The theme for SLS this week is the theme is to find a song that was written for a movie suggested by Nancy and prompted by Jim.
Stardust is a 1974 British musical drama film directed by Michael Apted and starring David Essex, Adam Faith, and Larry Hagman. It is the sequel to the 1973 film That’ll Be The Day, which introduced the characters of Jim MacLaine and his street-smart friend Mike Menary. It chronicles Jim’s rise and fall as an international rock star during the 1960s and early 1970s, with Mike as his personal manager. It features a number of pop/rock performers, including Essex, Faith, Keith Moon, Marty Wilde, Dave Edmunds, Paul Nicholas and Edd Byrnes.
The film does feel rather dated now, as does the sequel but at the time I did enjoy both and still have both soundtracks on vinyl.
The final week for the month of March to find a group or solo singer starting with the letter E or F
Editors are an English rock band, formed in 2002 in Birmingham. Previously known as Pilot, The Pride and Snowfield, the band currently consists of Tom Smith (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Russell Leetch (bass guitar, synthesiser, backing vocals), Ed Lay (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Justin Lockey (lead guitar), Elliott Williams (keys, synthesizers, guitars, and backing vocals), and Benjamin John Power (composer and producer).
Editors have so far released two platinum studio albums, and seven in total, with several million combined sales. Their debut album The Back Room was released in 2005. It contained the hits “Munich” and “Blood” and the following year received a Mercury Prize nomination.
Their follow-up album An End Has a Start went to number 1 in the UK Album Chart in June 2007 and earned the band a Brit Awards nomination for best British Band. It also spawned another Top 10 hit single, “Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors”. The band’s third album, In This Light and in This Evening, was released in October 2009 and went straight to number 1 in the UK Album Chart. The album featured the single “Papillon” The band released their fourth studio album, The Weight of Our Love, in July 2013, followed by self-produced In Dream in October 2015. In 2018, the band released their sixth album Violence. Their seventh album, EBM, was released in September 2022.
[Verse 1] Make our escape You’re my own papillon The world turns too fast Feel love before it’s gone It kicks like a sleep twitch My Papillon, feel love when it shone
[Refrain] It kicks like a sleep twitch
[Chorus] Darling Just don’t put down your guns yet If there really was a God here He’d have raised a hand by now Now darling You’re born, get old and die here
Well that’s quiet enough for me
We’ll find our own way home somehow
[Verse 2] No sense of doubt Or what you could achieve Well I’ve found you out I’ve seen the life you wish to leave But when it kicks like a sleep twitch You will choke Choke on the air you try to breathe
[Refrain] It kicks like a sleep twitch
[Chorus] Darling Now just don’t put down your guns yet If there really was a God here He’d have raised a hand by now Darling You’re born, get old and die here Well that’s quite enough for me, dear We’ll find our own way home somehow How, how?
[Refrain] It kicks like a sleep twitch It kicks like a sleep twitch
[Chorus] Darling Just don’t put down your guns yet If there really was a God here He’d have raised a hand by now Darling Oh, you’re born, get old and die here Well that’s quite enough for me, dear We’ll find our own way home somehow
[Refrain] It kicks like a sleep twitch
[Outro] It kicks like a sleep twitch
Writer(s): Christopher Urbanowicz, Thomas Smith, Russell Leetch, Edward Lay
The theme of SLS this week is a song about children or families. Thanks to Jim and Nancy.
Moonchild is a song originally performed by the prog rock band; King Crimson. It was originally on their 1969 debut album; ‘The Court of The Crimson King’ as part of a three-piece suite.
Call her moonchild Dancing in the shallows of a river Lonely moonchild Dreaming in the shadow Of the willow
Talking to the trees of the cobweb strange Sleeping on the steps of a fountain Waving silver wands to the night-birds song Waiting for the sun on the mountain
She’s a moonchild Gathering the flowers in a garden Lovely moonchild Drifting in the echoes of the hours
Sailing on the wind in a milk white gown Dropping circle stones on a sun dial Playing hide and seek with the ghosts of dawn Waiting for a smile from a sun child
The third Tuesday in March for MMB means the theme is still finding a group or solo singer beginning with the letter E or F
American synth-pop band Future Islands have released seven studio albums, six extended plays (EPs), 23 singles and 15 music videos. Future Islands was formed in Greenville, North Carolina but relocated to Baltimore, Maryland in 2008. It consists of John Gerrit Welmers (keyboards), William H. Cashion (bass guitar), and Samuel T. Herring (vocals). The band included Erick Murillo (drums) up until November 2007.
I remember when I first heard of the band when they performed Seasons (Waiting On You) on ‘Later… with Jools Holland’ show in 2014 (see video). I thought they were superb and I couldn’t take my eyes of the singer and the bass was booming, so I bought their album ‘Singles’ soon after.
