“Writers are liars, my dear, surely you know that by now? And yet, things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot.” - Neil Gaiman - Dream Country
Artist: Wham! Title: Last Christmas Favourite Lyrics: Last Christmas I gave you my heart But the very next day you gave it away
Why?: Have I mentioned lately I never left the 80s?
I think this song is great. It actually doesn't sound like a Christmas song until you hear the sleigh bells part way through. It's your typical 80s new wave synthpop. And it doubles as a Christmas song that's going to be overplayed at every single party you go do. Take heart. There are far worse offerings out there (looks at Mariah Carey). George Michael was a great singer and song writer and this song gets a bum rap because radio stations don't know what else to do in December. One can, after all, only play Band Aid so many times before Sir Bob Geldof himself calls in to complain.
Artist: Aretha Franklin and George Michael Title: I Knew You Were Waiting For Me Favourite Lyrics: When the river was deep, I didn't falter When the mountain was high, I still believed When the valley was low, It didn't stop me I knew you were waiting, I knew you were waiting for me
Why?: In tribute to Aretha Franklin, I racked my brain. Of course “Respect” is a great song and would have been the go to for her. But in my own personal list of music and what it means to me, this is the first song I could recall from my youth where I knew who she was. She was that older black singer with a great voice and she’s singing a song with George Michael. I liked this song. The lyrics still speak to me. The songs I like are about love. This chorus is no different. But there’s momentum here. A desire to move forward because my lover will wait for me to reach these goals. Note: This was originally published with video link and lyric choice only.
