“Cheira bem, já tem sol, Cheira a lua, cheira a Lisboa” which translates as “Smells good, it’s sunny, smells like the moon, smells like Lisbon”. The song by Belgium born Wendy Nazaré and French singer Pep’s, is about the delights of Lisbon as well as referring to historical events such as the Great Earthquake of …
Category Archives: Europe
Rīga, mana Rīga, tevi mīlu es
“Riga, my Riga, I love you”, is a popular Latvian song written based upon the poetry of Aleksandrs Čaks, a famous Latvian poet. Čaks was born in Riga and much of his poetry was written about the wonderful city of Riga and its people. There is a street named after him. Arturs Maskats composed the …
Nostalgia de Milan
Giovanni D’Anzi is the writer of the song that bares the title “Nostalgia de Milan”. He was born in Milan in 1906 and wrote many songs relating to Milan. He is most famous for this song ” O mia bela Madonina“. Written in 1934 as a counter to the songs of the Napolean immigrants and …
I would walk 500 miles
There cannot be a more evocative song from the modern era that transports you to Scotland. As Craig and Charlie Reid sing “I would walk 500 miles” you are instantly taken to the land of castles, whisky, glen, bens and lochs. Starting and ending at Inverness Castle the North 500, is a 516 mile route …
Adieu les tours de La Rochelle
“Farewell to the towers of La Rochelle” sang “Les Binuchards” a French “rock festif” group based in Gémozac about an hours drive south of La Rochelle about a sailor setting out on a voyage. The towers of La Rochelle refer to the three towers that formed part of the towns historic fortifications. The Saint Nicolas …
Granada
“Granada, tierra soñada por mí” or in English “Granada, land of dreams for me” wrote the Mexican composer Agustín Lara in 1932. From the 1940s onwards he became well known in Spain and in 1965, the Franco gave him a house in Granada in appreciation of his songs with Spanish themes. Granada, Seville and Madrid …
We’re all going on a summer holiday.
“We’re going where the sun shines brightlyWe’re going where the sea is blue” So sung Cliff Richard in the film “Summer Holiday” as he drove his No.9 London bus from London to the South of France via Dover and Paris. With the lifting of restrictions on non-essential travel to certain overseas destinations we can all …
Where are we now?
This week we are in Berlin. In 2013 having not released any new material for 10 years David Bowie released his 24th album “The Next Day” on his 66th birthday. The first single to be released from that album was “Where are we now?” and reached no 6 in the UK charts and no 2 …
Oh Vienna
Voted the most popular song to peak at Number 2 in the charts. Vienna by Ultravox takes us of to the historic city of the same name. Written by Midge Ure about a brief love affair in this is often forgotten romantic city. Initially drawn to Vienna by the “Best Ever British Film” The Third …
Sometimes
“Sometimes” is the last track from the excellent BBC series “Normal People” based on the book by Sally Rooney is a reminder that we don’t always have to travel halfway round the world to have a wonderful short break or a super holiday. Sometimes we don’t have far to go. Just a short flight or …