince Edward, the Queen's youngest son). Which would be absolutely amazing!
There are many songs which I associate with D of E expeditions for various reasons; usually because I hear them on the minibus on the way there and they become stuck in my head for the whole trip! But sometimes, they are just songs that felt particularly relevant and which I just keep playing again and again in my head to keep me going on the harder days when it rains on us or I'm homesick or everyone's exhausted.
Days like that can be so hard. But for every moment when you think you are going to give up, there is a moment of magic; reaching the top of a mountain and gazing down at the view below; seeing the sun break through the clouds after the rain; seeing gorgeous baby lambs frolicking; chatting and laughing as a group; wandering through long, waving grass with the wind in your hair; those moments that make it all worthwhile and make you say to yourself; "I am so happy I chose to do this."
One D of E song for me was Linger by the Cranberries.
I feel I should tell you that although the full video is worth watching properly when you have time; if you are in a rush you can skip to about thirty five seconds in, which is when the song actually begins.
I had known this song before, but was reminded of it when it came on the radio in the minibus before what was, if I remember rightly, my very first Silver expedition to the Yorkshire Dales. I love this song - it was on a cassette tape that my family used to play in our car (yes, along with the Cure, for those who read my last blog entry!) when my brother and I were younger.
The song on the cassette was a live version and Dolores O'Riordan did a lot of working the crowd, shouting, "I wanna hear you!" and whatnot towards the end of the song; something that always amused my brother and me.
Hearing the song again on the minibus on the way to D of E put a smile on my face, and I was chuffed that I could remember it as it had been ages since I'd last heard it.
It is a beautiful song, and Dolores O'Riordan has a unique and very lovely voice. This song is also quite unique, I think - unique and haunting and a pleasure to listen to. It is nearly twenty years old; something I cannot believe. It has not lost any of its beauty - I believe that it will always be perfect and precious and quite simply a stunning song.
I will probably end up writing more about D of E songs over this month - as well as just about songs I love generally. For those of you who don't know, I have challenged myself to blog every day that it is possible to (ie whenever I am at home with Internet access) in July.
It will keep the blog full of new content for you to read, and will also be writing practice for me - I love writing and would love to be a full-time writer or author one day in the future.
I cannot do a Eurovision blog without celebrating Ireland as arguably the most successful nation of all time when it comes to Eurovision. They have won seven times - the most any country has ever won the competition. And it is from Ireland that hails the only man to have won Eurovision twice as a performer: Johnny Logan.
On top of this, Logan has also written the winning song on a third occasion; this time it was performed by Linda Martin. This means Logan has won three Eurovision titles, as either performer, songwriter or both, which is something that has never been achieved before or since.
Ireland's first Eurovision victory came in 1970 with "All Kinds of Everything," performed by Dana.
Now, I had heard this song long before I knew it had been a Eurovision song (this was all before my time) and I hadn't liked it very much. I found the song somewhat annoying, although I had to admit she had a very good voice. I heard it on a CD and had no idea how young she was either; finding out that she was only nineteen has impressed me as her voice sounds like that of a grown woman with a lot of singing experience.
The lyrics of the song are also quite pretty. It's just the tune that I'm not keen on. However, I have to concede that if it won for Ireland that has to be a good thing (I am half Irish, so I do feel some loyalty towards them in Eurovision. However, I don't indulge in "neighbourly" voting! I vote for what I feel is the best song on the night).
The next time Ireland won Eurovision was ten years later, in 1980, with the first of Johnny Logan's winning performances, "What's Another Year." I do like this song, though I much prefer his second winner, in 1987, "Hold Me Now."
What's another year is quite nice and bouncy and bittersweet. And I cannot help but be reminded of Claude François with both the look and the sound. Overall I really like it, but as I said, "Hold Me Now" is certainly my favourite. I know it is somewhat generic as a love song and as a Eurovision song, but I still love it!
"Time,
Time will be kind once we're apart."
And,
"...forever in love.
What do you say when words are not enough?"
These are probably my favourite lyrics. I just can't stop listening to this song. It's amazing ♥
The next event that occurred for Ireland Eurovision-wise was the phenomenon of winning three years in a row, which has never been achieved by any other country.
The first of these victories was in 1992, with Linda Martin and the song, "Why Me?" which was, again, written by Johnny Logan. I think this man had found the winning formula by this point for writing a successful Eurovision song - he had written "Hold Me Now" which won, and he had previously written "Terminal 3," for Linda Martin, which came second in the 1984 competition.
Here is Why Me?
