SLS

Song Lyric Sunday – Woodwinds and Brass

Maggie

The prompt from Jim:

This week the theme is songs that feature wind instruments which includes Brass instruments (horns, trumpets, trombones, euphoniums, and tubas) and Woodwind instruments (recorders, flutes, oboes, clarinets, saxophones, and bassoons) suggested by Maggie From Cave Walls.

Another prompt you can blame on me. I know some might struggle with the prompt, but I had a hard time narrowing down the field. I tried to stay away from the most popular and recognizable songs, although the ones I chose will be familiar to some.

I decided to stick with woodwind instruments. I played the flute in high school band so this was a familiar area to me. I chose several fairly popular songs that highlight each of the instruments.

Clarinet

”When I’m 64” was recorded by the Beatles and included in the 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band”. The melody was written by Paul McCartney at about the age of 14. According to McCartney, the song is written in a cabaret style. Rock and Roll was just beginning at the time. The song is credited as a McCartney Lennon collaboration. It includes a trio of clarinets throughout the song, which included jazz musician Al Newman.

When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a Valentine
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine

If I’d been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I’m sixty-four

You’ll be older too
And if you say the word
I could stay with you

I could be handy, mending a fuse
When your lights have gone
You can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings go for a ride
Doing the garden, digging the weeds
Who could ask for more
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I’m sixty-four

Every summer we can rent a cottage
In the Isle of Wight, if it’s not too dear
We shall scrimp and save
Grandchildren on your knee
Vera Chuck & Dave

Send me a postcard, drop me a line
Stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, wasting away
Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I’m sixty-four

*****

Flute

The Marshall Tucker Band is an American country rock band from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Their music incorporates a bluesy jazzy sound. “Heard It In a Love Song” was written by Toy Caldwell, one of the forming band members. Recorded in 1977, it features flautist Jerry Eubank who also played saxophone both of which contributed  to the trademark sound of the band.

I ain’t never been with a woman long enough for my boots to get old
But we’ve been together so long now, they both need re-soled
If I ever settle down, you’d be my kind
And it’s a good time for me to head on down the line

(Heard it in a love song, heard it in a love song)
(Heard it in a love song) can’t be wrong

I’m the kind of man who likes to get away
Who likes to start dreamin’ about tomorrow today
Never said that I loved you, even though it’s so
Where’s that duffle bag of mine, it’s time to go

(Heard it in a love song, heard it in a love song)
(Heard it in a love song) can’t be wrong

I’m gonna be leavin’ at the break of dawn
Wish you could come but I don’t need no woman taggin’ along
Gonna sneak out that door, couldn’t stand to see you cry
I’d stay another year if I saw a teardrop in your eye

(Heard it in a love song, heard it in a love song)
(Heard it in a love song) can’t be wrong

I never had a damn thing but what I had, I had to leave it behind
You’re the hardest thing I ever tried to get off my mind
Always something greener on the other side of that hill
I was born a wrangler and a rounder and I guess I always will

(Heard it in a love song, heard it in a love song)
(Heard it in a love song) can’t be wrong

*****

Oboe

“Twist in My Sobriety” was written and recorded by British pop star Tanita Tikaram, released in 1988. The oboe is featured prominently in the song, played masterfully by British oboist Malcolm Messiter. The song, according to Tikaram, is about the rather disconnected feeling an adolescent feels when reaching adulthood.

All God’s children need traveling shoes
Drive your problems from here
All good people read good books
Now your conscience is clear
I hear you talk girl
Now your conscience is clear

In the morning I wipe my brow
Wipe the miles away
I like to think I can be so willed
And never do what you say
I’ll never hear you
And never do what you say

Look my eyes are just holograms
Look your love has drawn red from my hands
From my hands you know you’ll never be
More than twist in my sobriety
More than twist in my sobriety
More than twist in my sobriety

We just poked a little empty pie
For the fun people had at night
Late at night don’t need hostility
Timid smile and pause to free

I don’t care about their different thoughts
Different thoughts are good for me
Up in arms and chaste and whole
All God’s children took their toll

Look my eyes are just holograms
Look your love has drawn red from my hands
From my hands you know you’ll never be
More than twist in my sobriety
More than twist in my sobriety
More than twist in my sobriety

Cup of tea, take time to think, yea
Time to risk a life, a life, a life
Sweet and handsome
Soft and porky
You pig out ’til you’ve seen the light
Pig out ’til you’ve seen the light

Half the people read the papers
Read them good and well
Pretty people, nervous people
People have got to sell
News you have to sell

Look my eyes are just holograms
Look your love has drawn red from my hands
From my hands you know you’ll never be
More than twist in my sobriety
More than twist in my sobriety

Look my eyes are just holograms
Look your love has drawn red from my hands
From my hands you know you’ll never be
More than twist in my sobriety
More than twist in my sobriety
More than twist in my sobriety

*****

Saxophone and flute

”Moondance” was written and recorded by Northern Irish musician Van Morrison. Included on the album of the same name in 1970, the single was not released until 1977.  Collin Tilton played the flute and the alto sax played by Jack Schroer. The song was originally written as an instrumental with the lyrics added later.

