SLS ~ Wife

Thanks go out to our musical host Jim Adams for putting together these great SLS prompts. For today, I chose “Billy Don’t Be A Hero” by Paper Lace. While the title doesn’t contain the keyword, the lyrics have both “fiancée” and “wife.” The song was written by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander, and was first recorded in 1974 by Paper Lace. It was a hit for the group in the UK, and that same year it was also a hit in the US for Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods.

The lyrics tell an interesting story. We hear them from a bystander’s perspective, as he discusses how Billy’s fiancée (not named, so we will call her “BF”) feels as Billy leaves for war (we assume it’s Vietnam, but that’s not specified). The observer says BF tells Billy not to be a hero because she wants him to come back. The most important thing to her is that he stays safe so they can get married. Naturally, he doesn’t listen to her and dies. At the end, the observer says she threw away the letter informing her of his death, implying she was angry and/or didn’t care any longer, since Billy hadn’t listened.

I’m always curious about the observer: was he romantically interested in BF? Is he now her husband and thus privy to this info? Or is he merely observing from afar the whole time? It’s easy to sympathize with BF… she loved Billy and wanted to protect him. But I wonder if she were more in love with an idea… the idea of marriage and Billy as her husband. Did she even know the real Billy? That guy jumped up to try to help his fellow soldiers. That’s who he was. So many times we fail to see the real person behind our idea of who we want them to be.

Billy Don’t Be A Hero

The marchin’ band came down along Main Street
The soldier blues fell in behind
I looked across and there I saw Billy
Waiting to go and join the line
And with her head upon his shoulder
His young and lovely fiancee
From where I stood I saw she was cryin’
And through her tears I heard her say
Billy, don’t be a hero, don’t be a fool with your life
Billy, don’t be a hero, come back and make me your wife
And as he started to go she said, Billy, keep your head low
Billy, don’t be a hero, come back to me
The soldier blues were trapped on a hillside
The battle raging all around
The sergeant cried, We’ve got to hang on, boys!
We’ve got to hold this piece of ground
I need a volunteer to ride up
And bring us back some extra men
And Billy’s hand was up in a moment
Forgettin’ all the words she said
She said
Billy, don’t be a hero, don’t be a fool with your life
Billy, don’t be a hero, come back and make me your wife
And as he started to go she said, Billy, keep your head low
Billy, don’t be a hero, come back to me
I heard his fiancee got a letter
That told how Billy died that day
The letter said that he was a hero
She should be proud he died that way
I heard she threw that letter away …

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

SLS ~ The End

Thanks go out to our tuneful host Jim Adams for another scoop of tasty prompts. I chose “end,” and though I’ve shared this Leonard Cohen song previously, it was not for an SLS with full lyrics included. I just love these lyrics so much I had to go with it for this week.

“Dance Me to the End of Love” was written by Leonard Cohen and David Campbell. Cohen recorded it for his 1984 album Various Positions and it’s been covered many times. It sounds like a love song, but Cohen said it was inspired by the horrors of the Holocaust, one of which was that some prisoners were forced to play music while their fellow prisoners were being murdered. Never forget.

Dance Me to the End of Love

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic till I’m gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Oh, let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Show me slowly what I only know the limits of
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on
Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long
We’re both of us beneath our love, we’re both of us above
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the children who are asking to be born
Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic till I’m gathered safely in
Touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

SLS ~ Saturday

Jim Adams, our tuneful host, gave us days of the week as a prompt this time. I chose one of the tracks from Neil Diamond’s 2005 album 12 Songs.