I feel I should mention that this contest took place in Sweden, which I guess might explain the large Viking ship in the background.
I like this song, but not as much as Hold Me Now. Nevertheless, I think Linda has a good voice and the lyrics are nice, especially the opening lines:
"Sometimes I watch you passing by my window.
And sometimes I watch you passing through my dreams."
Pretty ♥
The next year, 1993, was won by what has become quite possibly my favourite Eurovision winning song. It is beautiful, haunting and performed by a wonderful singer. It is "In Your Eyes," by Niamh Kavanagh.
The first clip is the song at Eurovision; the second is the music video, which I really like, but which I feel somehow adds to the dark and spooky feel of the song.
I find the song absolutely beautiful though, and I love her voice. I saw an interview with her from when she represented Ireland in Norway in 2010 (more on that later) and she came across as a thoroughly pleasant and down to earth person, which is nice.
I think this is one of the most worthy Eurovision winners there has ever been, and I especially love how it is not a generic Eurovision song - not a bouncy, upbeat number nor a crowd-pleasing ballad. This song is unique; it is a love song but with a slightly dark tone to it, and it is sung with such honesty and emotion. I love Niamh Kavanagh and I love this song.
"In your eyes, I see the light, leading me home again.
It's heaven in your arms my love; my heart is in your hands.
In your eyes, seems so right, I see forever in your smile,
This woman is a child again, when I look in your eyes."
I love the musicianship of this song too. There is a lot of debate about whether to bring back the live orchestra to Eurovision finals and I think this song is proof that an orchestra can really work and really add something quite special to a song.
The next year Ireland won was 1994, the year I was born. They won with "Rock 'n' Roll Kids," from Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan. It was written by Brendan Graham, who also wrote the 1996 winner, "The Voice," by Eimear Quinn. I find this very strange, as the two songs are so incredibly different that I find it hard to believe that they were written by the same person.
I think Roll n Roll Kids is quite a nice, sweet song, and The Voice I like; but I don't really have any strong feelings about song either, I'm afraid. My favourite Irish Eurovision winners have to be Hold Me Now and In Your Eyes.
1996 was the last time Ireland won Eurovision, but they have since entered some very good songs, such as It's For You, again by Niamh Kavanagh, which was entered into Eurovision 2010 in Norway. This I just adore:
She hasn't changed a bit; still incredibly beautiful and talented. I also greatly enjoyed this interview from the competition:
She seems nice and the song is lovely. It's such a disgrace that she came third from last, but we all know that sadly, nowadays Eurovision voting is rarely based around song quality.
Of course, like last year in Düsseldorf, this year we will again have the indescribable joy of watching Jedward represent Ireland at Eurovision. I am somewhat cynical about this; once was amusing and actually quite a good idea because they suit classic upbeat Eurovision songs; but twice? Surely Europe have seen enough of them! This was my reaction to finding out that they would be Ireland's Eurovision entry in Baku this year.
However, something very strange happened: I listened to the song and I actually really liked it. Which I find hard to believe, but it's true. I've actually listened to it quite a lot since discovering it. I will let you make your own decision on it:
I also thought I'd take the time to say that I really like the Eurovision graphics for this year. Pretty and sparkly ♥
Anyway, Jedward: On the one hand, I'm sure there are a million people in Ireland more talented than them. On the other hand: this song is bouncy, upbeat, happy and could actually win Eurovision. Hmm. Not sure what to think.
Anyway, that is Ireland's Eurovision story so far. I hope they can triumph many more times in this competition, because they certainly seem to have a knack for winning it!
And there is always the best Irish Eurovision entry that never was: My Lovely Horse, from Father Ted.
This should have been entered one year, it might actually have won! The perfect Eurovision song.
Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed this journey through Ireland's Eurovision history; they can almost certainly be called the most successful Eurovision nation ever, which makes me very proud of my Irish heritage.
That being said, the UK haven't done that badly either in Eurovision over the years... I will definitely also do a blog entry on the UK's Eurovision history at some point during the countdown.
For now, thank you for reading my blog, and I hope you enjoyed it.
Nine days to go until the first semi-final!
Eleven days to go until the second semi-final!
Thirteen days to go until the final!
Bring on Baku!
Liz x
Songs:
All Kinds of Everything - Dana - 1970
What's another Year? - Johnny Logan - 1980
Hold Me Now - Johnny Logan - 1987
Why Me? - Linda Martin - 1992
In Your Eyes - Niamh Kavanagh - 1993
Rock 'n' Roll Kids - Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan - 1994
