Heart Banter by David Gittlin: Recent Episodes
David Gittlin
John Fogerty wrote this song, in part, for his son, Josh. Josh was three years old at the time, and John could barely wait for his son to hear him sing the song on the radio, especially the part that goes: "Doot doot doo lookin' out my back door."
The song's chorus references a passing parade. Fogerty says the lyric is inspired by a Dr. Seuss book he read as a child, "To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street."
Some people say the lyric "Won't you take a ride on the flying spoon" is a reference to cocaine or heroin. Fogrety vehemently denies this. He discouraged drug use by any of his band members, saying drugs interfered with their music and their jobs.
Credence Clearwater Revival gained prominence in the late 1960's. The band split up acrimoniously in 1972. John Fogerty is still performing as of this writing.
Here's my cover of this fun song.
Cat Stevens ( Yusuf Islam) has never publicly said what this song is about, so we are left to offer our own interpretations.
When I read the lyrics, I get a picture of a farmer of indiscriminate age waking up at the crack of dawn and looking out through a window at his fields. At the very instant when the sun rises, there is barely sound. Our farmer reflects back on his youth and how it felt every day to awaken with a song in his heart and the dreams he envisioned to pursue.
The last refrain floated into my head from out of nowhere:
"There'll be the evening,
In the end,
But 'till that time arrives,
You can rest your eyes,
And begin again."
The lyrics are beautiful and express the child-like innocence found in many of Cat Stevens' songs. I interpret this last refrain to mean: Take advantage of and be grateful for every moment you are alive.
Here's my cover.
Most of the lyrics in "Danny's Song" were inspired by a letter Kenny Loggins' brother, Dan, wrote to him in 1968 after Dan's son, Colin, was born. In the letter, Dan said he planned to marry the boy's mom, Sheila, and they planned to move to Berkley, California, even though they had no money.
Kenny Loggins wrote the song in 1970 and released it as a single. It went nowhere. Later that year, Kenny teamed up with Jim Messina and released the song on their first album, "Sittin' In." Again the song went nowhere. If nothing else, "Danny's Song" showcased Loggins' talent for capturing a feeling for a moment in time.
It was not until Anne Murray covered the song and released it as a single in 1973 that it became a hit, reaching #1 in Canada and #7 on the charts in America. The song's success put Loggins and Messina on the map.
Here's my cover.
Back in the days when recording artists released singles, "We Can Work It Out" made its debut in 1965. The Beatle's manager, Brian Epstein, felt that the other song on the record, "Day Tripper," was more commercial and so, should be the lead song. Typically, the lead song of a single is recorded on the top side (A side) and the other song (B side) goes beneath it. Since both songs became hits, the record turned out to be the first double "A" single ever recorded.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the song with Paul writing the optimistic verses and John writing the more pessimistic chorus, in this case, the bridge.
The song sprang from a disagreement Paul had with his then-girlfriend, actress Jane Asher. Jane and her mother, Margaret, had a powerful impact on Paul's life. The couple stayed together for five years from 1963 to 1968.
Here's my cover.
Cat Stevens’ song “The Boy With A Moon And Star On His Head” is a poetic and mystical tale that expresses themes of love, destiny, and the unknown and unexpected.
The song’s lyrics are replete with metaphors and symbolism, for example, the “holy magnolia” and “naked earth,” which elicit a sense of purity and connection to the universe. Cat Stevens, known for his introspective and spiritual songwriting, uses this narrative to convey a deeper message about the power of love and the unpredictable ways in which destiny unfolds. It is a beautiful story in song, rendered in Stevens’ unique style.
Presenting an engaging science fiction adventure for teens and adults.
After unceremoniously losing his job, Special Investigator Derrick Faulk is summoned by his close friend, Adrien Mattias, a developer of best-in-class nearly human Androids, for a mission that holds the future of their world in the balance. “Time is of the Essence,” as Adrien likes to say, and the clock is ticking.
Romantic sparks fly, and guns blaze in “Androbiotica 2: Journey in Time,” the sequel to “The Androbiotica File: Nearly Human.”
Go with Derrick and his brilliant associate, Kristina Flemming, AndroBiotica’s Director of Research, for a ride into the future that will keep you guessing until the very end.
AndroBiotica 2 can be read as a stand-alone novella.
