It seems we are losing so many of our well-known songwriters/singers these days. Some are more well known than others. Mark Volman just died yesterday in Nashville at the age of 78. May in rest in peace and love. You might not know the name, but he was one of the founding members of the Turtles. One of their biggest hits was " Happy Together" from 1967. I found a very good video of this song, and I hope you can see it above. (It begins with the band in silhouette at the beginning and ends the same way.) Mark Volman is the one with the glasses and frizzy hair and to me, seems to be "the funny one". He plays around a bit when he is at the microphone with the lead singer, Howard Kaylen). Reading about him, it seems that I am correct, he had a lot of joy in his work and life. (Also, look up the song "Eleanore". We had that single as kids in 1968 and almost wore it out!)
The Turtles were unusual at the time as they could not only write their own songs and play their own instruments, but they also covered other songs and made them into hit records. "Happy Together" had been rejected by so many that the demo was worn out and very scratchy. The Turtles could hear the potential and decided to take a chance. Aren't we glad they did! It went to number one and knocked "Penny Lane" by the Beatles off the top of the charts. ("Penny Lane" only reached number two on the charts in the UK. this is a fact that some Beatles fans still can't get over!)
"If I should call you up, invest a dime" refers to putting a thin dime into a pay phone in the 1960's. I guess we will have to explain this to several generations now, but no one has to explain it to me, I remember this very well!
Thinking of "Penny Lane", I must tell you that every time I see a fire truck on the road, I almost always sing, "He likes to keep his fire engine clean, it's a clean machine!" which of course, is from the song "Penny Lane"! Americans say "fire trucks" but if you look on the side of the vehicle it will inform you that it is in fact ENGINE # 347 (or whatever number it is). So, now you know that we say fire trucks here but in the UK they call them fire engines.
Oh, I found the best video for you! It is Elvis Costello, and he is performing the song at the White House. (Sir Paul McCartney is seated beside President Obama). You can feel the love and respect in this performance, I promise.
Now. "Happy Together".... listen to it. You will either be singing along or tapping your foot, same thing for "Penny Lane". They are both wonderful songs.
September is here! I always have a spring in my step in September! I mustn't be too sprightly though; I might step on a butterfly! Watch out for butterflies and all living creatures. Take care everyone.
Gorgeous butterfly !!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend !
Anna
Thank you, Anna! Same to you.
DeleteBeautiful ❤️ photo and I love this Turtles song.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is the best photographer and he allows me to share them here. You know I love this song too!
DeleteI love that song! And I know about the dime in the pay phone too.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful butterfly.
Thanks, and like I said, kids these days wouldn't even know how to dial a phone, let alone put a coin into one!
DeleteThat's a cracking black butterfly. I remember all the artists and songs. One I didn't remember was one I heard recently. Drops of Jupiter by Train which was released in 2001 but due to the space themed lyrics I assumed was a 1960s song until I looked it up. Learning all the time. And I still like your Georgia sisters band Larkin Poe.
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember that song by Train. I just looked it up, I had no idea that the lead singer had written it about his mother after she had died of cancer. He said the words "In the atmosphere with drops of Jupiter in her hair" came to him in a dream. Lovely. I didn't know that either, so thank you! I see that those sisters are indeed from Georgia, from Calhoun, Georgia, which is well known for Buc -ee's. If you want to know how over the top Americans can be, that is a very good example! (Most love that place but it is not for me!)
DeleteEC sang wonderfully. You and I have similar tastes in music.
ReplyDeleteAh, so nice to meet another with exquisite taste.
DeleteThey say 'the song remembers when'. Love the butterfly.
ReplyDeleteYes, listen to Trish Yearwood, a fellow Georgian sing that song!
DeleteThat first video is so funny!! I knew the song well but had never seen the video until now. Love the clothes, hair, glasses... and yes, Mark Volman is all with it, dancing around, almost using his horn like a tambourine and obviously having tons of fun.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I love September. It is a beautiful month here, with summerly temperatures during the day but pleasantly cool nights, and anticipating the full glory of autumn.
Yes! That video IS funny, so glad you could see it! I didn't say too much about it, I just wanted to let folks see it on their own. Ah, anticipating the full glory of autumn, I love the sound of that!
Delete(And I am certain that you have told me the German for what you call a fire engine. Is it a very long word that you shorten to HDF or something like that? I could be confused! LOL)
Fire engine in German is Feuerwehrauto. Auto is short for automobile, and Feuer is of course fire. So, literally, we call it "fire defense car". As far as I'm aware, there is no acronym for it, and I wouldn't know what HDF stands for.
DeleteI found my notes on it. A specialized fire engine with lots of rescue equipment aboard is called hilfeleistungsloschgruppenfahrzeug. HLF for short. No wonder they shorten it. LOL!
DeleteI have never been much into pop culture so I am at a bit of a loss with this account, but I am glad that happy memories of that era have been rekindled for you. The weekend is almost over. Enjoy what remains!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Ha, you sound like me when I someone is telling me about electronic music or rap music or hip hop! LOL! To each his own, I always say. Just recently, I had the pleasure of holding a baby and the very first song that popped into my head was "Come Back To Sorrento". The baby liked me humming that tune!
DeleteRemembering the pay phone here, as well...memories.
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
And I also miss the big red phone booths in England, can't remember if they called them booths but they were lovely.
DeleteTwo great songs! I always loved Penny Lane. September is Spring in Australia, so we certainly are in the mood as the flowers burst into bloom.
ReplyDeleteOH yes, of course, your spring begins in September! How wonderful! You are looking forward to Spring. Take care. xx
DeleteI like and remember both of the songs you mentioned. I do love butterflies, but it is a dark rainy morning here and there are none around here's this moment.
ReplyDeleteThe butterflies will return when the sun comes back out, I promise! xx
DeleteThat’s such a fun connection 🎶🚒! I love how songs can make everyday things memorable—next time I see a fire truck (or engine!) I’ll probably sing along too. Interesting tidbit about the UK terminology—it’s always cool to see how language differs even for the same thing.
ReplyDeletenanajee.com
Yes! I am married to a Brit and even though we have been married for many years, we still have to explain different words to each other!
DeleteSuch wonderful music and memories, it is very sad to know so many great musicians and music writers are gone.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad but we will always have their music. For always.
DeleteUffington and Farnborough are two other churches associated with him
ReplyDeletehttps://thechurchexporer.blogspot.com/2019/03/st-mary-uffington.html
https://thechurchexporer.blogspot.com/2017/01/all-saints-farnborough.html
Though looking at my photos I shall have to pop back to the latter.
The place he lived in Wantage I have walked past but did not know it was where he lived
Can't say I remember the Turtles that well but did like Elvis Costello. Funny enough Dexies Midnight Runners come to mind for some reason with Geno and believe or not I did see Geno Washington play back in 1971, it was Awsome
Oh, I loved the Sir John Betjeman window at the church in Farmborough! It's lovely. I did some research on Elvis Costello. Did you know his father did a TV ad in the 70's and Elvis Costello is singing in the background? It was "I'm A Secret Lemonade Drinker". Its on YouTube! You might remember it. Little things like that amuse me.
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