Seasons change And I’ve tried hard just to soften you The seasons change But I’ve grown tired trying to change for you ‘Cause I’ve been waiting on you I’ve been waiting on you ‘Cause I’ve been waiting on you I’ve been weighing on you
As it breaks, the summer will wake But the winter will wash what is left, of the taste As it breaks, the summer will warm But the winter will crave what has gone Will crave what has all Gone away
People change But you know some people never do You know, when people change They gain a peace, but they lose one too ‘Cause I’ve been hanging on you I’ve been waiting on you ‘Cause I’ve been waiting on you I’ve been hanging on you
As it breaks, the summer will wake But the winter will wash what is left, of the taste As it breaks, the summer will warm But the winter will crave what has gone Will crave what has gone Will crave what has all Gone away
The theme of SLS this week is a song related to either war or peace. Thanks once again to Jim Adams for the prompt.
This is a rather poignant song by one of my favourite singer/songwriter’s. The original track is from Ian’s 2002 album; ‘The Gentleman’s Adventurer’.
When I was just a young boy, My mother said to me Would you like to come to town today, And keep me company We walked around department stores, She bought me lots of sweets She bought the things a family needs, And bought herself a treat She asked me if I wanted anything at all As we walked outside a junk shop, just behind the old town hall So I looked into the window, and displayed there to my glee Was a German Soldiers Helmet circa 1943
I asked if I could have it, And she looked horrified She must have thought about the war, And all those who had died She said we’d ask my father, And grabbed me by my hand So I went home to tell my Dad, I knew he’d understand Cos he fought in the desert, It’s what he had to do Imagine what it would be like, If it were me or you So he gave me ten pounds fifty, The asking price you see For the German Soldiers Helmet circa 1943
The years have passed so quickly, And nothing is the same And I’ve moved home so many times, But no one is to blame I never thought about it, I never had the time Playing this crazy rock and roll, I nearly lost my mind But just the other evening, Beneath the cellar stairs I banged my knee on something hard, I gave a little curse I shone my torch into the dark, And guess what I did see… A German Soldiers Helmet circa 1943
Thanks Mum and Dad for buying me this piece of history
Words and music by Ian McNabb (acoustic guitar/vocal). Copyright Control
The month of March (2nd week) MMB theme is to find a group or solo artist beginning with E or F
“Insomnia” is a song by British electronic musical dance group Faithless. Released as the band’s second single, it became one of their most successful. It was originally released in 1995 and reached number 27 on the UK Singles Chart, topping the UK Dance Chart in the process. When re-released in October 1996, the song achieved a new peak of number three in the United Kingdom and topped the charts of Finland, Norway, and Switzerland, as well as the American and Canadian dance charts. It also featured on their 1996 debut album, Reverence.
“Insomnia” was voted by Mixmag readers as the fifth greatest dance record of all time in 2013. It was certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in 2023. The song features the late Maxi Jazz rapping from the point of view of an insomniac while he struggled to sleep. It’s the driving instrumental part that really makes it memorable.
The lyrics seem to be slightly different in the ‘live’ version.
I can’t get no sleep
I can’t get no sleep
I need to sleep, I can’t get no sleep
Deep in the bosom of the gentle night Is when I search for the light Pick up my pen and start to write I struggle and fight dark forces in the clear moonlight Without fear Insomnia
I can’t get no sleep
I can’t get no sleep
I used to worry, thought I was going mad in a hurry Gettin’ stressed, makin’ excess mess in darkness No electricity, something’s all over me, greasy Insomnia, please release me and let me dream Of makin’ mad love to my girl on the heath Tearin’ off tights with my teeth
But there’s no release, no peace I toss and turn without cease Like a curse, open my eyes, rise like yeast. At least a couple of weeks Since I last slept, kept takin’ sleepers But now I keep myself pep Deeper still, the night I write by candlelight, I find insight Fundamental movement
So when it’s black This insomnia takin’-original-tack(?) Keep the beast in my nature Under ceaseless attack… I gets no sleep
This week the theme of SLS is to find a song about God or the afterlife suggested by Nancy aka The Sicilian Storyteller. Hosted by Jim Andrews.
‘God is in The House’ is a touching song performed by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds on what is one of my favourite TV shows; ‘Later….With Jools Holland’. The original can be found on Cave’s 2001 album; ‘No More Shall We Part’.
We’ve laid the cables and the wires We’ve split the wood and stoked the fires We’ve lit our town so there is no Place for crime to hide Our little church is painted white And in the safety of the night We all go quiet as a mouse For the word is out That God is in the house God is in the house God is in the house No cause for worry now God is in the house
Moral sneaks in the White House Computer geeks in the school house Drug freaks in the crack house We don’t have that stuff here We have a tiny little force Yeah, but we need them of course For the kittens in the trees And at night we are on our knees As quiet as a mouse For God is in the house God is in the house God is in the house And no one’s left in doubt God is in the house
Homos roaming the streets in packs Queer bashers with tyre-jacks Lesbian counter-attacks That stuff is for the big cities Our town is very pretty We have a pretty little square We have a woman for a mayor Our policy is firm but fair Now that God is in the house God is in the house God is in the house Any day now He’ll come out God is in the house
Well-meaning little therapists Goose-stepping twelve-stepping Teatotalitarianists The tipsy, the reeling and the drop down pissed We got no time for that stuff here Zero crime and no fear We’ve bred all our kittens white So that you can see them in the night And at night we’re on our knees As quiet as a mouse Since the word got out From the North down to the South For no-one’s left in doubt There’s no fear about If we all hold hands and very quietly shout Hallelujah God is in the house Oh I wish He would come out God is in the house
We are now in March (where did February go?) and it’s the start of using the letters E and/or F for the month. Find a group or solo artist that begins with one of those letters.