“The time that’s left is yours to keep” is a phrase at the end of the chorus of Kate Wolf's song “See Here She Said.” The phrase impacts me powerfully because it is sweet advice to use our time wisely. This is especially true for children, but it is also important for people of all ages to keep in mind.
In a truncated life of only forty-four years, Kate Wolf embodied the words of this song. She used her time to create over two hundred songs, performing mostly at venues in her native state of California. Kate’s work has warmed and gladdened the hearts of millions of people around the world. Here's my cover of the song.
I had never heard of Carrie Newcomer before a friend played one of her songs in an online gazing/meditation class. "The Gathering of Spirits" bounced around in my head until I finally had to learn it.
I bought Newcomer's album of the same name, and I have to say the other songs on it are, for me, an acquired taste. However, I'm glad I was introduced to Carrie's music and this song in particular. She's a unique individual and an unusually talented artist, as you'll see by clicking on the link above. Here's my version of "The Gathering of Spirits."
"Hard Headed Woman" celebrates an empowering and life-affirming love. The artist envisions an enriching and fulfilling relationship in which each partner contributes to the other's growth and happiness. The song reminds us of the importance of finding someone who complements and strengthens us rather than a companion who fits a pre-determined, superficial mold.
This John Prine song has been lauded as, "One of the best breakup songs ever written." Here's my cover of Prine's "All The Best."
"Day Is Done" is a simple song about a clandestine relationship. Since very little has been written about the song, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact subject matter. It could be about two married adults having an illicit affair. The lyrics and tone, however, indicate a relationship between two adolescents forbidden by parents or society.
The drawings on the album cover of "Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings" tend to support the theory of a prohibited young love.
In "Day is Done," Prine has written a charming little song with universal implications. Many of his songs deal with the intricacies of human relationships and are laced with Prine's subtle sense of humor. Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings was John's fourteenth album. Released in 1995, it is another example of the artist's exploration of the human condition.
From humble beginnings, John Prine came a long way in his fifty-year career. He won Grammy Awards and was posthumously inducted into the Country and Folk Music Hall of Fame. What struck me, however, is this early recollection of John's career. It is taken directly from Prine's official website:
"Prine still remembers the first three songs he performed on any stage: Sam Stone, Hello in There, and Paradise. With humility, he recalls, “I sang those three songs and people just sat there and looked at me. I thought, ‘Wow, those are really bad.’ They wouldn’t even applaud.'”
Things changed dramatically when a young journalist named Roger Ebert dropped into a Chicago folk club for a beer while John was on stage. Ebert wrote a glowing review of Prine's performance in the Chicago Sun-Times which essentially launched John's career.
Here's my cover of "Day Is Done."
John Prine began his professional career as a mailman in Illinois. He went on to become one of America's most beloved singers and songwriters. If you are a fan of Folk and Country Music, then you know John Prine. His music was a blend of humorous lyrics about love, life, current events, and songs recounting melancholy tales from his life. Prine was active as a composer, recording artist, live performer, and occasional actor from the early 1970s until his death in 1917 from complications of COVID-19.
"I Remember Everything" was the last song John wrote. Published posthumously, it's a simple yet moving song looking back on a life well-lived.
Prine may have had a premonition that his life was coming to an end. If that is the case, then "I Remember Everything" is John's epitaph, which he characteristically wrote himself. Here's my cover.
Bob Dylan wrote and recorded the original version of "Mr. Tambourine Man," but The Byrds' electrified folk-rock version shot it to #1 on both the US and UK charts. The song hadn't been released when The Byrds learned it from a demo Dylan gave to their manager, Jim Dickson.
Dylan released Tambourine Man in March 1965 on his Bringing It All Back Home album.
What is "Mr. Tambourine Man" about? On the surface, this tambourine man is a wandering musician whose music has captured Dylan under its spell. The song is considered by many to be about drug experiences, with lines like "Take me for a trip upon your magic swirling ship" and "Take me disappearin' through the smoke rings of my mind." Phrases like these suggest a marijuana or LSD trip. Dylan is famously close-lipped about explaining his songs, but in his 1985 Biograph compilation album, he revealed that "Mr. Tambourine Man" is not about drugs. Instead, he said the song was inspired by a backup folk musician named Bruce Langhorne, who played a large tambourine in one of Dylan's recording sessions.
