Many, many years ago, when I first heard this song on the soundtrack for Kill Bill Volume One, I immediately fell in love with it. I have to admit, as well, that when I first heard Santa Esmeralda’s version, I assumed that the cover had been recorded specifically for the Kill Bill soundtrack. Well, turns out I was not only wrong, I was way wrong. This cover version was actually recorded way back in 1977.
I also thought, before I started writing this post, that the song was originally performed by the Animals. Wrong again. The song was first written in 1964 by Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell, and Sol Marcus and it was originally performed by Nina Simone. Then, in 1965, the Animals did their famous cover. The Animals’ version of the song is the one that used to get stuck in my head when I was in high school because it used to play constantly at the Target where I would skip school.
But the Santa Esmeralda version is my favorite and it is today’s song of the day.
The night is growing late and to close it out I’ve chosen a new “Song of the Day” and it’s an all-time blues-rock classic from the 60’s.
Even if one wasn’t a fan of rock from the 1960’s they still would recognize the biggest hit ever released by the British blues-rock band The Animals with their 1964 hit, “House of the Rising Sun”. The weren’t the first band or musicians to have sung the song. No one truly knows the origin of the song, but music luminaries such as Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Joan Baez and Nina Simone were just a few to have covered it. It would be The Animals version which would live on as the one best remembered.
The song doesn’t just have the soulful cadence of classic blues, but has lyrics that show’s the band’s folk rock influences. It became part of the British Invasion of the United States during the 60’s when rock bands from them to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones right up to The Yardbirds would dominate American airwaves. The Animals would cement their place amongst these giants with this single. One thing which really powered this song through the juggernaut that was The Beatles would be the powerful vocals by frontman Eric Burdon matched with the keyboard playing of Alan Price.
“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals continues to entertain fans old and new and still one of the best songs to come out during the 1960’s.
House of the Rising Sun
There is a house in New Orleans They call the Rising Sun And it’s been the ruin of many a poor boy And God I know I’m one
My mother was a tailor She sewed my new bluejeans My father was a gamblin’ man Down in New Orleans
Now the only thing a gambler needs Is a suitcase and trunk And the only time he’s satisfied Is when he’s on a drunk
[Organ Solo]
Oh mother tell your children Not to do what I have done Spend your lives in sin and misery In the House of the Rising Sun
Well, I got one foot on the platform The other foot on the train I’m goin’ back to New Orleans To wear that ball and chain
Well, there is a house in New Orleans They call the Rising Sun And it’s been the ruin of many a poor boy And God I know I’m one
Okay, two quick confessions. First off, I really wanted to write this post in Spanish because it’s Cinco De Mayo but unfortunately, other than a few phrases I picked up from my mom, I don’t speak Spanish. Secondly, I’ve done some research and I’ve discovered that the band featured here (Santa Esmeralda) is actually a French group. So, despite the fact that Santa Esmeralda’s cover of Don’t Let Me Misunderstood is obviously influenced by Latin music, it’s still not exactly ideal for Cinco De Mayo.
But you know what? When I first heard this song on the soundtrack for Kill Bill Volume One, I immediately fell in love with it and I forced my mom to listen to all 10 minutes of it and she loved it too. And unlike me, my mom grew up speaking Spanish and actually had a very pretty singing voice. She was also very proud of her heritage. So, if this song was good enough for her, it’s good enough for me.
I have to admit, as well, that when I first heard Santa Esmeralda’s version, I assumed that the cover had been recorded specifically for the Kill Bill soundtrack. Well, turns out I was not only wrong, I was way wrong. This cover version was actually recorded way back in 1977.
I also thought, before I started writing this post, that the song was originally performed by the Animals. Wrong again. The song was first written in 1964 by Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell, and Sol Marcus and it was originally performed by Nina Simone. Then, in 1965, the Animals did their famous cover. The Animals’ version of the song is the one that got stuck in my head when I was dating this guy who worked at Mervyn’s because, oh my God, it was playing all the freaking time in that store!
But the Santa Esmeralda version is my favorite and it is today’s song of the day.
If there ever was a song one should live their life by it would be this song. A song written by singer-songwriter Paul Anka whose melody was based off of the French song “Comme d’habitude” by French musicians Claude François and Jacques Revaux, but in the end popularized by the Chairman of the Board himself, Frank Sinatra. I speak of the classic song, “My Way” and it’s my pick for the latest song of the day.
The song was released in 1969 from Sinatra’s album of the same name. It became Sinatra’s signature song and has become a staple of karaoke bars everywhere and the one song guys are more than willing to belt out sober or not (though the more alcohol consumed the louder and more forceful the singing which always adds to the effect). The lyrics and theme of the song speak about a man (or one can also say woman as well) looking back at his life at the tail end of his days and liking what he’s seen and how he’s lived.
It’s a song so beloved by many music lovers that it’s been covered by so many musicians from so many differing musical backgrounds. From Elvis Presley, Nina Simone and Nina Hagen and even punk and symphonic metal versions by Sid Vicious and Northern Kings, respectively. There’s nothing about this song that doesn’t speak to a man about how one should conduct themselves through their life. And this is perfectly pointed out by this particular lyric in the song which also happens to be my favorite: “Regrets, I’ve had a few; But then again, too few to mention.”
So, this very early October morning of 2010, the latest song of the day also happens to be my favorite song ever. Long live Ol’ Blue Eyes.
My Way
And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain.
I’ve lived a life that’s full.
I’ve traveled each and ev’ry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried.
I’ve had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.
To think I did all that;
And may I say – not in a shy way,
“Oh no, oh no not me,
I did it my way”.
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows –
And did it my way!
I just realized that I haven’t picked a song from the jazz corner. I think I have just the song to fix that problem.
Song of the day comes courtesy of the one and only Nina Simone and her jazz cover of the Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse song, “Feeling Good”. This song is just smooth cool from start to finish and why jazz singers will always have a special place in my music collection. Nina Simone croons and sings the devil out of this song. When the song segues smoothly from Simone’s acapella section in the beginning to the smoky and sultry way the horns starts off the song proper one cannot help but nod their head to the beat.
The song is pretty brief, but for a little under 3 minutes one can and will fall in love not just with Nina Simone’s singing but jazz music as well.
Feeling Good
Birds flying high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Reeds driftin on by you know how I feel
(refrain:)
Its a new dawn
Its a new day
Its a new life
For me
And Im feeling good
Fish in the sea you know how I feel
River running free you know how I feel
Blossom in the tree you know how I feel
(refrain)
Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, dont you know
Butterflies all havin fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
Thats what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me
Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the pine you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
Through the Shattered Lens 