Save Me A Saturday Night

How did I ever find you?
I’ve been waitin so long
But now your trouble’s behind you
Time is hurrying on and all that I want
Is save me a Saturday night
Leave me some room at your table
Slip into your heart if I might
And stay just as long as I’m able
Baby, save me a Saturday night

I’ll be someone you count on
Sure, it’s hard to believe
But try just keep me around, I’m yours
I just want to be wherever you need me
Save me a Saturday night
Leave me some room at your table
I want to slip into your heart if I might
And stay just long as I’m able
Baby, save me a Saturday night […]

Now that’s sorted, let me tell you about my long ridiculous saga to get to this post. All week, I thought I’d use “Saturday Clothes” by Gordon Lightfoot, a sweet tune probably most have never heard. It was simply a track on his 1970 album Sit Down Young Stranger (aka If You Could Read My Mind). I just happen to love every song on that album, popular or not. Anyway, I worried it was too slow and boring for my blog readers, so I changed my mind after reading the lyrics and hearing it via YouTube (no great video with a story to go with it either).

Next, I had my heart absolutely set on “Never On A Sunday” by Nana Mouskouri. But to get English lyrics I’d have to use a version by Connie Francis or the Chordettes. Nothing against those peeps, but their covers of this song sucked. So, I thought, no problem, I’ll find a version by a Greek singer with lyrics on the screen. Except, problem, Greek singers use the original lyrics of the song, which are not “You can kiss me on a Monday a Monday a Monday,” etc. Nope. They sing the song from the movie (yes, there was a movie Never on Sunday about a prostitute), and that song has these other lyrics about loving this beautiful port in Greece (ships, sailors, yada). I could have then tried a man singing it, but eh, that kinda ruins the concept, IYKWIM.

So, my friends, this is how we got to Neil. Not that I mind using Neil ~ love him ~ but I’ve used him a lot and I’ve been trying for more variety on this prompt.

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

SLS ~ Smart

Get Smart is an American comedy television series that ran for 5 years (1965-1970). Mel Brooks and Buck Henry created it and it generated many popular quotes, such as “Missed it by… that much” and concepts such as “the cone of silence.” Don Adams had the starring role as inept secret agent Maxwell Smart, who worked for CONTROL, and Barbara Feldon played his sidekick and love interest Agent 99. Edward Platt had the role of “Chief.” Max somehow always managed to save the world from the machinations of KAOS, plots which were a parody/homage to the wildly popular 007 franchise.

There were several Get Smart movies, the more recent ones starring one of my favorite actors Steve Carell. Anne Hathaway starred as Agent 99.

Sadly, Edward Platt died of suicide in 1974 after a long depression. Don Adams died in 2005 at age 82. He was also known for his voices, such as Tennessee Tuxedo. Barbara Feldon is 87.

On a related note, Sean Connery of James Bond fame, among other things, died this weekend (October 31, 2020) at age 90. RIP ❤️

Today, I’m featuring the theme song from Get Smart, which is widely recognizable. It was composed by Irving Szathmary.

As always, thank you to our musical host Jim Adams! 🎶

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

SLS ~ Ghost

Thanks go to our musical host Jim Adams for today’s timely Halloween theme. I chose “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” performed by Johnny Cash and originally written by Stan Jones in 1948. Stan said he heard about this cowboy legend from a Native American and the folk tale stuck with him, inspiring the lyrics. Many artists have covered the song, including Stan himself, and it’s been popular through the years. Johnny’s version peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles in 1979.

{Ghost) Riders in the Sky

An old cowboy went riding out one dark and windy day
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he saw
A-plowing through the ragged sky and up the cloudy draw
Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel
Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky
For he saw the riders coming hard and he heard their mournful cry
Yippie yi ooh
Yippie yi yay
Ghost riders in the sky
[…]

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

SLS ~ No!

Jim Adams gave us yes and no this week, and naturally I gravitated to the negative. I was tempted to go with Ringo’s no-no song or perhaps “A Horse With No Name,” but I’m really trying to pick songs no one else thinks of. We’ll see if I’m successful this time with my choice of “Keep Your Hands To Yourself” by The Georgia Satellites. “No huggy, no kissy, until I get a weddin’ ring!”

KYHTY was written by the group’s lead singer Dan Baird in 1986 as their debut single. It reached #2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1987, locked out of the #1 spot by Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer.” The Georgia Satellites never had another Top 40 hit and Baird left for a solo career, later joined by a couple other ex Satellites. Both groups are still strumming along.