To me, the song's poetic images are like impressionist paintings. The melody is haunting and mesmerizing. The song stands alone as a true work of art. Here's my version.
“Ah, but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.”
These lyrics and the refrain popped into my head a few mornings ago. This sort of thing has been happening to me frequently these days: Long-forgotten songs resurfacing. It may be a function of the aging process, or it might be the universe talking to me. I kind of hope it’s the latter.
In the 1970s, a group called the Bryds covered a few Bob Dylan songs. They made songs like Mr. Tambourine Man and this one popular. The Bryds’ cover of Mr.Tambourine Man went to number one on the US charts, and their cover of My Back Pages went to thirty. I may have never listened to My Back Pages had it not been for The Byrds. By the way, Roger McGuinn and The Byrds are credited with starting the Folk Rock Revolution. And they inspired Bob Dylan to go electric.
In 1964, Dylan released his fourth album, “Another Side of Life.” Around this time, he began to distance himself from his earlier songs. He claimed his earlier work was not about politics, but universal themes rather than individual political issues. In “My Back Pages,” Dylan lambasts himself for his authoritarianism and arrogance.
Moving forward, Dylan’s music focused more on individual consciousness and personal freedom. He is remembered more for his music from 1965-1970 than his earlier work.
To me, the lyrics at the top infer that we tend to think we know it all at a young age. I know that I did. As we age, we gain more wisdom and realize that we know less than we thought we did. This understanding opens us to learning more when we admit that we know little in comparison to what is out there. To be open to learning without imposing pre-existing ideas is to become more pliable and, therefore, young.
Here’s my cover of this powerful song.
Cat Stevens wrote and recorded quite a few hits at the Zenith of his career in the 1960s and 1970s. Stevens is an exceptionally talented artist. His songs began to climb the charts in his native England when he was only eighteen. There is a recurring theme in Stevens' work about leaving home to go out into the world. In Stevens' words:
"[Wild World has] to do with leaving, the sadness of leaving, and the anticipation of what lies beyond. There is a criticism sometimes of my music that it's kind of naïve, but then again, that's exactly why people like it. It goes back to the pure childish approach of seeing things almost for the first time."
I've covered several of Stevens' songs on this blog, including "On the Road to Find Out," "Fill My Eyes," and "The Wind." I'm a huge fan. Stevens' songs still inspire me some sixty years after their release. Here's my cover of another popular CS song: "Wild World."
When Richard Marx wrote “Right Here Waiting,” he never meant to publish it. He wrote the song in 2010 as a personal message to his girlfriend and actress, Cynthia Rhoads. At the time, Rhoads was in South Africa making a film. Since Skype or Google Meets didn’t exist, Marx shipped the track directly to Rhoads. Marx wrote the song in twenty minutes. His friends were so moved by it that they convinced the artist to publish it. The song went on to become one of Marx’s biggest hits.
Prior to this blog post, I had never heard of Richard Marx. I was only vaguely aware of the song. When I heard the beginning of the song on a Facebook reel, I was inspired to learn it. Now that I’ve read the backstory, I agree with Marx’s friends. “Right Here Waiting” is a truly moving and beautiful ode to long-distance love. Marx plays a piano accompaniment. I’ve composed a guitar background. Here’s my cover.
After Steven Digman wrote “Anniversary Song,” he took it to Chris Biondo’s studio in Rockville, Maryland, to record it. At the time, Biondo was looking for material for Eva Cassidy to record. After Chris heard the song, he insisted on recording it with Eva. Digman had another singer in mind, but Biondo wouldn’t give up. After hearing Eva sing “Anniversary Song” on the phone, Digman agreed to let Cassidy record it. The rest, as they say, is history.
This is another song that popped into my head unexpectedly. At first, I decided not to blog about it. But the melody, like Chris Biondo, wouldn’t give up. I guess someone is trying to tell me something. Here’s my cover.
“Brown-eyed Girl” was originally called “Brown-Skinned Girl.” The song is about an interracial relationship. Morrison changed the name to make it more acceptable to radio stations at the time (1967). Some stations banned it anyway for the line, “Making love in the green grass.” Why some gatekeepers took issue with the line in the free-loving sixties is beyond me. I guess there is no accounting for taste.
From his roots in Northern Ireland, Van Morrison began his musical career at the age of thirteen. He played the saxophone, harmonica, and guitar in several bands until he formed his own group called “Them.”
