A Song for Today: December 2020

December 1:  Ring-a-ring-a-ring… “Ring My Bell” sung by Anita Ward and written by Frederick Knight.  LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY  Happy Birthday to Cyndy Sagullo!

December 2: And that song ain’t so very far from wrong… “Jingle Jangle Jingle” by Joseph J. Lilley and Frank Loesser and performed by  Kay Kyser and his Orchestra. LYRICS SONG HISTORY  SPOTIFY

December 3:  Singing songs about the southland… “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.  Video by A Flexible Lyrics Production especially for birthday girl KD.  REAL LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

December 4:  Music is played for love… “Cruisin'” written by Smokey Robinson and Marv Tarplin and sung by Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow from the movie “Duets”.  Thanks to Casey Richards for the song suggestion.  Happy Birthday to Maya Wergeles! xo  LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY

December 5: Sing a new song… “Chiquitita” by ABBA.  Thanks to Brandon for the song suggestion!  LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY

December 6: Can I hear an echo?  “Dream” by Shawn MendesCHORDS & LYRICS  SPOTIFY

December 7:  He almost makes my day begin… “I’ve Grown Accustomed To His Face” from the 1956 musical My Fair Lady, with music by Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and sung here by Gloria Estefan.  Happy Birthday to Jenny Roberts McKenna! LYRICS & CHORDS  SONG HISTORY  SPOTIFY

December 8:  I’m dreamin’ my life away… “All I Have To Do Is Dream” written by Beaudleaux Bryant and performed by The Everly BrothersLYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

December 9:  Won’t you get hip to this timely tip… “Route 66” written by Bobby Troup and performed here by Asleep At The Wheel especially for Doug Fried, whose birthday was yesterday (hope the chaat dogs were yummy!).  There is no lyric video today, but you can visit the Sing Daily post from February 10th to see lyrics and learn more.  And, if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, check out the John Mayer Lyric Video – a bonus gift from one Fairfielder to another.  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

December 10:  It’s not that unusual when everything is beautiful… “Ordinary Miracle” from the movie Charlotte’s WebThe song was written by Glen Ballard and Dave Stewart and performed by Sarah McLachlan.  Thanks to Ellen Hardy for the song suggestion and happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate.  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

December 11: I don’t mean maybe… “Be Bop A Lula” by Gene Vincent in honor of brother Gene Elder’s birthday.  LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY

December 12:  Aha aha aha… “Da Da Da” by Trio.  Happy Birthday to our niece Sadie Sherman, Brother Jim Rossman, Swinging ‘Gate Cynthia Dietzel and Nursey Deb Thomas!   (Here’s the commercial that brought this song back into the public’s consciousness in the late 90’s.) OFFICIAL VIDEO LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

December 13:  It’s all a sweet mystery… “The Flame Still Burns” by Strange Fruit (a fictitious rock band) with Jimmy Nail from the movie Still Crazy.  Happy Birthday (and thanks for the song suggestion) to Daily Singer Jill OdiceSONG HISTORY LYRICS & CHORDS  SPOTIFY

December 14:  Don’t need doubles and bubbles to get in all kinds of trouble… “Champagne Nights” written by Madeline Merlo with the team from Songland and performed by Lady A. Happy Birthday to my Kindergarten bff Cindy Gibb and my WEA bff Dan Seek (thx for the song suggestion, Dan). SONG HISTORY OFFICIAL VIDEO LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

December 15:  Small miracles can, each day, be found… “Hanukkah” by me and performed by the Fairfield County Children’s Choir under the direction of Jacqueline Sugrue-Tait.

December 16:  Good men through the ages trying to find the sun…“Who’ll Stop The Rain?” by John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Thanks to Steve Dean for the song suggestion!  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

December 17:  As long as you love me so… “Let It Snow!” written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne and sung here by Frank SinatraHere’s the animated video of Dean Martin’s version.  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

December 18: I am the son and the heir… “How Soon Is Now” by The Smiths (written by Johnny Marr & Morrissey). Thanks to Mircea Oprea for the song suggestion.  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

December 19:  Shaking hands with the clock… “I’m In A Hurry” by Alabama (written by Roger Murrah and Randy VanWarmer). Thanks to Glenn Keith for the song suggestion.  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

December 20:  With you for me and me for you, we’ll muddle through whatever we do…. “Together” from Gypsy sung here by Carol & Marcia Brady and here by Cynthia Gibb, Bette Midler & Peter Riegert.  The music is by Jule Styne and the lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim, written for the musical play Gypsy in 1959.  Happy Birthday to my mom, Ruthie Sherman and Anne Leonard Hardy! xoxo  SONG HISTORY  LYRICS SPOTIFY

December 21:  Life moves so mysterious with its cute little spins… “It’s Snowing In Brooklyn” by Ferron.  No lyric video today, but it’s one of my favorites, so enjoy.  Happy Birthday to Shauna Flaherty and happy winter to all!  LYRICS & CHORDS  SPOTIFY

December 22:  Golly, what a spirit! “Christmastime in New Orleans” written by Joseph Van Winkle and Richard Sherman and performed by Louis Armstrong. LYRICS SPOTIFY

December 23:  All seasons of the year are nice for eating… “Chicken Soup With Rice” by Maurice Sendak and Carole King.  The story is from The Nutshell Library (1962) and the song is from Really Rosie (1980). VIDEO LYRICS & UKULELE CHORDS SPOTIFY

December 24:  Throw cares away…“Carol of the Bells” written by Mykola Leontovych in 1914 with English lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky and sung here by Pentatonix. Happy Birthday to Traci Martin Provost, with whom I had the privilege of singing this song in 1980, thanks to George Weigle and the Staples High School Orphenians. Happy day, also, to my great aunt, Marcia Wolodsky Goldberg and our Alta buddy, Kimi Bensen Mischke. OFFICIAL VIDEO LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

December 25: Finding faith and common ground, the best that we are able… “The Christians and The Pagans” by Dar Williams.   Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!  Happy Birthday to my brother’s wife’s brother Jeff Weitzman. Hope you’re skiing today… Also, happy birthday to Emily Schindel Schmalholz!  LYRICS & CHORDS SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY

December 26:  Unity… “Kwanzaa” by Otto Gross II.  Happy Kwanzaa to all who celebrate and Happy Birthday to Carla Imperial! xo

December 27:  Can someone tell them what they’re living for… “We Need More” by Taylor Fagins.  This song won the American Songwriter’s 35th Anniversary Song Contest for 2020 and was recommended to me by Shelley Fisher FishkinSONG HISTORY SPOTIFY

December 28: Under the surface a mystery unfolds… “Winter’s Heart” by Mark Hayes.  Published by Heritage Music Press.  Thanks to Luke Rosenberg and the Staples High School Choraliers (especially GFS grads: Bridget, Colin, Jamie, Jasper, Maddie and Sydney!) for their inspiring performance at Candlelight 2020.  Thanks, also, to Dan Woog, Ryan Smith and the entire Staples High School Music Department for the wonderful gift of musical light during these especially dark times.

December 29: Climb on the back and we’ll go for a ride in the sky… “Jet” by Paul McCartney and Wings.  Thanks to Mr. SingDaily for the suggestion; you amaze me daily.  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

December 31: You shine so bright!  “Dance With Me Tonight” written by Olly Murs, Steve Robson and Claude Kelly and performed by Olly Murs.  Happy Birthday (and thanks for the song suggestion) to my beautiful niece Ariana Sherman.  I miss you, but I’m so happy for you. xoxo Happy New Year to all – SING DAILY & STAY HEALTHY in 2021 and beyond… LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

Sing Daily & Stay Healthy!