The northern lights in the song title “Northern Lights” by the band Renaissance are actually a reference to the northern lights of England. So there is just a play on words in the title and no actual reference to the Aurora Borealis in the lyrics. The Northern Lights or to give them their technical name, …
Category Archives: Europe
I Imagine the Country
The song has its origins in the summer of 1989 just prior to the collapse of communism. At a local festival Dežo Ursiny sang John Lennon’s Imagine. This was followed by a Slovak version written by Ivan Štrpka. The Slovak version became “Predstavujem Si Krajinu” (I imagine the country). At the time it symbolised living …
Spanish Bombs
Strangely enough I came across this song, just a couple of days after returning from Madrid, where on my list was a visit to the Museo Nactional Art Reina Sofia. The museum is housed in a former hospital and provides a great space for view modern and contemporary art. It is most famous for the …
History in Food I
Esterházy (Torta) Cake is a reminder of the fact that modern day Hungary was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of the First World War. It was named after Prince Paul III Anton Esterházy who was an Austrian Diplomat who served at the Austrian Ambassador in London from 1815 to 1842. In Hungary …
Warszawa
For this posting we highlight another track by David Bowie featuring the title of another European City. “Warszawa” was released on the album “Low” in January 1977 and was regularly used as the opening number on his live shows. Part of the melody is said to be based on a Polish folk song and was …
Come take a break and go Mallorca
So sang Loft in their 1996 single “Mallorca”. Loft a German band founded by two Jamaican brothers Courtney and Richard Williams had a number of chart hits with their earlier singles but this one unfortunately didn’t but became a club favourite. However as we grow older we start to appreciate a different side to Mallorca. …
Budapest with George
George Ezra wrote his song Budapest despite not having actually been there. He was touring Europe and it was on his list of places to visit but he got a little hung over and missed his train. The video below was when George actually made it to Budapest. The British have had a big influence …
Halidiki
This week’s musical inspiration is the work of two of Europe’s best known DJs, brothers, Dimitri and Micheal Thivalos aka Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. Although of Greek origin the brothers were born and grew up in Belgium. Over the years they lived in Ibiza, Mallorca and today’s destination Halidiki as they honed their skills …
The Road and the Miles to Dundee
Why the young lassie (girl) was out on the moor alone and needed directions to Dundee is not made clear. Maybe she didn’t have access to Google Maps. Fortunately a gallant gentlemen shows her the way. This traditional song has been performed by many singers over the years. This version is by Alistair Hulett. He …
It Always Rains in Wuppertal
No words or video in today’s track. Everything is in the title. Pyrolater aka is a German musician and record producer. . Wuppertal is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany located in the Wupper Valley. east of Dusseldorf. It is best known these days for its suspension railway or Schwebebahn as it is known locally, …