Smokey Robinson獲艾拉獎

黑人靈魂歌后Aretha Franklin 九月12日將在華盛頓甘迺迪中心獲得一項由Thelonius Monk Institute所頒發的爵士樂締造者獎。另外Smokey Robinson則將於九月19日於比佛利山獲得由歌唱家協會所頒發的艾拉獎，這個獎名是紀念已故爵士女歌手Ella Fitzgerald.。


Smokey Robinson 1940年出生於底特律，是著名的歌星與作曲人，學生時代就組了The Miracles（當時叫The Matadors）合唱團，他寫了非常多首歌給黑人靈魂歌曲的大本營Motown唱片公司的歌星們，1985-1988年還當過Motown的副總裁。Smokey Robinson自己的作品也相當多，其中名次最好的是1981年獲5週冠軍的Being With You。

Smokey Robinson個人於1972年離開The Miracles後在歷年暢銷歌星排行榜獲得第189名，但他與The Miracles合作時代的成績更好，是歷年暢銷歌星合唱團排行榜獲得第44名的超級R＆B合唱團，當年的Shop Around、You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me、The Tracks Of Tears、I Second That Emotion與The Tears Of A Clown都是黑人靈魂歌曲歌迷們耳熟能詳的歌。



Being With You



I don't care what they think of me

And I don't care what they say

I don't care what they think if you're leavin'

I'm gonna beg you to stay

I don't care if they start to avoid me

I don't care what they do

I don't care about anything else

But bein' with you

Bein' with you

Honey, don't go

Don't leave this scene

Be out of the picture

And off of the screen

Don't let them say

We told you so

They tell me you love me

And then let me go

I heard the warnin' voice

From friends and my relations

They tell me all about your

Heart-break reputation

But I don't care what they think about me

And I don't care what they say, no

I don't care what they think if you're leavin'

I'm gonna beg you to stay

I don't care if they start to avoid me

I don't care what they do

I don't care about anything else

But bein' with you

Bein' with you

People can change they always do

Haven't they noticed the changes in you

Or can it be that like love I am blind

Do I want it so much

'Til it's all in my mind

One thing I know for sure

It's really, really, real

I never felt before

The way you make me feel

I don't care what they think about me

And I don't care what they say

I don't care what they think if you're leavin'

I'm gonna beg you to stay

I don't care if they start to avoid me

I don't care what they do

I don't care about anything else

But bein' with you

Bein' with you

Bein' with you

Bein' with you

I don't care about anything else

But bein' with you

Bein' with you

Bein' with you

歌迷懷念John Denver

儘管數以千計的民眾簽名請求將科羅拉多州Aspen西部的Sopris山改名為John Denver，但美國主管地名的委員會已表示他們將拒絕此項計畫，John Denver寫過且唱紅Rocky Mountain High這首歌，委員會指出聯邦政策反對在荒野地區的土地重新命名，不過覆核申請書已送交委員會，他們可以花一年的時間決定，當地的民調顯示 74%的居民反對這一構想，目前的Sopris山因紀念某一任丹佛市長而命名，他早年在當地領導過民眾採礦。


John Denver 1943年出生於新墨西哥州，1997年10月12日因駕輕航機失事在加州海岸喪生（53歲），他早年是民謠合唱團Chad Mitchell Trio的一員，後來寫過另一個民謠合唱團Peter Paul And Mary的名曲Leaving On A Jet Plane，1971 年John終於以Take Me Home Country Road成名。

John Denver 1977年與喬治伯恩斯主演過一部叫Oh God的電影，這部片子裡John Denver沒有唱歌，故事是說上帝下凡叫他做一些事…，我是後來買到DVD才看過這部電影。

John Denver作品很多，在歷年暢銷歌星排行榜獲得第86名，是1970年代影視圈的紅人。

Rocky Mountain High 1972年曾獲第9名。



Rocky Mountain High



He was born in the summer of his 27th year,

coming home to a place he'd never been before.

He left yesterday behind him

you might say he was born again,

might say he found a key for every door.

When he first came to the mountains

His life was far away

on the road and hanging by a song.

But the strings already broken

and he doesn't really care,

it keeps changin' fast, and it don't last for long.

It's a Colorado Rocky Mountain High,

I've seen it raining fire in the sky

The shadows from the starlight are softer than a lullabye.

Rocky Mountain High, ...in Colorado....

Rocky Mountain High.



He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below,

saw everything as far as you can see.

And they say that he got crazy once and that he

tried to touch the sun,

and he lost a friend, but kept the memory.

