“I am leaving Madrid” sings the Columbian Singer Shakira. The video below has a bullfighting theme to it. The Spanish “El Juli” sued Shakira for $5 million for using scenes of one of his performances without his permission. As a visitor to Spain, it is sometimes difficult to understand how even in modern times, that …
Author Archives: M&M
A Horse With No Name
Hearing the track below by America on the radio last week, made me think that it was time for a road trip to the deserts of California. The song had the working title of “The Desert Song” and writer and original band member Dewey Bunnell once said “I had spent a good deal of time …
Cavalcata Sarda
Cavalcata Sarda, the festival of beauty is held in the Sardinia city of Sassari, on the second last Sunday in May. Communities from all over the island come together and demonstrate their talents and skills. Sassari is the second largest city on the island of Sardinia and has its origins in the 12th century. In …
In Amsterdam’s Port, there are Sailors ….
The title for this post comes from the English translation of the first line of each verse of Jacques Brel’s “Amsterdam” that was released in 1964 in French. When the song was written it was supposed to be based on the port of Antwerp, but “Dans le port D’Anvers” did not fit the meter. We …
Continue reading “In Amsterdam’s Port, there are Sailors ….”
Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa
When people hear the 1963 hit song “Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa” by Gene Pitney, they generally fall into two camps. Those who are wondering where was he, if he was 24 hours from Tulsa or those who wonder what Tulsa is like. Of course in the song he never makes it to Tulsa. Listen …
From Bruges to Gent
In his 1961 hit song “Marieke”, the Belgian singer, Jacques Brel sings about a Flemish girl, Marieke, whom he once loved and lived “between the towers of Bruges and Gent. It is the only song where he sings both in his native French language and in Flemish. Towers played an important part in medieval life. …
Beloved Isle Cayman
This is the tite of the national song of the Cayman Islands written by Leila Ross-Shier in 1930. Born on the island in 1896 she wrote a number of hymns and ballads. The national anthem of the island still remains “God Save the Queen”, but Ross-Shier’s lyrics are a more apt song for the island. …
Chariots of Fire
This edition we will be visiting the birthplace of the Greek composer Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou, otherwise known as Vangellis. He is probably best known in the UK as the composer of the soundtrack for the film “Chariots of Fire”. The 1981 film is based on the true story of two British athletes in the 1924 …
Formentera Lady
Houses iced in whitewash guard a pale shore-lineCornered by the cactus and the pineHere I wander where sweet sage and strange herbs growDown a sun-baked crumpled stony road. These opening lyrics to the 1969 song “Formentera Lady” by British band, King Crimson helps to explain why many musicians have found inspiration on the tiny island …
Indiana Wants Me
“Indiana Wants Me” is a 1970 song written by Canadian singer R Dean Taylor. It is reputed that he wrote the song after seeing the film “Bonnie and Clyde”. Whilst Indiana might have wanted R Dean Tayor, we want to visit Indiana and in particular the state capital of Indianapolis. The most famous event in …