BEFORE THE HIT VERSION. This post: CXXX- YOU DON'T BRING ME FLOWERS. Continues: next week.

BEFORE IT WAS A HIT SONG…

These songs are well known but you may not know about the earlier attempts to score a hit record with prior versions of the same song.

You Don’t Bring Me Flowers

 

"You Don't Bring Me Flowers" is a rare superstar duet that has retained its timeless quality. The combination of Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond, 2 of the best selling performers of the 1970s, proved to be lucrative. Unleashed in 1978, the collaboration reached #1 in America and made the Top 5 in Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

The duet was included on 2 new albums in 1978, 1 by each of its 2 singers: Streisand's 'Greatest Hits Vol. 2' and was the title track from Diamond's latest LP. Despite its immense success, the collaboration came about unexpectedly. 

Both performers had previously recorded the song. Their original interpretations were solo tracks on prior albums. Diamond had cut the original version for his 1977 LP 'I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight'. He had co-written the song with married couple Alan & Marilyn Bergman. It was initially to be used for a TV show. When it was rejected, Diamond expanded it for inclusion on the LP. 

Streisand's remake appeared on her early 1978 album 'Songbird'. A DJ named Gary Guthrie became aware of the 2 solo versions. He decided to splice them together to make an "exclusive" duet for his station WAKY-AM in Kentucky. The unofficial duet was given airplay. When Columbia heard about the response the track generated, the record label arranged for its 2 major acts to cut a duet together. 

Streisand and Diamond re-recorded the song, this time together in the same studio. By year's end, it was ascending the charts. The pair performed the song live at the 1980 Grammy Awards. 

Each new song will be added to the spotify playlist named: ‘Before It Was A Hit Song’.  You can check out the previous earlier / original versions of the hit songs you know and love.

The playlist and other Caffe` Latte` selections can be found at:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #31: SHORT MEMORY. Continues: tomorrow.

CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS

200 SONGS

WITH THE

BEST LYRICS

of all-time.

#31

SHORT MEMORY

“…The story of El Salvador,

the silence of Hiroshima,

destruction of Cambodia,

short memory...”

In 1982, Australian rock group Midnight Oil unleashed its new album entitled '10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1'. The band was known for its political stance and social commentary. "Short Memory" was written by group members Peter Garrett, Rob Hirst and Jim Moginie. 

Lead singer Garrett lists various events which are blights on world history. These include the enslavement of African-Americans, apartheid in South Africa and the dropping of the atom bomb in Japan during World War II. During the chorus, the song title is repeated. What the verses suggest is that humans continue to ignore history. Mankind has been responsible for immense cruelty, yet we continue repeating those errors.

As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte:playlist:7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte/playlist/7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

BEFORE THE HIT VERSION. This post: CXXIX- MISS SUN. Continues: tomorrow.

BEFORE IT WAS A HIT SONG…

These songs are well known but you may not know about the earlier attempts to score a hit record with prior versions of the same song.

Miss Sun

Boz Scaggs included a new track for his compilation album entitled 'Hits!' in 1980. The following year, the single peaked at #14 on the US chart. It was written by David Paich. 

The original version of "Miss Sun" was recorded as a demo. Drawing inspiration from an Al Green greatest hits album, Paich offered his new composition to the other members of the group Toto. Initially, it was slated for the band's debut album, but remained a demo. 

Scaggs' version features members of Toto and female guest vocalist Lisa Dalbello. The latter had previously performed a guest vocal on the Toto demo. "Miss Sun" finally appeared on one of the band's albums: 'Toto XX', in 1998.

 

Each new song will be added to the spotify playlist named: ‘Before It Was A Hit Song’.  You can check out the previous earlier / original versions of the hit songs you know and love.

The playlist and other Caffe` Latte` selections can be found at:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #32: F@!K THA POLICE. Continues: tomorrow.

CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS

200 SONGS

WITH THE

BEST LYRICS

of all-time.

#32

FUCK THA POLICE

“…A young nigga got it bad,

’cause I’m brown

& not the other color,

so the police think

they have the authority

to kill a minority...”

Few protest songs are as raw and filled with brutal realism as N.W.A.'s hip-hop classic "Fuck Tha Police". The track served as the lead single from the rap group's 1988 debut album 'Straight Outta Compton'. 

The song's title immediately provoked controversy. Written by N.W.A. members Ice Cube and MC Ren, the track deals with the discriminatory and cruel behaviour of the police towards African-Americans. It is structured as a testimony from various members of the group. 

While many were repelled by the track's endorsement of violence towards law-enforcers, sadly too many could relate to the experiences included in its verses. Either way, there is no denying that "Fuck Tha Police" is a seminal watershed in hip-hop. 

