Toot…

Suddenly have the urge to listen to the song Blue Skies. Don’t know why, but I’m reminded of the lyrics:

Blue skies, smiling at me,
Nothing but blue skies, do I see.

Bluebirds, singing a song,
Nothing but bluebirds, all day long.

A short trip to wikipedia shows that Blue Skies was actually composed in 1926! The composer, Irving Berlin, actually lived to a ripe old age of 101.

It’s amazing how some songs seems to last through the years. Another good example would be I’ve Got A Crush on You, composed by George Gershwin, and lyrics by Ira Gershwin:

I’ve got a crush on you, sweetie pie
All the day and night-time give me sigh
I never had the least notion that
I could fall with so much emotion

It’s such a pity that George Gershwin died at a young age of 39. Even so, his accomplishment was without any doubt, amazing. Rhapsody in Blue, Porgy and Bess, Piano Concerto in F, An American in Paris, and the list goes on.

How about the unforgetable song What A Wonderful World, sang by Louis Armstrong in 1967?

I see trees of green, red roses too.
I see them bloom, for me and you.
And I think to myself… what a wonderful world.

Personally, I prefer the version sang by Rod Stewart, which features Stevie Wonder playing harmonica. Talking about Stevie Wonder, how can I not mention his song from 1981, Lately:

Lately, I have had the strangest feeling
With no vivid reason here to find
Yet the thought of losing you’s been hanging
Round my mind

The version sang by Stevie Wonder himself was obviously very lovely. I also like the version covered by Anne Ducros, featuring Toots Thielemans on harmonica. It’s the type of song you can expect to hear in a very relaxing ambiance, at a hotel lounge, perhaps.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow played by Toots Thielemans is incredible. Really the type of song I can fall asleep listening to. Yes, this is a compliment. I would have to say, of all the versions of this song that I have in my computer, this is the best.

How about Brian McKnight’s Back At One? I remember listening it for the first time years ago in the car, and wow, it was just wonderful. It still is. Michael Bolton’s version of When A Man Loves A Woman still manage to give me goosebumps everytime I listen to it. I’d Rather by Luther Vandross always gives me a smile on my face.

Guess I’m a sucker for nice songs… which so happen to be love songs. Hehe.

Today’s really a good day.