The prompt from Jim:
Our theme this week is Devoted, Faithful, Honorable, Loyal, True and it is again suggested by Lady A.
When I saw the prompt, I knew my song was going to come from the 1950s or the 1960s because young love was the primary subject for songs that made the charts and appealed to the teenagers buying the records at the time. And we did buy records!
”Teen Angel” is a tragic ballad about a young teenager getting killed in a car accident after initially being saved by her boyfriend. Written by Jean Dinning and her husband Red Surrey, “Teen Angel” was recorded by Jean’s brother Mark Dinning in 1969.
Due to the subject matter, the radio stations banned the song. Despite their refusal to play the song, it grew in popularity and jumped from #100 to #50 on the charts in the last week of 1959. The song eventually made the #1 spot on the charts in February of 1960.
“Teen Angel” was also banned by the BBC in the UK, but the song still managed to climb to #37 on the UK charts.
Every girl I knew had this song memorized and owned the 45 record. There was something about this tragic love story that we were drawn to. Maybe it is that dream and promise of undying love that gave it such a strong pull. Teens have that feeling of invincibility so maybe the tragic message was lost on them.
”Teen Angel” was a success, but put Mark Dinning in the ‘one hit wonder’ category although he did have a few other songs that made the charts. This song is the one he will be remembered for.
“Teen Angel”
Lyrics from Songfacts.com
Teen angel, teen angel, teen angel, ooh, ooh
That fateful night the car was stalled upon the railroad track
I pulled you out and we were safe, but you went running back
[Chorus]
Teen angel, can you hear me?
Teen angel, can you see me?
Are you somewhere up above
And I am still your own true love?
What was it you were looking for that took your life that night?
They said they found my high school ring clutched in your fingers tight
[Chorus]
Just sweet sixteen, and now you’re gone
They’ve taken you away.
I’ll never kiss your lips again
They buried you today
[Chorus]
Teen angel, teen angel, answer me, please
Song Lyric Sunday is hosted every Sunday by Jim Adams. If you would like to join in the fun, check out his blog for the rules and to take in all the other music posted by other blogger
Yes we did buy records! The best. Wonderful song choice today Maggie
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It was such a definitive song from that era, Jill. Takes me waaaay back. (And I still know all the words and all the inflections…)
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Wow, this certainly takes me back! A great choice Maggie.
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I started to say it feels like another place and another time, but I guess it was! It is still one of my favorite songs from that era.
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It seemed a simpler time!
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It seemed that way, but I’m sure the lack of news sources helped us feel safer.
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Social media and dubious multiple news sources have a lot to answer for!
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The prompt word True was a gift for me today. A huge hit by the popular English group, Spandau Ballet. It is still played on the radio here every day without fail.
Lyrics
So true funny how it seems
Always in time, but never in line for dreams
Head over heels when toe to toe
This is the sound of my soul
This is the sound
I bought a ticket to the world
But now I’ve come back again
Why do I find it hard to write the next line?
Oh, I want the truth to be said
I know this much is true
I know this much is true
With a thrill in my head and a pill on my tongue
Dissolve the nerves that have just begun
Listening to Marvin all night long
This is the sound of my soul
This is the sound
Always slipping from my hands
Sand’s a time of it’s own
Take your seaside arms and write the next line
Oh, I want the truth to be known
I know this much is true
I know this much is true
I bought a ticket to the world
But now I’ve come back again
Why do I find it hard to write the next line?
Oh, I want the truth to be said
I know this much is true
I know this much is true
This much is true
This much is true
This much is true
This much is true
This much is true
I know, I know, I know this much is true
This much is true
This much is true
This much is true
This much is true
I know, I know, I know this much is true
This much is true
This much is true
This much is true
This much is true
This much is true
This much is true
I know this much is true
This much is true
This much is true
Come on, come on, come on, yeah
This much is true
This much is true
Oh I say, ooh I say come on
This much is true
This much is true
This much is true
This much is true
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Gary Kemp
True lyrics © Reformation Publishing Co Ltd
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’ve always enjoyed this song and the mood it creates, Pete. It might be a popular choice today.
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Snap Pete. Just published my SLS post.
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I thought this would be a popular choice today, Di. Pete only publishes in my comments, so I think you might be safe. 😊
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At least two other bloggers I follow have used it, but I didn’t see them before I posted mine.
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A good song can be featured many times. Everyone has a different perspective.
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Also we can like (or dislike) songs for different reasons.
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Yes, so true. 😊
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A high school ring should never cost anyone their life, but I guess it was true love. Great choice Maggie.
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Of course they shouldn’t. It’s all fictional. The song title came from an article a DJ was quoted in. He was countering the suggestion that all teens were delinquents and he responded he knew a number of ‘teen angels’. From that quote the writers’ creative brain kicked in and they ran with it.
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New one on me Maggie. I was 3 when this hit the charts.
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Oh, my, you are but a wee baby! 😉
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Thanks.
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I can picture me and my best friend standing on her driveway singing away to our little transistor radio thinking that was the saddest thing either of us had ever heard!
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It certainly drew our interest, Elizabeth.
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I remember this one, I also bought records 💜💜
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💕
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I love this song. I am sure I had it on a 45.
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It was definitely in most record collections of people our age.
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