Would you believe that the hummable, sing-able, unforgettable song, "Over The Rainbow" is actually 69 years old this year??? It was first heard in 1939 in MGM's classic "The Wizard of Oz" - starring the very young Judy Garland and the rest, as they say, is history. This Academy Award winning song, was written by Harold Arlen (music) and E.Y. Harburg (lyrics) and became the signature song for Judy Garland throughout her life since. Many artistes has recorded this song to this day, but like they said, nothing like the original.
Another song that has stood the test of time is Jerome Kern's "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". It is from the 1933 (this makes the song 75 years old!!!) Broadway musical "Roberta" which was made into a movie in 1935 by RKO. It starred Irene Dunne and the incomparable couple on the dance floor - Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It was sung by Dunne and danced by Astaire and Rogers. The song was then featured in the colourful remake of the movie by MGM in 1952, this time called "Lovely To Look At", starring my all time favourite, the beautiful Kathryn Grayson and the late Howard Keel (Clayton Farlow in 80's TV soaper "Dallas" and he had a very rich baritone voice to match his brassy frame). Also in the movie, my favourite tap dancer (and also one of my favourite STAR), the late Ann Miller. This time, it is Ms Grayson who sang "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" tearily and danced by the marvelous husband-and-wife team, Marge and Gower Champion. The song went to become a popular pop hit in 1958 by the group Platters.
Another winner in Academy Award list is the 1936 (Happy 72nd) hit song "The Way You Look Tonight" from another Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' s movie - "Swing Time". This music of this song is also written by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Dorothy Fields (as in "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"). It is becoming popular again these days since 1997 when it was featured in the movie "My Best Friend's Wedding" (Huh??? The movie is also 11 years old???)
What is Christmas without the ever popular "White Christmas"? Almost everybody in all parts of the world knows this yuletide song. It is so popular, that you will hear it every Christmas - in movies, TVs, shopping malls, cars, on radios, restaurants and even from carollers. This is one of the most beautiful heart rendering song for the season (my next favourites are "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "The Secret Of Christmas" and I really have to tolerate whenever I hear someone call the season X'mas!!!). This Irving Berlin classic was introduced by the legendary crooner, Bing Crosby in the Paramount's "Holiday Inn" (1942). It is also won the Best Song for that year.
There are actually a list long of old songs from way back when (from the 30s to even the 70s), that have been recorded and some even changed the rhythms and updated the tempos from the originals, by the recoding "stars" of today for the new generation. Some made it, some didn't and some just killed the songs in cold blood!!! And they said I only listen to old songs!!! Bah!!!
Heavy Metal = Fat Iron(?)
Another song that has stood the test of time is Jerome Kern's "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". It is from the 1933 (this makes the song 75 years old!!!) Broadway musical "Roberta" which was made into a movie in 1935 by RKO. It starred Irene Dunne and the incomparable couple on the dance floor - Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It was sung by Dunne and danced by Astaire and Rogers. The song was then featured in the colourful remake of the movie by MGM in 1952, this time called "Lovely To Look At", starring my all time favourite, the beautiful Kathryn Grayson and the late Howard Keel (Clayton Farlow in 80's TV soaper "Dallas" and he had a very rich baritone voice to match his brassy frame). Also in the movie, my favourite tap dancer (and also one of my favourite STAR), the late Ann Miller. This time, it is Ms Grayson who sang "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" tearily and danced by the marvelous husband-and-wife team, Marge and Gower Champion. The song went to become a popular pop hit in 1958 by the group Platters.
Another winner in Academy Award list is the 1936 (Happy 72nd) hit song "The Way You Look Tonight" from another Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' s movie - "Swing Time". This music of this song is also written by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Dorothy Fields (as in "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"). It is becoming popular again these days since 1997 when it was featured in the movie "My Best Friend's Wedding" (Huh??? The movie is also 11 years old???)
What is Christmas without the ever popular "White Christmas"? Almost everybody in all parts of the world knows this yuletide song. It is so popular, that you will hear it every Christmas - in movies, TVs, shopping malls, cars, on radios, restaurants and even from carollers. This is one of the most beautiful heart rendering song for the season (my next favourites are "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "The Secret Of Christmas" and I really have to tolerate whenever I hear someone call the season X'mas!!!). This Irving Berlin classic was introduced by the legendary crooner, Bing Crosby in the Paramount's "Holiday Inn" (1942). It is also won the Best Song for that year.
There are actually a list long of old songs from way back when (from the 30s to even the 70s), that have been recorded and some even changed the rhythms and updated the tempos from the originals, by the recoding "stars" of today for the new generation. Some made it, some didn't and some just killed the songs in cold blood!!! And they said I only listen to old songs!!! Bah!!!
Heavy Metal = Fat Iron(?)
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