Friday, March 31, 2017

200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #185. Continues: next week.

CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS
200 SONGS
WITH THE
BEST LYRICS
A countdown of the 200 songs possessing the best lyrics of all-time. A playlist on spotify will be added at the end of the week.
#185
YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO
“…I don’t know how I got outside,
I don’t know why I’m on this ride...
Carly Simon's 1983 single "You Know What To Do" explores what happens when someone overpowers your instinct and exerts control over your actions. You want to resist, but you are powerless. Carnal desire engulfs you as you submit- again. Simon's lyrics were co-written with Jacob Brackman. The track was featured on her album 'Hello Big Man'.
As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte
TOP 45 ESC SONGS THAT WERE CULLED AT THE SEMI-FINALS.: #18. More: tomorrow.
Caffe` Latte` presents…
THE TOP
EUROVISION SONGS
THAT FAILED TO QUALIFY
 AT THE SEMI-FINALS
As more countries wished to participate in the  Eurovision Song Contest, Semi-Finals became necessary by 1993 in order to limit the duration of the Grand Final. This countdown looks back on 45 culled – but worthy- entries that failed to progress from a Semi-Final and therefore missed out on competing in the Grand Final:

18
WHAT FOR?
AISHA
2010 LATVIA
Despite some clumsy lyrics, including references to "Mr God" and her 'Uncle Joe", Aisha deserved to fare much better at Eurovision. In the first  Semi-Final for 2010, "What For?" finished in last place. 
Aisha What For.jpg
To get you in the mood for Eurovision in Kiev, check out Caffé Latté’s special ESC playlist on Spotify.

spotify:user:4alanrosscaffelatte
HISTORY OF THE ESC. Part 27: 2009. Continues: next week.
THE HISTORY OF THE
EUROVISION
SONG CONTEST
Caffé Latté  looks back on the key moments of Europe’s annual competition.
2009
Theme art
Following the Russian triumph of 2008, Eurovision was hosted by Moscow the following year. Russia's ESC was a major event and showcased the country's technological expertise. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin even took time out to inspect preparations for the Contest at the venue. 
Another innovation was each nation's results consisting of televoting and jury votes (50% each). The new system saw Iceland finish 2nd with 218 points and Norway achieving a convincing lead with 387 points. Thus, a new record was set by "Fairytale" by Alexander Rybak. 

Thursday, March 30, 2017

TOP 45 ESC SONGS THAT WERE CULLED AT THE SEMI-FINALS.: #19. More: tomorrow.
Caffe` Latte` presents…
THE TOP
EUROVISION SONGS
THAT FAILED TO QUALIFY
 AT THE SEMI-FINALS
As more countries wished to participate in the  Eurovision Song Contest, Semi-Finals became necessary by 1993 in order to limit the duration of the Grand Final. This countdown looks back on 45 culled – but worthy- entries that failed to progress from a Semi-Final and therefore missed out on competing in the Grand Final:

19
FALLING STARS
LIDIA ISAC
2016 MOLDOVA
Despite an energetic delivery, Lidia Isac's "Falling Stars" was stopped at  the first Semi-Final in 2016. Moldova's entry finished 2nd last in that heat. 
ESC2016 - Moldova Meet & Greet 06.jpg
To get you in the mood for Eurovision in Kiev, check out Caffé Latté’s special ESC playlist on Spotify.