Well, it’s a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
‘Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I’m trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
And all the night’s magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush

Can I just have one more moondance with you, my love
Can I just make some more romance with you, my love

Well, I want to make love to you tonight
I can’t wait ’til the morning has come
And I know now the time is just right
And straight into my arms you will run
And when you come my heart will be waiting
To make sure that you’re never alone
There and then all my dreams will come true, dear
There and then I will make you my own
And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside
And I know how much you want me that you can’t hide

Can I just have one more moondance with you, my love
Can I just make some more romance with you, my love

Well, it’s a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
‘Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I’m trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
And all the night’s magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush

Can I just have one more moondance with you, my love
Can I just make some more romance with you, my love

One more moondance with you in the moonlight
On a magic night
La, la, la, la in the moonlight
On a magic night
Can’t I just have one more dance with you my love

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 blogg

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30 thoughts on “Song Lyric Sunday – Woodwinds and Brass”

    1. Thanks, Dan. There were other songs I considered for the oboe selection, but this one was quite beautiful and not as well known. It was not hard to find some great songs.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Just going with one song famous for a saxophone solo. Sung by Gerry Rafferty, sax played by Raphael Ravenscroft. ‘Baker Street’.

    Winding your way down on Baker Street
    Light in your head and dead on your feet
    Well, another crazy day
    You’ll drink the night away
    And forget about ev’rything
    This city desert makes you feel so cold
    It’s got so many people, but it’s got no soul
    And it’s taken you so long
    To find out you were wrong
    When you thought it held everything
    You used to think that it was so easy
    You used to say that it was so easy
    But you’re tryin’, you’re tryin’ now
    Another year and then you’d be happy
    Just one more year and then you’d be happy
    But you’re cryin’, you’re cryin’ now
    Way down the street there’s a light in his place
    He opens the door, he’s got that look on his face
    And he asks you where you’ve been
    You tell him who you’ve seen
    And you talk about anything
    He’s got this dream about buying some land
    He’s gonna give up the booze and the one-night stands
    And then he’ll settle down
    In some quiet little town
    And forget about ev’rything
    But you know he’ll always keep movin’
    You know he’s never gonna stop movin’
    ‘Cause he’s rollin’, he’s the rolling stone
    When you wake up, it’s a new mornin’
    The sun is shinin’, it’s a new mornin’
    You’re goin’, you’re goin’ home

    Source: Musixmatch
    Songwriters: Gerry Rafferty
    Baker Street lyrics © Stage Three Music (catalogues) Limited

    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Love this, Peter. Growing up with a sister that played clarinet, I know what an achievement it is to master the instrument. There is a lot of reed squeaking in the beginning! Thanks for sharing the video.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Nice selection, Maggie. Like other commentators, the third selection is new to me.
    When I’m 64 has for a great many years now brought a smile to me.I imagine the same holds true to Sir Paul.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Don. Glad you enjoyed the songs. I thought of using “I’ve Got You Babe” for the oboe but I thought that might be a common pick. Since I am beyond 64, I can appreciate the Sir Paul’s song a bit more. 😉

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    1. I could have written several posts, Jim. Thank you for indulging me and using my prompt today. I am enjoying listening to the picks from others.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. What a wonderful array. I hadn’t thought of each one in terms of the instruments, but I will next time I hear one of them while listening for that. Thanks. Especially for the Van Morrison. I suppose more than one of us has particular romantic memories around that song.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Christine. I love listening to the nuances in music. I really like Moondance, but his live performance videos are pretty bad. I am glad you enjoyed the prompts.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I would agree with you on the fans videos. I really don’t like to watch him unless he’s quite young. I have not been fortunate enough to see him but I’ve heard from friends that he is disconnected from his audience and tends to rush off the stage at the end. I think he’s better in the studio! Regardless I do love his music. ☺️💕

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  12. Nicely done with the different songs highlighting the different instruments. Oboe gets used a lot more than you think: Classics IV’s “Traces,” Gary Puckett & The Union Gap’s “Over You,” and Roxy Music’s “Virginia Plain” are but three examples…

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  13. Pingback: Song Lyric Sunday. Windy, brassy,timphony, big band sounds. | willowdot21

  14. All great choices. I was wondering if we’d hear the oboe today. That’s the only song I didn’t recognize. Thanks for expanding my musical horizons.

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    1. Thank you, Willow. I am so far behind reading blogs, I have not even read all of SLS yet. It was a fun week for me.

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