A Song for Today: January 2020

January 1: We’ll take a cup of kindness yet… “Auld Lang Syne” sung by Dougie MacLean and based on a very old poem adapted by Robert Burns. SPOTIFY

January 2: Build a good life… “Take A Letter, Maria” by R.B. Greaves.  LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY

January 3:  If you know what I’m singing about up here, c’mon, raise your hand… “Purple Rain” by Prince for Todd at Mountainside Ski Service in Warren, VT.  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 4:  Found a home with you… “Life is Better With You” by Michael Franti & Spearhead.  Happy Birthday, Peter Propp. xoxo LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY

January 5:  Sing it loud, sing it clear! “Change” by Mavis StaplesLYRICS & CHORDS  SPOTIFY

January 6: Cargo full of love and devotion… “Rock The Boat” written by Wally Holmes and sung by The Hues Corporation. Happy day to Sonya Lee Chung! LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 7:   Three versions of one of my favorite songs: “Tracks of My Tears” written by Smokey Robinson, Warren Moore, and Marv Tarplin:  Here are The MiraclesLinda Ronstadt and then Smokey & Linda together (thx to Peter for finding this one).  Happy Birthday to Jim Kremens & Luke Rosenberg, who appreciate a good song as much as we do. xo  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)  SPOTIFY (Linda Ronstadt)

January 8:  Sing and bet on me… “Lottery” by Jade Bird.  Happy Birthday to Ricky Stevens; may you win the lottery this year!  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 9:  We both know what memories can bring… “Diamonds & Rust” by Joan Baez, whose birthday is today; GFS students love listening to her sing “We Shall Overcome” as they study the music of the Civil Rights Movement. Thank you, Joan & happy birthday!   LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 10:  Smiling in the sunlight and laughing in the rain… “Young and Foolish” written by Albert Hague and Arnold Horwitt and sung here by Jo Stafford.  Click here to hear birthday boy Bob Connelly sing it; happy birthday, BoCo! xo  LYRICS SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY

January 11: You do whatever it takes to get her by your side… “She Walks Like Rihanna” by The Wanted.  (Thanks to Maggie for the suggestion!) Happy day, MDW (jk, I KNOW you can sing and dance!).  Love you so much!  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 12:  What makes me think I could start clean slated…  “Least Complicated” by Indigo Girls.  Happy Day to Mona! xo LYRICS & CHORDS  SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 13:  When you need someone to cheer you… “All The Way” sung by Frank Sinatra and written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn.  Happy Birthday to my uncle Sam Salzman!   LYRICS & CHORDS  SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY

January 14: Life’s good friends are hard to find… “Mona” by James Taylor.  GFS kids loved the Theater Works production of “Charlotte’s Web” yesterday!  Thanks, Westport Cultural Arts, for bringing such great programs to our community. Happy Birthday, Stacie Curran!   LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY

January 15:  He was a man who loved peace… “The Dream of Martin Luther King” written by Merle Gartrell and sung by the kids from Cummings Elementary.

January 16:  Like a shooting star in the rain… “Under Your Scars” by Godsmack. Thanks to Miguel Valentin for the song suggestion.  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 17: Learn how to love and forget how to hate… “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne.   Thanks to DJ of the Week Sam for the song suggestion!  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 18:  Do I stand a chance with you? “What’s Your Name” by Don & JuanLYRICS  & CHORDS SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY

January 19:  Same title, different song: “What’s Your Name” by Lynyrd SkynyrdLYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 20: Keep on walking, keep on talking… “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” sung by The Freedom Singers (there’s no lyric video, but you’ll catch on).  Happy Birthday to MLK (last Wednesday) and my Uncle Donny (today). LYRICS & SONG HISTORY  MORE SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 21:  It’s the National Day of Racial Healing“People Get Ready” by Curtis Mayfield and sung by “The Impressions”LYRICS & SONGFACTS  CHORDS  SPOTIFY

January 22:  I want to take a breath that’s true… “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star.   Happy Birthday to Audrey Morrisey. xo  SONG HISTORY  LYRICS & CHORDS  SPOTIFY

January 23:  She ought to think twice… “Ticket To Ride” by Lennon /McCartney and The Beatles.  Check out the movie clip.  Happy Birthday, Cassie Dippo, Deb Cerulli & Esta Snider. xo LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 24: There’s a thousand reasons I should go about my day… “Into The Unknown” written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez from Frozen 2 sung by Panic At The Disco.  Thanks to Mrs. Kochanski’s class for the suggestion!   LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 25:  How did I get here?  “Once in A Lifetime” by David Byrne and Talking Heads.   LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 26:  I can’t seem to stay morose for long… “Gonna Die With A Smile If It Kills Me” by Jon Gailmor.  If you went to Staples High School and, especially, if you were an Orphenian, take note: this guy is one of us.  Happy birthday to Leslie Lucier Marino!  xo  LYRICS  SPOTIFY

January 27: Wake up and start all over again…  “Morning” by Beck.  Happy Birthday (and thanks for the song suggestion) to Susan Charlton.  xo  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 28:  We will all be stars… “I Sing The Body Electric” sung by Irene Cara and the cast of the movie “Fame”.  I was inspired by the performance on the 2020 Grammy Awards; as of today, the video seems unavailable, but keep looking.  LYRICS  SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 29:  Only then shall I abide this tide of catchy little tunes… “Hook” by Blues Traveler dedicated to Teresa & Poppy and thanks to DJ of the Week Sam for the suggestion!  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 30:  Open up your lovin’ arms… “You Turn Me Right Round (Like a Record)” by Dead or Alive (written by Pete Burns, Steve Coy, Tim Lever and Mike Percy and produced by Stock-Aitken-Waterman).  Check out Jimmy Fallon & Paul Rudd‘s version.  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

January 31:  We never failed to fail (it was the easiest thing to do)… “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills & Nash. Happy Birthday to Sue Vaccaro & Ellen Rosen Keller.  LYRICS & SONGFACTS  SPOTIFY

 

Sing Daily & Stay Healthy!