Now he walks in quiet solitude, the forest and the stream,

seeking grace in every step he takes,

his sight is turned inside himself, to try and

understand, the serenity of a clear blue mountain lake.



And the Colorado Rocky Mountain High,

I've seen it raining fire in the sky

You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply.

Rocky Mountain High, ....in Colorado....

Rocky Mountain High.



Now his life is full of wonder,

but his heart still knows some fear,

of the simple things he can not comprehend.

Why they try to tear the mountains down

to bring in a couple more.

More people, more scars upon the land.



It's the Colorado Rocky Mountain High,

I've seen it raining fire in the sky

I know he'd be a poorer man if he never saw an Eagle fly

Rocky mountain high

It's the Colorado Rocky Mountain High,

I've seen it raining fire in the sky.

Friend around the camp fire and everybody's high....

Rocky Mountain High, Rocky Mountain High,

Rocky Mountain High,

Rocky Mountain High.

Bobby Goldsboro開畫展

Bobby Goldsboro的畫展這個月在佛羅里達州Ft. Meyers展出，Bobby於8月5日舉辦了開幕典禮，而次日他拍賣一幅畫捐做公益。


Bobby Goldsboro 1941年出生於佛羅里達州Marianna，1962-1964年曾與著名的歌手Roy Orbison一同巡迴演出，1972-1975年他有自己的電視節目The Bobby Goldsboro Show。
Bobby Goldsboro有不少抒情歌曲相當動聽，如：See The Funny Little Clown、Blue Autumn、Autumn Of My Life、The Straight Life、I’m A Driffter與Watching Scotty Grow等，1968年的5週冠軍曲Honey是他名次最好的歌。

Bobby Goldsboro在歷年暢銷歌星排行榜獲得第195名。



Honey

(Bobby Russel)

See the tree, how big it's grown

But friend it hasn't been too long

It wasn't big

I laughed at her and she got mad

The first day that she planted it, was just a twig

Then the first snow came

And she ran out to brush the snow away

So it wouldn't die

Came runnin' in all excited

Slipped and almost hurt herself

And I laughed till I cried

She was always young at heart

Kinda dumb and kinda smart and I loved her so

And I surprised her with a puppy

Kept me up all Christmas Eve two years ago

And it would sure embarrass her

When I came in from workin' late

'Cause I would know

That she'd been sittin' there and cryin'

Over some sad and silly late, late show

And honey, I miss you

And I'm bein' good

And I'd love to be with you

If only I could

She wrecked the car and she was sad

And so afraid that I'd be mad

But what the heck

Though I pretended hard to be

Guess you could say she saw through me

And hugged my neck

I came home unexpectedly

And caught her cryin' needlessly

In the middle of the day

And it was in the early Spring

When flowers bloom and robins sing

She went away

And honey, I miss you

And I'm bein' good

And I'd love to be with you

If only I could

One day while I was not at home

While she was there and all alone

The angels came

Now all I have is memories of Honey

And I wake up nights and call her name

Now my life's an empty stage

Where Honey lived and Honey played

And love grew up

And a small cloud passes overhead

And cries down on the flower bed

That Honey loved

And see the tree how big it's grown

But friend it hasn't been too long

It wasn't big

And I laughed at her and she got mad

The first day that she planted it, was just a twig

Olivia Newton-John為環保抗爭

Olivia Newton-John 7月31日發表一封公開信給媒体，譴責煤氣的開採，她呼籲澳大利亞政府禁止煤氣的勘探和開採，直到健康、社會和環境風險充分探討過，Olivia在澳洲北海岸擁有二處房地產，其中之一是一個豪華的健身渡假中心。


Olivia Newton-John出生於英國劍橋，在澳洲墨爾本長大，祖父是德國諾貝爾獎得主物理學家Max Born，她16歲時因才藝比賽得冠軍得到機會去英國旅行而踏入歌壇，1970年代初期開始的二十年間有不少暢銷曲，還與John Travolta合作過Grease「火爆浪子」、Xanadu「仙納杜的狂熱」等出名的電影，在歷年暢銷歌星排行榜上是第33名的巨星。

Olivia Newton-John在自己演的電影裡唱了不少插曲，其中與John Travolta合唱的You’re The One That I Want於1978年曾獲排行榜冠軍。



You're The One That I Want

I got chills.

They're multiplyin'.

And I'm losin' control.

'Cause the power

you're suplyin',

it's electrifyin'!

You better shape up,

'cause I need a man

and my heart is set on you.

You better shape up;

you better understand

to my heart I must be true.

Nothin' left, nothin' left for me to do.