Keep Your Hands To Yourself

I got a little change in my pocket goin’ jing-a-ling-a-ling
Wants to call you on the telephone baby, a-give you a ring
But each time we talk, I get the same old thing
Always no hug-ee no kiss-ee until I get a weddin’ ring
My honey my baby, don’t put my love upon no shelf
She said don’t hand me no lines and keep your hands to yourselfB-B-B-baby baby baby why you wan’ treat me this way
You know I’m still your lover boy I still feel the same way
That’s when she told me a story, ’bout free milk and a cow
And said no hug-ee no kiss-ee until I get a weddin’ vow
My honey my baby, don’t put my love upon no shelf
She said don’t hand me no lines and keep your hands to yourselfHold it here
See I wanted her real bad, and I was about to give in
But that’s when she started talking about true love,
Started talking about sin
And I said, honey I’ll live with you for the rest of my life,
She said no hug-ee no kiss-ee until you make me your wife-a
My honey my baby, don’t put my love upon no shelf
She said don’t hand me no lines and keep your hands to yourself

You’ll need to watch this video until the end! And don’t forget to vote Blue! 🌎💦🐬🦋🧢

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

SLS ~ Wait

Thanks again to our musical host Jim Adams for another great set of prompts. I’m going with Carly Simon’s “Anticipation,” which contains: “Anticipation, anticipation is makin’ me late, is keepin’ me waitin’…” I know this song will make people think of the ketchup commercial, but besides that it has really good lyrics. 🎶

Carly wrote and performed the song and it appeared on her 1971 album Anticipation. It’s one of her biggest hits, breaking into the top 10 on a couple lists. She cranked out the song in 15 minutes while waiting for Cat Stevens to pick her up for a date. ❤️

Anticipation

We can never know about the days to come
But we think about them anyway
And I wonder if I’m really with you now
Or just chasin’ after some finer day
Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin’ me late
Is keepin’ me waitin’
And I tell you how easy it feels to be with you
And how right your arms feel around me
But I, I rehearsed those words just late last night
When I was thinkin’ about how right tonight might be
Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin’ me late
Is keepin’ me waitin’
And tomorrow we might not be together
I’m no prophet and I don’t know nature’s ways
So I’ll try and see into your eyes right now
And stay right here ’cause these are the good old days
And stay right here ’cause these are the good old days
(These are the good old days)
(These are the good old days)
(These are the good old days)
(These are the good old days)

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

Image credit to Jim Adams

SLS ~ Anything Goes

Jim Adams, our musical host, says this week we can choose any song we like! Wow, what to pick, what to pick… 🎶🎶🎶

So, I have 659 “liked” videos on my YouTube channel… and I scrolled to the end. The first liked vid is “Help Me Make It Through The Night” by Sammi Smith. I love this song, and the video is adorable (not what you would expect).

The song was written by Kris Kristofferson for his 1970 album Kristofferson. That same year, Sammi covered it on her album Help Me Make It Through The Night. Kris says he was inspired to write the song by an Esquire interview of Frank Sinatra.

Several singers covered the song, but Sammi’s version did the best, reaching No. 1 on the US Country chart and winning a Grammy. Willie Nelson also did well with it.

Help Me Make It Through The Night

(Sammi changed a few words.)

Take the ribbon from your hair
Shake it loose and let it fall
Lay it soft against my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
Till the early morning light
All I’m takin’ is your time
Help me make it through the night

I don’t care what’s right or wrong
I don’t try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
Lord, tonight I need a friend
Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow’s out of sight
And it’s sad to be alone
Help me make it through the night

I don’t care what’s right or wrong, (Yes, I do!)
I don’t try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
Lord, tonight I need a friend
Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow’s out of sight
Lord, it’s bad to be alone
Help me make it through the night

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

SLS ~ Sister

Thanks once again to our musical host Jim Adams for this week’s prompt. I chose “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train, from their 2009 album Save Me, San Francisco. I’ve posted this song before, along with others from that album cuz it’s one of my favorites.

