"There's a time in life for Hoagy Carmichael. There's a time in life for Claude Debussy. There's a time in life for Jerry Lee Lewis. There's a time in life for Destiny's Child. All these things have their moment." ~Elvis Costello
Sometimes we are so moved by our favorite songs that we feel as though the lyrics were written especially for us. Unfortunately, in reality, you are one of a million that feels that way. But that is what makes a good song; when audiences across the world deeply identify with its message. This notion raises the question; how were some of the most successful musicians able to write songs so relatable and meaningful? What happened in their own lives that pulled on their heartstrings and inspired them to write those poetic lyrics that so deeply speak to the masses.
As you may have guessed, most of these songs do actually have real life backstories, and many times the inspiration behind the lyrics are people that have somehow influenced the artist’s lives. These people might be old girlfriends, personal heroes, or random chance encounters. Here are the inspirations behind some of the most beautiful songs today. You might just recognize some of these names…
For most bands this is an easy question. It’s their first hit, or their biggest hit, the one that gets the most airplay on radio or the most downloads. If you know that song, you pretty well know the band. For the Rolling Stones it’s Satisfaction. For the Who it’s My Generation. For Led Zeppelin it’s Stairway to Heaven.
But for the Beatles it’s not so easy. Maybe it’s I Want to Hold Your Hand, which started Beatlemania in the US and most of the rest of the world. Maybe it’s Yesterday, the first indication that they had larger artistic ambitions. Maybe it’s Strawberry Fields Forever, startlingly innovative and a huge departure from their previous sound…
Procol Harum at the Atlantic City Pop Festival in August 1969. PeterStupar.com
By Jonathan Takiff FOR THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
ifty years ago this August, tens of thousands flocked to a makeshift concert site for three days of peace, love, and their new music. Uh-oh, is this another story about the Woodstock Art and Music Festival turning 50?
Not really.
We’re talking about the Atlantic City Pop Festival, a smaller but significant gathering of the hippie tribes at the Atlantic City Race Track in Mays Landing, N.J., held Aug. 1-3, 1969. An event that predated that infamous Upstate New York festival by two weeks and arguably influenced how the latter would come to pass and be remembered.
But A.C. Pop is rarely noted in the same breath as Woodstock…
Lily Allen can be sassy, bratty, clever and poignant–often all at the same time. “Littlest Things” is a look at how the ordinary moments and mundane memories can take on a rosy hue from the perspective of a relationship’s end:
Sometimes I find myself sittin’ back and reminiscing Especially when I have to watch other people kissin’ And I remember when you started callin’ me your Mrs. All the play fightin’, all the flirtatious disses I’d tell you sad stories about my childhood I don’t know why I trusted you but I knew that I could We’d spend the whole weekend lying in our own dirt I was just so happy in your boxers and your t-shirt
Dreams, dreams Of when we had just started things Dreams of you and me It seems, it seems That I can’t shake those memories I wonder if you have the same dreams too.
The littlest things that take me there I know it sounds lame but its so true I know its not right, but it seems unfair The things are reminding me of you Sometimes I wish we could just pretend Even if for only one weekend So come on, tell me Is this the end?
Drinkin’ tea in bed Watching dvd’s When I discovered all your dirty grotty magazines You’d take me out shopping and all we’d buy is trainers As if we ever needed anything to entertain us The first time that you introduced me to your friends And you could tell that I was nervous, so you held my hand When I was feeling down, you made that face you do No one in the world who could replace you
Dreams, dreams Of when we had just started things Dreams of me and you It seems, it seems That I can’t shake those memories I wonder if you feel the same way too
The littlest things that take me there I know it sounds lame but its so true I know its not right, but it seems unfair The things are reminding me of you Sometimes I wish we could just pretend Even if for only one weekend So come on, tell me Is this the end?
