One of the comments on last week’s first Tuesday Tunes post suggested that I should make this a regular feature. This seemed like a good idea, so I’m going to do it at least for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis – the number of each post will serve as a useful count at the start of each week the UK has been in lockdown, even if it serves no other purpose! I dipped my toe into this water last week by sharing two songs and, as I don’t intend these to become magnum opuses (opi?) – I’m going to stick with that format. Though, knowing how well I ever keep to a plan, there is no guarantee of that!
This week’s two songs are, in title at least, my little response to Covid. The first is from a man whose music I’ve loved for over 50 years, going right back to his days as a founder member of Fairport Convention. I have just about every album he has ever made (does anyone know where I can get Sunnyvista without breaking the bank?), and have seen him play live as part of the Fairports, with his then girlfriend – and later wife – Linda, solo and with his own band. I never tire of listening to the great Richard Thompson, a man who has written so many wonderful songs. This one gives us all a suitable message for these strange times in which we find ourselves:
Yes, I know it’s about a love affair and not a virus, and yes, I know I posted it as a #SongOfTheDay on my Facebook page recently, but so what? It’s a great song, deserves to be heard again, and the message transfers well!
Continuing my (very) loose theming, my second song this week is also about doomed love, rather than a virus, But the message could easily apply: it’s what we’re all wishing we could do to Covid-19, restrictions on our lives, and worries about whether we’ll be caught short of toilet paper. The band Del Amitri had a few years of success in the pop charts, and should, I feel, have had more. Derided by some as a ‘pop band,’ and somehow unworthy of the attention of serious musos (or pseuds), they produced some seriously good songs, and Justin Currie, their leader, wasn’t given the credit I felt he deserved for his songwriting abilities. This is what we all wish we could do to Covid-19 right now:
I hope you’ve enjoyed these two Tuesday Tunes. They may not really have anything to do with viruses, pandemics, incompetent governments or lockdowns, but they have, I hope, brought a little enjoyment into your life and brightened your day. We could all do with that right now!
Stay safe, isolate if that’s what you’re required to do – it makes sense – and be well. I’ll see you again next Tuesday for some more tunes that have nothing to do with Covid-19.
I also know songs that come in handy in times of the “Chinese bug”, to give an example….: https://youtu.be/Ogi3HLlmr40
#Plandemic #IdoNotVaccinate
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Good idea to keep count for us and we do need lots of music.
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I’m running a public service, on two counts 😉
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Great, Clive. I shall look out for this post next Tuesday. You could have Its the end of the world as we know it by R.E.M.
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Thanks, Robbie. I could use that song – I love REM – but it might not cheer people up 😂
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Well, there is a difference between the end of the world as we know it and the end of the world, isn’t there?
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Very true, and he does say that he feels fine! I once used that line as a title for a post 😊
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No surprise to see Richard Thompson but Del Amitri was one from the clouds. I always enjoy your music posts and your eclectic choices.
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Thanks, Michael. I was going for the very loose (contrived?) theme but wouldn’t post a song I don’t like! As I said, I think they were very underrated.
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Great stuff Clive. RT is a guitar God.
Stay well
Regards Thom
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He is indeed! Thanks Thom, you keep well too 👍
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I’m happy to see you continue this feature too, Clive. Two excellent picks, both new for me. I really like the second one! When I like a song the first time I hear it, that’s pretty good proof it’s going to have staying power with me.
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Many thanks for your kind words, Pete, I’m glad you liked them. They both date back a few years, though! If you want to find out more of Del Amitri, that song was the lead single from their ‘Waking Hours’ album, which I bought all those years ago and still play.
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Brilliant choices. I really enjoyed that! Thank you my friend xx
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Glad you did! You’re welcome 😊 xx
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These are great tunes. The one that comes to mind is The Police, Don’t Stand to Close to Me. you might enjoy this as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf4XxnL4lPk&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR2o_vocY4PIzfiN3YBqpsoS-k6aA8GC5LgHfbIFY-WqXjwRYnVz9pQ9Qao
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Thanks, Darlene. The Police one is on my list of possibles for future weeks: I think I’m going to need quite a lot before this is over! I’ve seen that video – a talented family!
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Here’s one to make you laugh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k0PYG7iDD8
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Thank you, that’s superb!
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Got to have a laugh, haven’t we?
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Never really followed Fairport Convention, but will check these out. Thanks Clive.
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Thank, Stevie, and thanks for sharing on Twitter too. RT has long since left Fairport but still plays with them on special occasions – I saw them a few years ago.
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Hi Clive, glad your staying safe and well. Here’s a link to another that you may like …
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Thanks Clive, hope all’s good with you too. And thanks for the link, it’s rather lovely, isn’t it? I didn’t realise Runrig were still going tbh, though that singer doesn’t look old enough to have been around in their heyday!
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Thanks Clive. I think they did a farewell concert/tour last year. They’ll be sadly missed by many.
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I remember buying some of their albums – I guess that must have been the 80s? I think Hearthammer may get a play later 😊
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