As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte:playlist:7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte/playlist/7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

BEFORE THE HIT VERSION. This post: CXXVIII- STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT. Continues: tomorrow.

BEFORE IT WAS A HIT SONG…

These songs are well known but you may not know about the earlier attempts to score a hit record with prior versions of the same song.

Strangers In The Night

 

Few would have expected Frank Sinatra to still manage a #1 single by 1966. He had been topping charts around the world since 1940. Ol' Blue Eyes scored a worldwide hit with "Strangers In The Night". It reached #1 in America and Britain and became the title track of his next album in the same year.

"Strangers In The Night" was originally composed for a film. German orchestra leader Bert Kaempfert created the tune for 'A Man Could Get Killed'. The motion picture starring James Garner and Melina Mercouri hit cinemas in 1966. On the soundtrack, Kaempfert's instrumental piece was entitled "Beddy-Bye". 

Lyrics were written up once it was slated for Sinatra to record. His version became the most famous interpretation of the song. It gave Sinatra a chart revival. A year later, he was ruling over the chart again- this time with his daughter Nancy- thanks to the smash "Somethin' Stupid".

 

Each new song will be added to the spotify playlist named: ‘Before It Was A Hit Song’.  You can check out the previous earlier / original versions of the hit songs you know and love.

The playlist and other Caffe` Latte` selections can be found at:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #33: GOD ONLY KNOWS. Continues: tomorrow.

CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS

200 SONGS

WITH THE

BEST LYRICS

of all-time.

#33

GOD ONLY KNOWS

“…God only knows

what I’d be

without you...”

Some songs achieve greatness through simplicity. There are no clever songwriting tricks or flairs to "God Only Knows". It is a no-nonsense love song. This is the key to its enduring quality.

Brian Wilson and Tony Asher co-wrote the lyrics. The beautiful song was included on The Beach Boys' 1966 classic album 'Pet Sounds'. It later served as the B-side for the hit single "Wouldn't It Be Nice". 

Whose heart would not melt hearing the chorus: "God only knows what I'd be without you"? Basic and straight to the point, it delivers a timeless point. 

At the time of its release, some radio stations refused to play the track because it mentioned God in its title. In the decades since, the classic gem has been recognized as one of the finest examples of popular music.

As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte:playlist:7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte/playlist/7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #34: THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL. Continues: tomorrow.

CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS

200 SONGS

WITH THE

BEST LYRICS

of all-time.

#34

THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL

“…I’ve played all my cards

& that’s what

you’ve done too,

nothing more to say,

no more ace to play...”

ABBA consisted of 2 couples. By the end of the group, both had split. "The Winner Takes It All" features lyrics written by Bjorn Ulvaeus. His marriage to fellow bandmate Agnetha Faltskog was over and no doubt helped him pen such a powerful break-up song. The fact that his ex wife performed the dramatic lead vocal added to the song's impact. Benny Andersson composed the music and co-produced the track with Ulvaeus.

The song was included on ABBA's 1980 album 'Super Trouper' as well as being selected as its lead single. In Britain, South Africa and some European countries, the disc reached #1. It also topped the US Adult Contemporary Chart. The single made the Top 10 in America, Canada and Australia.

As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte:playlist:7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte/playlist/7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #88: LIONEL RICHIE. Continues next week.

The Caffé Latté

200

FAVOURITE

MUSIC ACTS

#88

LIONEL RICHIE

We first met Lionel Richie when he was a member of The Commodores. The R&B group provided Motown with smash hits during the 1970s, such as "Three Times A Lady", "Easy", "Still" and "Brick House". 

Richie soon became the pivotal member of The Commodores and the group's principal songwriter. Born in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1949, he was poised for a radical change as the 1980s began.

Richie penned and produced the US #1 single "Lady" for Kenny Rogers in 1980. The following year, "Endless Love"- a duet he wrote, produced and recorded with Diana Ross- outsold any previous single by The Commodores. Reaching #1 in several countries, including the U.S.A., it was the title song from a movie. 

His extra-curricular success caused displeasure from his group. By the end of the year, Richie was ready to quit The Commodores and pursue a solo career. 

'Lionel Richie' marked his solo debut, spawning "Truly", his 1st American #1 in his own right and 2 other Top 10 hits: "You Are" and "My Love". 

In 1983, follow-up album 'Can't Slow Down' , the Album of the Year Grammy winner, topped the US, British, Canadian and Australian charts. The LP contained the 2 #1 singles "All Night Long (All Night)" and "Hello" and a further 3 Top 10 hits: "Stuck On You", "Running With The Night" and "Penny Lover". 

