I wrote the lyrics for this song as a parody of Achy Breaky Song, the parody Weird Al Yankovic made of Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus. Joe asked us in The Fortnight Song Challenge on Singeo.com for a Weird Al cover, but singing a cover of a parody of a cover felt like one step too far for me. (more…)
My cover of Just the Two of Us (by Bill Withers, album Winelight, 1981). I was immediately happy with Sue’s choice for the Singeo Fortnight Song Challenge, this song has a special kind of calm, soulful confidence that really invited me to explore phrasing and feeling. (more…)
My cover of Brown Brown Eyed Girl, the timeless classic by Van Morrison (1967). Beneath its sunny groove and instantly recognizable melody lies a gentle sense of nostalgia – memories of youth, freedom, and moments that linger long after they’ve passed. Van Morrison later described the recording session as fast and spontaneous, almost like a demo that unexpectedly became a hit. (more…)
My cover of Blue Christmas. The song was written in 1948 by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson. Andy Williams recorded the song for his album Merry Christmas, which was released in 1965. His version became part of the standard American Christmas album canon and helped keep the song widely known beyond its earlier recordings. (more…)
My cover of Christmas Was a Friend of Mine by Fay Lovsky (1981, from the album Confetti, released by Idiot Records). Richard challenged us to sing any Christmas song.
Lovsky is a Dutch singer-songwriter, a musical storyteller who brings together pop, experimentation, and melancholy in distinctive songs.
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My cover of Forever Young by Bob Dylan (1974, album Planet Waves).
Dylan wrote the song in the 1970s, reportedly as a blessing for his children. The song feels like a simple wish, almost like a prayer: that you may remain honest, brave, curious, and true to yourself. “Forever young” does not mean staying young in a literal sense, but staying open – not becoming hardened or cynical, no matter how the world changes.
I’m using the version by Audra Mae – it was the theme song of the fantastic series Sons of Anarchy. Hans did the producing and the visuals. It was my choice for the WSC. (more…)