You're the one that I want.

(you are the one i want), o,o, oo, honey.

The one that I want.

(you are the one i want), o,o,oo, honey.

The one that I want

You, o,o, oo

are what I need.

Oh, yes indeed.

If you're filled

with affection

you're to shy to convey,

meditate in my direction.

Feel your way.

I better shape up,

'cause you need a man

i need a man

who can keep me satisfied.

I better shape up

if I'm gonna prove

oh you better prove

that my faith is justified.

Are you sure? Yes, I'm sure down deep inside.

You're the one that I want.

You, o,o, oo, honey.

The one that I want.

You, o,o,oo, honey.

The one that I want

You, oo, oo

are what I need.

Oh, yes indeed.

Meat Loaf'錯過為紅人隊開球

Meat Loaf  7月28日無法在美國職棒辛辛那提紅人隊賽前開球，他本來排好行程要代表當地創辦基金會的一個得癌症的女病患去投球，但前一晚他在匹茲堡表演時哮喘病發作，迫使他休息十分鐘後才恢復演出，也因身体健康狀況不佳迫他次日無法去棒球場。

Meat Loaf 1947年出生於德州達拉斯，本名Marvin Lee Aday（不是合唱團），是一位Theatrical Rock 「劇場搖滾」歌手，這一派歌手與合唱團還有Alice Cooper、David Bowie、Kiss等都以誇張的化妝或舞台表演出名。

Meat Loaf 1978年的Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad’曾獲得排行榜第11名，是一首很好聽的搖滾歌謠，也是他的成名曲，1993年的I’d Do Anything For Love（But I Won’t Do That）則連續獲得五週排行榜冠軍，是他名次最好的歌，這首歌獲得當年葛萊美最佳搖滾歌曲演唱獎，女聲合唱部份是由Lorraine Crosby擔綱，這首歌長將近12分鐘，喜歡搖滾樂的朋友不能錯過。

I’d Do Anything For Love（But I Won’t Do That）

And I would do anything for love,
I'd run right into hell and back.
I would do anything for love,
I'll never lie to you and that's a fact.

But I'll never forget the way you feel right now, oh no, no way.
And I would do anything for love,
Oh I would do anything for love,
I would do anything for love,
But I won't do that,
No I won't do that.

And some days it don't come easy,
And some days it don't come hard,
Some days it don't come at all, and these are the days that never end.

And some nights you're breathing fire.
And some nights you're carved in ice.
Some nights you're like nothing I've ever seen before or will again.

And maybe I'm crazy.
Oh it's crazy and it's true.
I know you can save me, no one else can save me now but you.

As long as the planets are turning.
As long as the stars are burning.
As long as your dreams are coming true, you'd better believe it!

That I would do anything for love,
And I'll be there till the final act.
And I would do anything for love,
And I'll take the vow and seal a pact.

But I'll never forgive myself if we don't go all the way, tonight.

And I would do anything for love,
But I won't do that.
No, I won't do that!

I would do anything for love,
Anything you've been dreaming of,
But I just won't do that.
[x2]

[Solo]
And some days I pray for silence,
And some days I pray for soul,
Some days I just pray to the god of sex and drums and rock 'n' roll!

And maybe I'm lonely,
That's all I'm qualified to be.
There's just one and only, one and only promise I can keep.

As long as the wheels are turning.
As long as the fires are burning.
As long as your prayers are coming true, you'd better believe it!

That I would do anything for love,
And you know it's true and that's a fact.
I would do anything for love,
And there'll never be no turning back.

But I'll never do it better than I do it with you, so long, so long.
And I would do anything for love,
Oh, I would do anything for love,
I would do anything for love,
But I won't do that.
No, no, no, I won't do.....

I would do anything for love.
Anything you've been dreaming of.
But I just won't do that!
[x3]

But I'll never stop dreaming of you,
Every night of my life.
No way.

And I would do anything for love.
But I won't do that.
No I won't do that.


[Girl]
Will you raise me up, will you help me down?
Will you get me right out of this God forsaken town?
Will you make it all a little less cold?

[Boy]
I can do that. Oh I can do that.

[Girl]
Will you cater to every fantasy I've got?
Will you hose me down with holy water, if I get too hot? Hot!
Will you take me places I've never known?

[Boy]
Now I can do that! Oh oh now, I can do that!

[Girl]
After awhile you'll forget everything.
It was a brief interlude
And a midsummer night's fling,
And you'll see that it's time to move on.

[Boy]
I won't do that. I won't do that.