spotify:user:4alanrosscaffelatte
200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #186. Continues: tomorrow.
CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS
200 SONGS
WITH THE
BEST LYRICS
A countdown of the 200 songs possessing the best lyrics of all-time. A playlist on spotify will be added at the end of the week.
#186
RESPECT YOURSELF
“…If you disrespect anybody you run into,
How in the world do you think anybody’s s’posed to respect you?...
Luther Ingram and Mack Rice created the soul classic "Respect Yourself"", It became a major R&B / Pop hit in 1971 for The Staple Singers. The song's main message is that respect must begin with the individual. Many acts have covered the song over the years, including The Kane Gang and Bruce Willis.
As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte
TOP 45 ESC SONGS THAT WERE CULLED AT THE SEMI-FINALS.: #20. More: later today.
Caffe` Latte` presents…
THE TOP
EUROVISION SONGS
THAT FAILED TO QUALIFY
 AT THE SEMI-FINALS
As more countries wished to participate in the  Eurovision Song Contest, Semi-Finals became necessary by 1993 in order to limit the duration of the Grand Final. This countdown looks back on 45 culled – but worthy- entries that failed to progress from a Semi-Final and therefore missed out on competing in the Grand Final:

20
ON TOP OF THE WORLD
EDSILIA ROMBLEY
2007 NETHERLANDS
This entry finished #21 out of the 28 songs that competed during the Semi-Final.Edsilia Rombley's catchy "On Top Of The World" was given a mighty effort but failed to attract enough votes to progress further.
 Erombley.jpg
To get you in the mood for Eurovision in Kiev, check out Caffé Latté’s special ESC playlist on Spotify.

spotify:user:4alanrosscaffelatte
HISTORY OF THE ESC. Part 26: 2008. Continues: tomorrow.
THE HISTORY OF THE
EUROVISION
SONG CONTEST
Caffé Latté  looks back on the key moments of Europe’s annual competition.
2008
Theme art
"Molitva", Serbia's entry in 2007, remains the only winning song not sung in English since the rules allowing a country to use any language were relaxed. 
Eurovision was hosted by the Serbian city of Belgrade in 2008. More countries were added that year, which led to the introduction of a 2nd semi-final. Both had 19 countries competing for a chance to be part of the Grand Final. The previous year's scores no longer affected a country's eligibility. 
The 2008 Grand Final featured the host nation (Serbia's entry), the 'Big 4" countries and the 10 highest scoring nations from each of the 2 Semi-Finals. Of that year's 25 finalists, Dima Bilan emerged the victor with his song "Believe". Eurovision would be hosted by the Russian capital in 2009.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

TOP 45 ESC SONGS THAT WERE CULLED AT THE SEMI-FINALS.: #21. More: tomorrow.
Caffe` Latte` presents…
THE TOP
EUROVISION SONGS
THAT FAILED TO QUALIFY
 AT THE SEMI-FINALS
As more countries wished to participate in the  Eurovision Song Contest, Semi-Finals became necessary by 1993 in order to limit the duration of the Grand Final. This countdown looks back on 45 culled – but worthy- entries that failed to progress from a Semi-Final and therefore missed out on competing in the Grand Final:

21
SING IT AWAY
SANDHJA
2016 FINLAND
Finland was the first entry heard during Semi-Final 1 in 2016. Sandhja performed the energetic English language song "Sing It Away". Despite its uplifting message, the Finnish song finished 15th out of 19 entries.
 Sandhja - Sing It Away.jpg
To get you in the mood for Eurovision in Kiev, check out Caffé Latté’s special ESC playlist on Spotify.

spotify:user:4alanrosscaffelatte
200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #187. Continues: tomorrow.
CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS
200 SONGS
WITH THE
BEST LYRICS
A countdown of the 200 songs possessing the best lyrics of all-time. A playlist on spotify will be added at the end of the week.
#187
WHERE DO YOU GO TO
(MY LOVELY)?
“…Tell me the thoughts that surround you,
I want to look inside your head...
Peter Sarstedt is most famous for his 1969 UK #1 single "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?". His lyrics involve a woman who mixes in the finest circles, enjoying a glamorous existence. Underneath the enviable lifestyle and luxury, the song later reveals she came from very humble beginnings. 
Almost 30 years later, the story of Marie-Claire was updated in Sarstedt's sequel "The Last Of the Breed".
As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte
TOP 45 ESC SONGS THAT WERE CULLED AT THE SEMI-FINALS.: #22. More: later today.
Caffe` Latte` presents…
THE TOP
EUROVISION SONGS
THAT FAILED TO QUALIFY
 AT THE SEMI-FINALS
As more countries wished to participate in the  Eurovision Song Contest, Semi-Finals became necessary by 1993 in order to limit the duration of the Grand Final. This countdown looks back on 45 culled – but worthy- entries that failed to progress from a Semi-Final and therefore missed out on competing in the Grand Final:

22
HASTA LA VISTA
RUSLAN ALEKHNO
2008 BELARUS
Belarus was represented by Ruslan Alekhno singing a song in English with a Spanish title. "Hasta La Vista" competed during Semi Final 2 among 18 other nations. The song was terminated there, finishing in 17th place.
Ruslan Alekhno, Belarus, Eurovision 2008.jpg
To get you in the mood for Eurovision in Kiev, check out Caffé Latté’s special ESC playlist on Spotify.

spotify:user:4alanrosscaffelatte
HISTORY OF THE ESC. Part 25: 2004. Continues: tomorrow.
THE HISTORY OF THE
EUROVISION
SONG CONTEST
Caffé Latté  looks back on the key moments of Europe’s annual competition.
2004

Theme art
Eurovision had a distinctly diverse flavour in 2004 as the exotic city of Istanbul played host. With the ever expanding list of nations desiring to participate in the ESC, a semi final was introduced. The 10 countries achieving the highest scores from a field of 22 competitors would qualify. The other 12 were culled for that year.
The Grand Final featured the 10 successful entries from the semi final, the host country (Turkey), the 'Big 4' countries (UK, France, Spain & Germany) and the 10 highest scoring countries from 2003.
Of the 24 finalists, Ukraine ended the evening with a win for Ruslana's energetic performance of "Wild Dances".
Wild Dances.jpg

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

TOP 45 ESC SONGS THAT WERE CULLED AT THE SEMI-FINALS.: #23. More: tomorrow.
Caffe` Latte` presents…
THE TOP
EUROVISION SONGS
THAT FAILED TO QUALIFY
 AT THE SEMI-FINALS
As more countries wished to participate in the  Eurovision Song Contest, Semi-Finals became necessary by 1993 in order to limit the duration of the Grand Final. This countdown looks back on 45 culled – but worthy- entries that failed to progress from a Semi-Final and therefore missed out on competing in the Grand Final:

23
SUNLIGHT
NICKY BYRNE
2016 IRELAND
Ireland still holds the record for the most wins at the Eurovision Song Contest. Last year, former Westlife member Nicky Byrne performed the Irish entry :Sunlight". Armed with pop hooks, the song ought to have fared better. In Semi-Final 2, it finished 15th out of a field of 18 songs.
Sunlight - Nicky Byrne.jpg
To get you in the mood for Eurovision in Kiev, check out Caffé Latté’s special ESC playlist on Spotify.

spotify:user:4alanrosscaffelatte
BEFORE THE HIT VERSION. This post: LVI- YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL. Continues: next week.
BEFORE IT WAS A HIT SONG
These songs are well known but you may not know about the earlier attempts to score a hit record with prior versions of the same song.
You Are So Beautiful
You Are So Beautiful single cover.jpg
Joe Cocker's version is the best known interpretation of "You Are So Beautiful". His remake was a chart hit in 1974. The single peaked at #4 on the American Pop Chart. 
Billy Preston co-wrote the love song with Bruce Fisher and the original version was included on the former's 1974 album 'The Kids & Me'.
The Kids And Me.jpg
Each new song will be added to the spotify playlist named: ‘Before It Was A Hit Song’.  You can check out the previous earlier / original versions of the hit songs you know and love.
The playlist and other Caffe` Latte` selections can be found at:
spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte
TOP 45 ESC SONGS THAT WERE CULLED AT THE SEMI-FINALS.: #24. More: later today.
Caffe` Latte` presents…
THE TOP
EUROVISION SONGS
THAT FAILED TO QUALIFY
 AT THE SEMI-FINALS
As more countries wished to participate in the  Eurovision Song Contest, Semi-Finals became necessary by 1993 in order to limit the duration of the Grand Final. This countdown looks back on 45 culled – but worthy- entries that failed to progress from a Semi-Final and therefore missed out on competing in the Grand Final:

