Crooner Culture

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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The Muppet Show – where every celebrity found themselves at some point in time. Jim Henson was a genius, and I was an addict. LOL
In this clip, Gonzo is feeling pretty low after Animal ruins one of his acts. He runs off the stage and into Ms. Horne’s dressing room, bangs his head on the door in despair, and is then consoled by Lena with these words:
“In this world of ordinary people, extraordinary people, I’m glad there is you
In this world of overrated pleasures, underrated treasures, I’m glad there is you…”

Incidentally, this is the song she sang on that episode …read more

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One of my favorite memories of Lena Horne on television was when she was on the 1985 episode of “The Cosby Show”, where Rudy Huxtable asked Lena if she could meet Kermit. What she was referring to was this clip from Classic Sesame Street, where Lena sang the song “It’s Not Easy Being Green” with Kermit. I remember watching this as a kid, and feeling just so sad for Kermit, you know? Sure, I didn’t “get” the whole meaning of the song back then, but it sure as heck related to poor Kermie in my mind.
There’s something about Ms. …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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Okay, so Bing Crosby week went okay, but I know there’s got to be a lot more out there on Bobby Darin, given his tormented life, his courting and later marriage to Sandra Dee, and all that jazz.
Anyone have any favorite Bobby Darin songs, or clips you’d like to see on the site this week? As I did with Der Bingle, I plan on showing a few YouTube clips and getting some mp3s up for you all, but is there anything you think we might not all be aware of yet that you’d like to see me talk about …read more

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I thought I’d put a little collection of Bing Crosby videos from YouTube together here for your viewing pleasure, my dear readers! He was no doubt one heck of an entertainer, and it seems to me that the stars around him just shone brighter because of it, don’t you? Check ‘em out after the jump…

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Reader Tom sends:
Hi Lara
Just found your great little website, today!!
If all things were equal with regard to their respective ages, looks, personalities, who has the best voice…Bing or Michael Buble?
Regards
TOM

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Staying with this mood I’m in here… I’m posting “heartsongs” right now. Songs that make me feel like I could’ve written them myself, you know? Here’s the smoky-voiced Norah Jones’ “What Am I To You?” with lyrics posted below.

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Because I’m a sucker for piano, Alicia Keys, and songs that can be torturous to my heart, I’m posting this one by Alicia Keys…

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From the movie “Holiday Inn” with Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Virginia Dale

Lyrics (less the buh-bu-bo-bom’s and scatting)
“I’ll Capture Your Heart”
[FRED:] Here she comes, down the street
[BING:] My, oh my, ain’t she sweet?
[FRED:] Why, here comes my hot toddy
[BING:] Over my dead body
[BING:] I’ll capture her heart singing
[FRED:] Just wait until she gets a load of my dancing
[BING:] Just wait till I start singing
[FRED:] I’ll take her strolling down the road with my dancing
[BING:]
I can’t go wrong, a tender song and she’ll discover my charms
[FRED:]
Some fancy taps and she’ll collapse and fall right into my arms
[BING:] I’ll capture her heart …read more

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