Crooner Culture

Okay, so here’s proof that I’m a weirdo in having been a fan of this stuff since I was a kid. It also goes to show you how music can unite people in the most wonderful of ways. Grab an espresso and relax, this one’s cute.
When I was 15, I was a foreign exchange student to Italy for the summer. It was without a doubt the best ever summer of my entire life, even up until now. I lived with a fabulous family in Ancona and Marcelli Beach (yep, they owned a beach house) that took me all over the …read more

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Okay, I went to do some research on the Bobby Vinton song “Mr. Lonely” because I had remembered that Carlton on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air once slow danced with Tyra Banks to it. Yes, I have that amazing talent, to recall various music and television or movies that play clips of these awesome songs.
So anyway, I’m not an Akon fan. I’m not a hater, but I just don’t enjoy that kind of music usually. I did, at one point in my life, enjoy Tupac and maybe Cypress Hill or Onyx and stuff, but really, nowadays, I’m just “too …read more

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(Originally posted August 2007, I want to try to get this idea rolling again!)
Okay everyone – it’s time for the first ever Crooner Culture blog project!
Here’s the skinny…
Everyone has old family photos from the 40’s and 50’s laying around somewhere. Maybe your cousin’s got them all, or your sister, or your 80 year old Uncle Joe. But they’re somewhere.
Your job is to find the photo that reminds you of the classic “crooner era” and post it on your blog, writing whatever you know about when and where it was taken, and put a link in the post to this blog …read more

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Okay, I know he sounds like Elvis. Or an Elvis impersonator. A bad one. But still, here’s Frankie Laine’s “Jealousy”

Jealousy! Night and day you torture me
I sometimes wonder if this spell that I’m under
can only be a melody for I know no one but me
has won your heart but when the music starts
My peace departs from the moment they play that lovely strain
and we surrender to all its charm again
this jealousy that tortures me
is ecstasy, mystery, pain
We dance to a tango of love
your heart beats with mine as we sway
your eyes give the answer I’m dreaming of
that soft word your …read more

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This version is by Harry Connick, Jr. and I’m sure that before you click the “play” button you’re going to be scratching your head as to what this song is, but once you hear it, you’ll really recognize it. And yes, there’s lots of instrumental – trumpets and piano and it’s just a really great rendition. I can hear this playing at a cocktail party, you know? Music and lyrics after the jump…

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Some might argue that John Mayer is a crooner. Sometimes just by the nature of his sweet, sexy voice, I’d like to agree. He makes women swoon and sway just like the old time crooners did.

St. Patrick’s Day lyrics
Here comes the cold
Break out the winter clothes
And find a love to call your own
You – enter you
Your cheeks a shade of pink
And the rest of you in powder blue
Who knows what will be
But I’ll make you this guarantee
No way November will see our goodbye
When it comes to December it’s obvious why
No one wants to be alone at Christmas time
In the dark, …read more

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I was watching her on “The View”, and have seen her on TV quite a bit lately. She reminds me of a female version of John Legend with her lyrics, melody, piano playing, and beat. She’s kinda cool, don’t you think?
She’s had little to no formal voice training… she’s a natural!
The big song we hear all the time from her these days is “I’m Not Gonna Write You A Love Song”.
Here’s the lyrics – Video to follow…
Head under water
And they tell me to breathe easy for a while
The breathing gets harder, even I know that
You made room for me but …read more

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Bobby Darin Crooner Week is over, gang. I’m leaving you with an mp3 and lyrics to one of my all time favorite Bobby Darin song and the lyrics. I even snagged a YouTube vid of him singing this one. Can you guess what it is before you click to get through the jump?
I’ll give you a hint, my future husband, Michael Bublé does a cover of this one. And I can honestly say that while it’s great, I love Bobby’s original version just a teeny bit more.
Are you ready?

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In 1959, Bobby Darin recorded “Dream Lover” which was built on a Latin dance rhythm, a shuffle beat called cha-lypso. The song was a subtle move from simplistic rock and roll structure to songs designed to appeal to an older audience. “Dream Lover” was his third million album seller.

Dream Lover Lyrics
Every night I hope and pray
A dream lover will come my way
A girl to hold in my arms
And know the magic of her charms
‘Cause I want (yeah-yeah, yeah)
A girl (yeah-yeah, yeah)
To call (yeah-yeah, yeah)
My own (yeah-yeah)
I want a dream lover
So I don’t have to dream alone
Dream lover, where are you
With …read more

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Okay, so I’m starting Bing Crosby week a day early today. (From now on, Crooner Weeks will start on Mondays.)
Bing sings “Moonlight Becomes You” in the film “Road To Morocco“, featuring Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, and Anthony Quinn.
One reviewer says:
“Road to Morocco, number three in the series of breezy comedies teaming Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, may be the funniest of the bunch. Bing and Bob find themselves Morocco-bound (“like Webster’s dictionary”), caught in an elaborately faked-up world of harems, palm trees, and other Arabian Nights bric-a-brac. Naturally, Dorothy Lamour is also there, as she was the customary target of …read more

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