Echo & the Bunnymen is an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson. By 1980, Pete De Freitas joined as the band’s drummer.
Their 1980 debut album Crocodiles (my favourite) went into the top 20 of the U.K. Albums Chart. After releasing their second album Heaven Up Here in 1981, the band’s cult status was followed by mainstream success in the UK in 1983 when they scored a UK Top 10 hit with “The Cutter”, and the album which the song came from, Porcupine, hit number 2 in the UK. Ocean Rain (1984), continued the band’s UK chart success with its lead single “The Killing Moon” entering into the top 10.
After they released a self-titled album in 1987, McCulloch left the band and was replaced by singer Noel Burke. In 1989, de Freitas was killed in a motorcycle accident. After working together as Electrafixion, McCulloch and Sergeant regrouped with Pattinson in 1997 and returned as Echo & the Bunnymen, before Pattinson’s departure in 1998. The band has done some touring and released several albums since the late 1990s to varying degrees of success.
Under blue moon, I saw you So soon you’ll take me Up in your arms, too late to beg you Or cancel it, though I know it must be The killing time Unwillingly mine
Fate Up against your will Through the thick and thin He will wait until You give yourself to him
In starlit nights, I saw you So cruelly, you kissed me Your lips, a magic world Your sky, all hung with jewels The killing moon Will come too soon
Fate Up against your will Through the thick and thin He will wait until You give yourself to him
Under blue moon, I saw you So soon you’ll take me Up in your arms, too late to beg you Or cancel it, though I know it must be The killing time Unwillingly mine
Fate Up against your will Through the thick and thin He will wait until You give yourself to him
Fate Up against your will Through the thick and thin He will wait until You give yourself to him You give yourself to him
La La, la, la, la La, la, la, la La, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la, la
Fate Up against your will Through the thick and thin He will wait until You give yourself to him You give yourself to him
La, la La, la, la, la, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la, la, la La, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la, la
Fate Up against your will Through the thick and thin He will wait until You give yourself to him
Fate Up against your will Through the thick and thin He will wait until You give yourself to him
The theme of SLS this week is to find a song that was based on true events, suggested by Nancy aka The Sicilian Storyteller.
“Sunday Bloody Sunday” is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the opening track from their 1983 album War and was released as the album’s third single on 21 March 1983 in Holland and West Germany. “Sunday Bloody Sunday” is noted for its military drumbeat, harsh guitar, and melodic harmonies. One of U2’s most overtly political songs, its lyrics describe the horror felt by an observer of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, mainly focusing on the 1972 Bloody Sunday incident in Derry, where British troops shot and killed unarmed civil rights protesters.
The song has remained a staple of U2’s live concerts. During its earliest performances, the song created controversy. Lead singer Bono reasserted the song’s anti-sectarian-violence message to his audience for many years. Today, it is considered one of U2’s signature songs, and is one of the band’s most performed tracks. Critics rate it among the best political protest songs and it has been covered by over a dozen artists. In 2004, it was ranked 268th on Rolling Stone‘s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
I can’t believe the news today Oh, I can’t close my eyes and make it go away
How long, how long must we sing this song? How long? How long? ‘Cause tonight
We can be as one Tonight Broken bottles under children’s feet
Bodies strewn across the dead-end street But I won’t heed the battle call It puts my back up, puts my back up against the wall
And the battle’s just begun There’s many lost, but tell me who has won? The trenches dug within our hearts And mothers, children, brothers, sisters torn apart
Sunday, Bloody Sunday Sunday, Bloody Sunday
How long, how long must we sing this song? How long? How long?
‘Cause tonight we can be as one, tonight Tonight, tonight (Sunday, Bloody Sunday) Tonight, tonight (Sunday, Bloody Sunday) Alright, let’s go
Wipe the tears from your eyes Wipe your tears away I’ll wipe your tears away I’ll wipe your tears away (Sunday, Bloody Sunday) I’ll wipe your bloodshot eyes (Sunday, Bloody Sunday)
Sunday, Bloody Sunday Sunday, Bloody Sunday Sunday, Bloody Sunday Sunday, Bloody Sunday Yeah, let’s go And it’s true we are immune When fact is fiction and TV reality And today the millions cry (Sunday, Bloody Sunday) We eat and drink while tomorrow they die (Sunday, Bloody Sunday)
The real battle just begun (Sunday, Bloody Sunday) To claim the victory Jesus won (Sunday, Bloody Sunday) On Sunday, Bloody Sunday, yeah Sunday, Bloody Sunday
glyn40wilton 