When I started this project, I never imagined it was going to become such an endeavour.
The original idea was just to choose a few songs to bring with me into the future. Then, I thought I could write a little something about them. Then I figured I could share it in a blog. Then I thought it could more interesting if I shared a few stories of my life. And then I ran out of time. I need more time.
Week 15
99 FRIDAY 3 OCTOBER 2014
Girl of the Moment – Maria Friedman, Adrian Dunbar – Top 10 Contender
There’s something so enigmatic about this piece that its melody will haunt you for weeks.
I discovered Girl Of The Moment by accident. One day I came across the 1954 recording of the “Lady In The Dark” TV special; the song jumped out and not only grabbed my attention but also took my imagination hostage. I listened to this song for weeks, trying to figure out who this girl of the moment was, and why she was so captivating.
Week 15
These are the songs I picked between 3 October and 9 October 2014. I’ll talk about them next time.
Girl of the Moment * – Maria Friedman, Adrian Dunbar … I listened to this song for weeks, trying to figure out who this girl of the moment was, and why she was so captivating.
Folies Bergeres ** – Catherine Russell, Ginette Garcin
Let Me Be Your Star – Katharine McPhee, Megan Hilty
Let’s Be Bad – Megan Hilty … I have been a video editor for over 20 years; if you asked me what editing is to me, I’d tell you that editing is nothing more than problem-solving.
My Friend – Pamela Isaacs, Lillias White
Little Me – Faith Prince
Closer And Closer And Closer – Gene Wilder, Steven Warner … I had a professor who would describe the Fox as controlling, needy and high maintenance. Although, I didn’t agree with him at the time, I can appreciate now what he meant by it.
* Top 10 Contender
** Top 10 Fast Tracked
92 FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2014
Miss Marmelstein – Barbra Streisand
In January 1992, I got my first job in the United States. I was in the last semester of my master’s program, and during the previous three months, I had been an intern at the Pan American Health Organization in Washington, DC.
After I had come back from my Christmas break, Guillermo, my supervisor at PAHO recommended me for a job at the Inter-American Development Bank, where they were looking for a photographer. I thanked him but reminded him I was not a photographer. He didn’t listen; he just rolled his eyes, gave me the key to his house and told me to go there. In a bookcase in the living room, there was a box with pictures, he told me to pick a few to pass as mine during the job interview.
Week 14
These are the songs I picked between 26 September and 2 October 2014. I’ll talk about them next time.
Miss Marmelstein – Barbra Streisand … In the booklet, Streisand talks about doing the number seated on a desk chair and sliding around the stage, which naturally I tried to recreate at my new job whenever nobody was watching.
A Quiet Thing / There Won’t Be Trumpets – Barbra Streisand
The Skin Of Our Teeth – Brent Barrett … As we waited for Bruce, John Kander came in the house with Eric Schaeffer. I was going to ask Kander to autograph the poster I had bought, but he and Schafer were having what it seems a serious conversation.
Tom, Dick Or Harry – Ann Miller, Tommy Rall, Bobby Van, Bob Fosse
Dressing Them Up – Brent Carver … Having the character sing this song elevates Molina from a sad middle aged lonely gay man with an active imagination to a man who can be passionate and committed to a cause, or someone he loves.
The Day After That – Brian Mitchell
Manhattan – Ella Fitzgerald
85 FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2014
No One Is Alone – Kim Crosby, Danielle Ferland, Ben Wright, Chip Zien
Even when we are on our own, we’re not totally alone. We all live in a community and have an impact each other’s lives. From the person who holds the lift’s door when you’re carrying bags. Or the person who chases you down the street to hand you the umbrella you’ve dropped one block away. Even the person who is rude to you on the bus for no apparent reason; we all feed on the community we live in. It doesn’t matter how much we want to protect ourselves, others will always have an influence on us, and there’s basically nothing we can do about it. The person who holds the lift’s door will help you arrive faster to your destination. The one who hands you the umbrella will help you stay dry when the rain comes. The one who’s been rude may wreck your day for a bit, but another person will brighten it. In a matter of minutes, everything can change. You’ll be the one holding the lift’s door, handing the umbrella, and being rude to someone on the bus.
Week 13
These are the songs I picked between 19 September and 25 September 2014. I’ll talk about them next time.
No One Is Alone – Kim Crosby, Danielle Ferland, Ben Wright, Chip Zien
What Kind of Fool Am I – Jason Danieley … It was only recently that I played close attention to the lyrics and noticed the Catch-22 nature of the song.
Loving You – Kym Hoy
I Won’t Send Roses – Rita Moreno
Medley (Almost Like Being In Love-This Can’t Be Love) * – Judy Garland … For younger readers, before iPods and CD burnings, people used to have “tape recording” parties, someone would bring a record and whoever was interested could make a copy of it on a cassette.
There’s No Business Like Show Business – Judy Garland, Ethel Merman, Barbra Streisand
Here’s To Us (outtake) – Judy Garland … It is such an extraordinary moment of self-determination and resilience, that you just want to snap your fingers twice and say: You go girl!
* Top 10 Contender
78 FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2014
It Only Takes a Moment – Charles Nelson Reilly, Eileen Brennan
![077 Hello, Dolly! (The Original Broadway Cast Recording) [Deluxe Edition]](https://365songsblogdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/077-hello-dolly-the-original-broadway-cast-recording-deluxe-edition.jpg?w=150&h=135)
What I love about Jerry Herman’s songs is how there’s always a resolution. Most of his songs tell a story with a beginning, a middle and an end. You could take the lyrics of this particular song and develop an entire novel. The lyrics have already dictated what the characters will do, and where they’re headed.
I know, it is hard to explain, but as I include more of Jerry Herman’s songs, I’ll make my point clearer.
Week 12
These are the songs I picked between 12 September and 18 September 2014. I’ll talk about them next time.
It Only Takes a Moment – Charles Nelson Reilly, Eileen Brennan
Brassmen’s Holiday – Arturo Sandoval … I’m not a good Latino, I don’t feel the same attachment or loyalty to the culture that some of the Latinos I’ve met abroad cherish. However, there are a few things that remind me of my heritage; Arturo Sandoval’s music is one of them.
I Believe In You – Matthew Broderick … 1995 was the year I turned 30, and for the first time the idea that perhaps not all of my plans, dreams, hopes, and illusions, would ever become true; hit me.
I Can’t Let Go * – Jennifer Hudson
I’m a Brass Band * – Sammy Davis, Jr.
Es Verdad – Ilan Chester … I don’t believe that love evolves into the love you have for your next partner. The love we’ve had for all of our lovers is unique.
Inka Dinka Doo – Jimmy Durante
* Top 10 Contender
71 FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2014
Easy to Love – Lee Wiley with Paul Weston & His Orchestra – Top 10 Contender
I’m definitely feeling the love for Cole Porter.
I first heard Easy To Love in 1991; it was a version by Sinatra, which I instantly liked. Since then I’ve acquired different versions by different performers. As a young man, I thought of it as the epitome of being in love and planning a perfect future with a chosen one.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate it under a very different light. It is not about being in love, the singer is not in love yet. It is about the business of falling in love, and how it is not as random and magical as Hollywood and Hallmark have led us to believe.
HOW TO PACK 365 SONGS IN A SUITCASE 