Author Archives: Michael Shih

My Prayer

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“My Prayer” is a 1939 popular song with music by the famous salon violinist Georges Boulanger and lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy. It was originally written by Boulanger with the title “Avant de Mourir” in 1926. The lyrics for this version were added by Kennedy in 1939. Glenn Miller recorded the song that year for a #2 hit and The Ink Spots’ version reached #3 as well that year. It has been recorded many times since, but the biggest hit version was a revival in 1956 by The Platters. This version reached #1 on the charts and was featured in the 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The Ink Spots’ version of the song was featured in the 1992 movie, Malcolm X. The song also became a tango in the italian version by Norma Bruni and Cinico Angelini’s orchestra (1940), “Sì, voglio vivere ancor!”.

By The Platters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAAArMpNKmE

Lyrics

When the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing When the twilight is gone you come into my heart And here in my heart you will stay while I pray

My prayer is to linger with you At the end of the day in a dream that’s divine My prayer is a rapture in blue With the world far away and your lips close to mine

Tonight while our hearts are aglow Oh tell me the words that I’m longing to know

My prayer and the answer you give May they still be the same for as long as we live That you’ll always be there at the end of my prayer

Mr. Sandman

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“Mr. Sandman”  is a popular song written by Pat Ballard which was published in 1954 and first recorded in that year by The Chordettes. The song’s lyrics convey a request to “Mr. Sandman” to “bring me a dream” – the traditional association with the folkloric figure, the sandman. The pronoun used to refer to the desired dream is often changed depending on the sex of the singer or group performing the song Some time later, Ballard also rewrote the lyrics for Christmas use as “Mr. Santa”. The chord progression in the chorus follows the circle of fifths for six chords in a row. Continue reading →

More Than I Can Say

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“More Than I Can Say” is a song written by Sonny Curtis and Jerry Allison, both former members of Buddy Holly’s band The Crickets. They recorded it in 1959 soon after Holly’s death and released it in 1960. Their original version hit #42 on British Record Retailer Chart on 5/12/60. It has been notably performed by singers Bobby Vee and Leo Sayer. Continue reading →

Moonlight swim 藍色夏威夷

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“Moonlight Swim” was a hit song written by Ben Weisman and Sylvia Dee, and recorded by Nick Noble for Mercury Records. Noble reached Billboard’s #37 spot on the Billboard charts in September of 1957. The song ultimately belongs to the late Anthony Perkins, who, with this song peaked #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1957 (the same year as Noble). The song was also later recorded by Elvis Presley and included in the soundtrack for his 1961 film Blue Hawaii. Continue reading →