24
YOUR HEART BELONGS TO ME
HIND
2008 NETHERLANDS
During Semi-Final 1 in 2008, Dutch soloist Hind performed her entry "Your Heart Belongs To Me". She co-wrote the song. Sadly, the Netherlands missed out on a place in the Grand Final when the upbeat track finished 13th out of 19 countries.
ESC 2008 - Netherlands - Hind, 1st semifinal.jpg
To get you in the mood for Eurovision in Kiev, check out Caffé Latté’s special ESC playlist on Spotify.

spotify:user:4alanrosscaffelatte
HISTORY OF THE ESC. Part 24: 2003. Continues: tomorrow.
THE HISTORY OF THE
EUROVISION
SONG CONTEST
Caffé Latté  looks back on the key moments of Europe’s annual competition.
2003
Theme art
Tallinn hosted Eurovision in 2002 following Estonia's triumph the year before. Latvia made its debut with Marie N.'s "I Wanna" after Portugal opted out. The new entrant enjoyed a spectacular premiere, snatching the top prize. 
Riga hosted Eurovision in 2003, where a record 26 countries competed. The ESC would be visiting a new corner of Europe with the Turkish victory of Sertab Erener with "Everyway That I Can" in 2004. A new format would also be introduced that year.
Sertab Erener 2003 Everyway That I Can.jpg

Monday, March 27, 2017

BEFORE THE HIT VERSION. This post: LV- IT'S ALL OVER NOW. Continues: tomorrow.
BEFORE IT WAS A HIT SONG
These songs are well known but you may not know about the earlier attempts to score a hit record with prior versions of the same song.
It’s All Over Now
The 1st Rolling Stones single to reach #1 in the UK was "It's All Over Now". That 1964 release also charted in America, Canada and Europe. While most of the band's hits were penned by band members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, this chart-topping disc was a remake.
The original version was released by the R&B group The Valentinos. This act, consisting of 5 brothers, featured soul singer Bobby Womack. He co-wrote the song with Shirley Womack. It was released in the same year as the more successful cover version by The Stones.
 http://www.popsike.com/pix/20100821/250685897858.jpg
Each new song will be added to the spotify playlist named: ‘Before It Was A Hit Song’.  You can check out the previous earlier / original versions of the hit songs you know and love.
The playlist and other Caffe` Latte` selections can be found at:
spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

TOP 45 ESC SONGS THAT WERE CULLED AT THE SEMI-FINALS.: #25. More: tomorrow.
Caffe` Latte` presents…
THE TOP
EUROVISION SONGS
THAT FAILED TO QUALIFY
 AT THE SEMI-FINALS
As more countries wished to participate in the  Eurovision Song Contest, Semi-Finals became necessary by 1993 in order to limit the duration of the Grand Final. This countdown looks back on 45 culled – but worthy- entries that failed to progress from a Semi-Final and therefore missed out on competing in the Grand Final:

25
LITTLE BY LITTLE
LAURA & THE LOVERS
2005 LITHUANIA
In 2005, the Lithuanian song "Little By Little" vied for a place in the Grand Final. Performed in English by the group Laura & The Lovers, it competed against 24 other entries during the Semi-Final. Despite it being a catchy song, the  entry finished in last place. 
 Image result for little by little laura & the lovers eurovision 2005 lithuania
To get you in the mood for Eurovision in Kiev, check out Caffé Latté’s special ESC playlist on Spotify.

spotify:user:4alanrosscaffelatte