In 1984, Richie performed as part of the Closing Ceremony for the Los Angeles Olympics. Next, Richie co-wrote "We Are The World" with Michael Jackson. The song became a charity disc that reached #1 around the planet and included music royalty such as Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder. It raised millions and closed the legendary global event Live Aid. 

Next, Richie hit #1 with "Say You, Say Me" from the film 'White Nights'. In 1986, he was charting high with "Dancing On The Ceiling", the title track from his #1 album. There was no new music from Richie until 1992 and the 'Back To Front' compilation which brought together his solo and Commodores hits. The album made #1 in Britain, Australia and New Zealand. 

Family issues plagued Richie as his marriage broke down and his father passed away. He returned with new material in 1996. 'Louder Than Words' saw Richie attempting to incorporate new trends. This continued on 1998's 'Time'.

In 2000, 'Renaissance' returned Richie to the UK Top 10. 'Just For You' peaked in the Top 5 in 2004. In the US, 'Coming Home' issued 3 years later, reached #6- his highest charting album there in 20 years. His embrace of modern trends continued on 'Just Go' in 2009, which went Top 10 in Britain. 

Richie topped the American Pop and Country charts in 2012 with 'Tuskegee'. The album consisted of Richie compositions re-interpreted by him and country artists such as Willie Nelson and Shania Twain.

Caffe` Latte`on Spotify

This countdown is on spotify, featuring the latest update and the entire list at:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

89 DUSTY SPRINGFIELD      90 STING

91 KATE CEBERANO    92 DANNY SAUCEDO      93 OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN     

94 ROD STEWART       95 MARY J. BLIGE    96 SANTANA    97 CARLY SIMON

98 EMINEM       99 TAMMI TERRELL    100 FRANK SINATRA    101 JENNIFER HUDSON    

102 BEACH BOYS    103 CHAKA KHAN    104 JOE JACKSON       105 MIKA                              

106 CHRISTINA AGUILERA      107 DAVID GUETTA      108 DESTINY’S CHILD

109 JAMIROQUAI      110 ALISON MOYET      111 LED ZEPPELIN      112 STEVE WINWOOD

113 COMMODORES      114 COLDPLAY      115 SIMPLY RED      116 ONE DIRECTION

117 CAROLE KING      118 R. KELLY      119 EMELI SANDE`      120 QUINCY JONES

121 LADY GAGA      122 ELVIS COSTELLO      123 RAY CHARLES      124 ED SHEERAN

125 NATALIE COLE     126 SMOKEY ROBINSON     127 KANYE WEST     128 ELVIS PRESLEY

129 ERIC BENET      130 SAM SMITH      131 JAMES TAYLOR      132 STEELY DAN

133 IKE & TINA TURNER      134 DES’REE      135 ACE OF BASE      136 VAN MORRISON

137 SAM COOKE      138 THE DOORS      139 AMY WINEHOUSE      140 PHARRELL

141 GEORGE BENSON      142 MINNIE RIPERTON       143 VILLAGE PEOPLE

144 CURTIS MAYFIELD      145 FOREIGNER      146 EURYTHMICS      147 TOTO

148 BARRY WHITE      149 CARL RISELEY      150 TONI BRAXTON     151 NEIL DIAMOND

152 HALL & OATES     153 LUTHER VANDROSS     154 ERIC CLAPTON     155 THE O’JAYS

156 RUMER      157 SLY & THE FAMILY STONE      158 LITTLE RICHARD

159 HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES      160 CHRIS ISAAK

161 MICHAEL McDONALD      162 GLORIA GAYNOR      163 TWENTY ONE PILOTS

164 BEN E. KING     165 MEAT LOAF     166 JAMES REYNE     167 JOAN ARMATRADING

168 SADE    169 A-HA    170 GLEN CAMPBELL    171 DIRE STRAITS    172 COLD CHISEL

173 LINDA RONSTADT      174 ANTHONY CALLEA      175 LISA STANSFIELD

176 EN VOGUE      177 MICHAEL BUBLE`      178 TRACY CHAPMAN      179 DRAGON

180 OLETA ADAMS      181 LITTLE RIVER BAND      182 SOPHIE ELLIS – BEXTOR

183 THE RONETTES      184 CERRONE      185 MODELS      186 SCISSOR SISTERS

187 DARREN HAYES      188 PETULA CLARK      189 MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS

190 LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY      191 ART GARFUNKEL      192 THE REELS

193 JANIS IAN      194 JOHN PAUL YOUNG      195 S CLUB 7      196 CHARLIE PUTH

197 THE MARVELETTES      198 ICEHOUSE      199 LEO SAYER      200 LIZA MINNELLI