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 …
Category Archives: Culture
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 …
The White Rose of Athens
The song “The White Rose of Athens” was based on a traditional Greek song which translated as “When you whistle three times”. The song was originally adapted into German as “Weiße Rosen aus Athen” for Nana Mouskouri to sing for a soundtrack on a German documentary called “Greece, land of dreams”. For most people that …
It was in Prague not so long ago
So goes the opening line of 1965 released song Prague by Rika Zaraï, an Israeli singer who not only sang in French, but English, Hebrew, Spanish, Italian and German. Rika lived most of her life in Paris where she made a career as a singer, songwriter, musician and author. Prague is a great place to …
Vanlose Stairway
Van Morrison wrote this song* about his Danish girlfriend Ulla Munch. She lived on the fourth floor of an apartment in the Vanlose district of Copenhagen. They lived together here from 1980 to 1983. The song itself was released in January 1982. Vanlose is on of the 10 districts of Copenhagen and also was home …
Then it’s the feeling like you’re also glad you came
We have a really tenuous link between our video and today’s destination. First enjoy the video and then we’ll explain the link. The title of today’s post is taken from the second line of the song. Many of you will be aware that Canadian born Nelly Furtado is of Portuguese ancestry and has from time …
Continue reading “Then it’s the feeling like you’re also glad you came”
Last Train to London
Last Train to London was released by ELO in 1979. One of the lines in the lyrics goes “The sun is going down”. When discussing London as a travel destintion its so difficult to know where to start. However going back to 1979 I remember going on a walk round the centre of London in …
Te Dejo Madrid
“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 …
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 …