[Girl}
I know the territory, I've been around,
It'll all turn to dust and will all fall down,
Sooner or later, you'll be screwing around.

[Boy]
I won't do that. No, I won't do that.

Anything for love,
Oh, I would do anything for love,
I would do anything for love,
But I won't do that.
No, I won't do that.

America合唱團的團員去世

America合唱團的主唱與吉它手Dan Peek 7月24日在他米蘇里州Farmington故鄉於睡夢中去世（60歲），Dan出生於佛羅里達州的Panama City，與Dewey Bunnell 和Gerry Beckley二位夥伴都是駐防英國的美國空軍子弟，他們1971年在華納唱片推出第一張專輯但成績不佳，直到單曲A Horse With No Name在1972年獲得三週排行榜冠軍才走紅，之後他們出了很多Top 40的暢銷曲如："Ventura Highway" (#8-1972), "I Need You" (#9-1972), "Don't Cross The River" (#35-1973), "Tin Man" (#4-1974) "Lonely People" (#5-1974) 和1975年再獲排行榜冠軍的"Sister Golden Hair,1973年開始，Beatles合唱團前製作人George Martin也幫他們製作唱片。


1977年Dan Peek離開America合唱團去唱宗教歌曲，他第一張專輯All Things Are Possible在宗教歌曲排行榜得到冠軍，而Dewey 與Gerry則變身二重唱仍有二首Top 40暢銷曲(他們三人都能唱)，Dan 後來與Ken Marvin和 Brian Gentry 組 Peace. 合唱團。

America合唱團於2006 年被選入合唱團名人堂，在歷年暢銷歌星與合唱團排行榜獲得第236名，而Dan Peek於2004 年寫了自傳"An American Band"「一個美國樂隊」。



A Horse With No Name

- written by Dewey Bunnell



On the first part of the journey

I was looking at all the life

There were plants and birds and rocks and things

There was sand and hills and rings

The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz

And the sky with no clouds

The heat was hot and the ground was dry

But the air was full of sound



I've been through the desert on a horse with no name

It felt good to be out of the rain

In the desert you can remember your name

'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain

La, la ...



After two days in the desert sun

My skin began to turn red

After three days in the desert fun

I was looking at a river bed

And the story it told of a river that flowed

Made me sad to think it was dead



You see I've been through the desert on a horse with no name

It felt good to be out of the rain

In the desert you can remember your name

'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain

La, la ...



After nine days I let the horse run free

'Cause the desert had turned to sea

There were plants and birds and rocks and things

there was sand and hills and rings

The ocean is a desert with it's life underground

And a perfect disguise above

Under the cities lies a heart made of ground

But the humans will give no love



You see I've been through the desert on a horse with no name

It felt good to be out of the rain

In the desert you can remember your name

'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain

La, la ...

美國農民之友Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson 8月13日將被選入位於堪薩斯州Bonner Springs的農業名人堂，而當天舉辦的第26屆支援農民的Farm Aid 演唱會也在堪薩斯市附近進行，Willie Nelson在演唱會中也將被表揚。


Willie Nelson 1933年出生於德州Abbott，是一位多產的鄉村歌手與作曲者，曾寫過Patsy Cline的名曲Crazy，也幫Ray Price彈過貝斯，他有116首鄉村歌曲排行榜暢銷曲，與Waylon Jennings、Merle Haggard、Julio Iglesias合作的歌都曾獲頒最佳二重唱獎，他於西元2000年即獲頒葛萊美終生成就獎。

Willie Nelson在流行歌壇名次最好的歌是1982年獲得第5名的Always On My Mind，這首歌也是BMI全美最常播出的百首歌曲榜第60名，1988年Pet Shop Boys重唱這首歌名次更好，曾獲得第4名。

Willie Nelson在以流行歌曲榜名次統計出的歷年暢銷歌星排行榜也獲得第420名。


Always On My Mind


Songwriters: Thompson, Wayne Carson; Christopher, Johnny; James, Mark;



Maybe I didn't love you

Quite as often as I could have

Maybe I didn't treat you

Quite as good as I should have



If I made you feel second best

Girl I'm sorry I was blind

You were always on my mind

You were always on my mind



Maybe I didn't hold you

All those lonely, lonely times

And I guess I never told you

I'm so happy that you're mine



Little things I should have said and done

I just never took the time

You were always on my mind

You were always on my mind



Tell me

Tell me that your sweet love hasn't died

And give me

Give me one more chance to keep you satisfied

I'll keep you satisfied



Little things I should have said and done

I just never took the time

You were always on my mind

You were always on my mind



You were always on my mind

You were always on my mind