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>About the Songs >>
Look Beyond >>
The Way I Feel >>
My Christmas Gift
 Look Beyond
Look Beyond - I first heard this song at a concert in Richmond, BC
in 1981. Written in 1981 by Pat McKee, an occupational therapist now
living in Toronto, this moving song was Canada's official song for
The International Year of Disabled Persons. Every time I sing
this song, I hear something new in its message.
Listen To My Heart – I first heard of composer David Friedman in
1994 through listening to a CD of a gifted singer named Nancy Lamott.
David was her producer. I admire David’s lyrical melodies and
powerful messages.....”if you want to know the love I’m feeling,
listen to my heart.” I loved David’s songs so much, I included six
of them on my 1998 album,
“Borrowed Time”.
As Time Goes By – I have always found it amazing that this song is
so well-known and so often requested, yet the composer, Herman Hupfeld, is not that well-known. Written in 1931 for a Broadway
musical called “Everybody’s Welcome”, it wasn’t until 1942 that the
song became popular through being featured in the movie
“Casablanca”.
The Wind Beneath My Wings – This song would definitely rank in the
Top Ten of Most Requested Songs. When I am asked to sing this song,
I have noticed that those requesting the song cover a wide age
range….from those in their 20s to grandparents in their 80s.
Originally written in 1982 by Nashville songwriters Jeff Silbar and
Larry Henley, Roger Whittaker was the first person to record the
song. There have been many other recordings, the most famous being
Bette Midler’s 1988 version for the movie "Beaches".
Bridge Over Troubled Water – This Simon and Garfunkel song became
the biggest pop record of 1970, winning an unprecedented six Grammy
Awards. By the end of 1970, Paul Simon had earned over $7 million
from the tune....not bad for a song that took two weeks to record.
Ironically, this was the last song the duo released before they
split up.
Somewhere In Time (piano solo) – This beautiful melody was written
by John Barry, the composer most often associated with the James
Bond themes. This song was featured in the 1980 movie "Somewhere In
Time" starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.
Eres Tu / Touch The Wind – I can remember first hearing this song
when I was in high school. I recall one of my friends trying to
convince me that this new song was the Spanish version of “O
Canada”. Yes, the melodies are similar, but I wasn’t buying his
story. This song was a popular Spanish song written in 1973 by Juan
Carlos Calderon. The English version called “Touch The Wind” has
lyrics by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans (the song writing duo
responsible for such other great songs as “Mona Lisa”, “Que Sera”
and “Silver Bells”.) This song was chosen as Spain’s entry in the
1973 Eurovision Contest, achieving 2nd Place.
All The Way – This song, written in 1957 (the year I was born), won
the Academy Award that year for Best Original Song. It was featured
in the movie "The Joker is Wild" and became one of the signature songs
of Frank Sinatra, who also starred in the movie.
Stardust / Skylark – Hoagy Carmichael wrote the melodies for both
these tunes. He collaborated with lyricist Mitchell Parrish in 1929
to write “Stardust” and then in 1941, he and Johnny Mercer created
“Skylark”. Hoagy first recorded “Stardust” in 1927 as an up-tempo
dance tune, with no lyrics. “Skylark” has become one of his most
popular songs.
Bring Him Home (“Les Miserables”) – I started singing this song when
I began performing with Crystal Cruises back in 1990. The musical
was fairly new at the time and this beautiful song had already
become very popular with the passengers in my audience. I included
this song on my first CD in 1993.
Perhaps Love – One of the songwriters I grew up listening to was
John Denver. I loved singing his songs. I think this song
demonstrates how John was such a gifted lyricist. I have sung this
at numerous weddings over the years. John Denver sang this song at
his Induction Ceremony into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 1996.
He died in a tragic plane crash on October 12, 1997.
You’ve Got A Friend – Back in the 1970s, I wore out my first copy of
Carole King’s “Tapestry” so I had to buy a second copy. I loved
every song on that album, but this is my favourite Carole King tune.
Whenever I sing this song, I find that people love to sing a-long. I
think it would be safe to say this song has become a Standard that
we will be singing in years to come. It one a Grammy for Song Of The
Year in 1971 and remains one of the most covered songs in pop music.
We Can Be Kind – This song by David Friedman has become one of his
most widely performed and recorded.....”and maybe we’ll find, true
peace of mind, if we always remember, we can be kind.” This song was
featured in the 2005 production of “Listen To My Heart – The Songs
of David Friedman”.
Somewhere Out There – This song comes from the 1986 animated movie
“An American Tail”. It won two Grammy awards in 1988 and won an
Academy Award nomination in 1987 for Best Original Song.
This Is The Moment (“Jekyll & Hyde”) - I first learned this song
when I started performing with Crystal Cruises in 1990. I have loved
the message of this song from the first time I heard it. I recorded
the song in 1993 as the title song of my first CD.
We Live On Borrowed Time – Another song by New York composer David
Friedman. I think this song is my favourite of all of David’s work
because of the message.....none of us know what the future holds, so
enjoy this moment and be grateful for the blessings we have. |