HSS is Train’s best-selling song, reaching No. 1 in 16 countries and taking the No. 3 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100. Lead singer/writer Pat Monahan wanted to do a song in the style of INXS and collaborated with the Espionage duo (from Norway) to achieve the effect. Lead guitarist Jimmy Stafford says that the lyrics were inspired by Pat’s idea of what Burningman must be like.

Hey, Soul Sister

Hey
Hey
Hey
Your lipstick stains
On the front lobe of my left side brains
I knew I wouldn’t forget you
And so I let you go and blow my mind
Your sweet moonbeam
The smell of you in every single dream I dream
I knew when we collided
You’re the one I have decided who’s one of my kind
Hey, soul sister
Ain’t that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain’t fair, you know
Hey, soul sister
I don’t want to miss a single thing you do
Tonight
Hey
Hey
Hey
Just in time
I’m so glad you have a one-track mind like me
You gave my life direction
A game show love connection we can’t deny
I’m so obsessed
My heart is bound to beat right out my untrimmed chest
I believe in you, like a virgin, you’re Madonna
And I’m always gonna wanna blow your mind
Hey, soul sister
Ain’t that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain’t fair, you know
Hey, soul sister
I don’t want to miss a single thing you do
Tonight
The way you can cut a rug
Watching you’s the only drug I need
So gangster, I’m so thug
You’re the only one I’m dreaming of you see
I can be myself now finally
In fact there’s nothing I can’t be
I want the world to see you be with me
Hey, soul sister
Ain’t that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain’t fair, you know
Hey, soul sister
I don’t want to miss a single thing you do tonight
Hey, soul sister
I don’t want to miss a single thing you do
Tonight
Hey
Hey
Hey
Tonight
Hey
Hey
Hey
Tonight

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

SLS ~ Canadian

Our musical host Jim Adams gives us the theme of Canadian this week. So many of the singers I love are Canadian it was hard to choose. I finally went with Jann Arden and her smash hit “Insensitive.” This song was written by Anne Loree and recorded by Jann in 1994 for her album Living Under June. The song did well, reaching No. 12 in the US and No. 1 in Canada and Australia. Anne says she wrote the song in a half hour while feeling broken-hearted from a romance.

Jann was born in Calgary in 1962. She was discovered by a talent agent and worked with him for 13 years. She’s been an actor as well as a singer and has written 4 memoirs, including one about taking care of her mom through Alzheimer’s. In 2018, Jann released an album, These Are The Days, with songs about difficult times. She also has a podcast and a TV show fictionalizing her life. [Wiki]

Insensitive

How do you cool your lips after a summer’s kiss?
How do you rid the sweat after the body bliss?
How do you turn your eyes from the romantic glare?
How do you block the sound
Of a voice you’d know anywhere?
Oh, I really should have known
By the time you drove me home
By the vagueness in your eyes, your casual goodbyes
By the chill in your embrace
The expression on your face, told me
Maybe, you might have some advice to give
On how to be insensitive, insensitive, ooh, insensitive
How do you numb your skin after the warmest touch?
How do you slow your blood after the body rush?
How do you free your soul after you’ve found a friend?
How do you teach your heart
It’s a crime to fall in love again?
Oh, you probably won’t remember me
It’s probably ancient history
I’m one of the chosen few
Who went ahead and fell for you
I’m out of vogue, I’m out of touch
I fell too fast I feel too much
I thought that you might have some advice to give
On how to be insensitive
Oh, I really should have known
By the time you drove me home
By the vagueness in your eyes, your casual goodbyes
By the chill in your embrace
The expression on your face that told me
Maybe, you might have some advice to give
On how to be insensitive (how to be)
Insensitive (how to be)
Insensitive (how to be)

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

Image Credit ~ Jim Adams