“Brown-Eyed Girl” launched Morrison’s solo career due to the song’s overwhelming popularity. Ironically, Morrison never truly cared for the song. He considered it “too commercial.” And the psychedelic cover of Morrison’s first solo album appalled him. I think it’s safe to say Van Morrison never came anywhere near the mainstream of music and pop culture.
Most of Morrison’s work consists of rhythm and blues and occasional jazz pieces. The man may be unpredictable, but his songwriting has certainly been prolific. He has written over three hundred songs in his fifty-year career.
Commercial or not, this is a fun song to play. Here’s my cover.
"Eternal Flame" is another song that came into my head from out of nowhere. It just started playing in my mind on its own. I remembered the song, but I had never heard of (or don't remember) an all-girl band called The Bangles. The group was popular in the 1980s. Susanna Hoff, their lead singer, wrote Eternal Flame with songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. The idea came from a Cyndi Lauper song Hoff admired and from the eternal flame shrine near the Elvis Presley tomb in Graceland, where The Bangles saw it.
I still don't know why "Eternal Flame" barged unannounced into my head, but I'm glad it did. The song is BEAUTIFUL! Here's my cover.
Steve Gillette released his first album in 1967 titled simply “Steve Gillette.” Top-heavy with folk ballads and original songs, I thought the album was a strong debut. Gillette had already established himself as a noteworthy songwriter when Ian and Sylvia, a top Canadian folk duo, included “Darcy Farrow,” a song Gillette co-wrote on their 1966 album “Early Morning Rain.”
I still own Gillette’s debut album and listen to it occasionally. Despite all of this fanfare, Steve Gillette never became a household name. Some say Gillette’s obscure status is the result of his emergence towards the end of the folk music boom. I don’t buy the idea. For reasons unknown, some people never make it to stardom, no matter how much they want it. Gillette wanted it, but his music failed to resonate with audiences broadly enough to make him a bonafide star. He made several more albums and eventually married Cindy Magnuson. To this day, the duo continues to tour relentlessly and make a modest living with their music.
There are those who did make it big in the sixties, like two of my folk/pop favorites: Jackson Browne and Gordon Lightfoot. Still, Gillette has left us with a number of original and memorable songs. “Back On The Street Again” is one of them. Here’s my cover.
When Richard Marx wrote “Right Here Waiting,” he never meant to publish it. He wrote the song in 2010 as a personal message to his girlfriend and actress, Cynthia Rhoads. At the time, Rhoads was in South Africa making a film. Since Skype or Google Meets didn’t exist, Marx shipped the track directly to Rhoads. Marx wrote the song in twenty minutes. His friends were so moved by it that they convinced the artist to publish it. The song went on to become one of Marx’s biggest hits.
Prior to this blog post, I had never heard of Richard Marx. I was only vaguely aware of the song. When I heard the beginning of the song on a Facebook reel, I was inspired to learn it. Now that I’ve read the backstory, I agree with Marx’s friends. “Right Here Waiting” is a truly moving and beautiful ode to long-distance love. Marx plays a piano accompaniment. I’ve composed a guitar background. Here’s my cover.
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I often feel that art comes from somewhere else. Let’s call it “The Great Beyond.” To me, a serious artist is a channeler of messages from The Beyond through the prism of his or her experiences and personality. These messages want to come through and be heard by a large audience. “Teach Your Children” is a good illustration of this idea. Here’s my cover.
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Like many of us, Don McLean suffered through difficult passages in his life, many of which are reflected in his music. He wrote and recorded “Empty Chairs” when his marriage was failing. Despite the subject of lost love, I feel there is incredible beauty in the lyrics and the melody, and Mclean’s unique guitar style.
Although the subject is mentioned just once in the song, McLean chose the symbol to sum up his feelings and state of mind at the time. The title is inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings of empty chairs. Mclean sympathized with Van Gogh and admired his paintings as revealed in his song “Vincent” recorded on the same album: “American Pie.”
I’ve re-recorded “Empty Chairs” with a better guitar and some improved technique. Please enjoy listening.
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“The time that’s left is yours to keep.” These words come at the end of the chorus of the song “See Here She Says” by Kate Wolf.
While I find all of the lyrics in this song beautiful, this sentence hit me in the center of my heart. I can picture a mother teaching a child about life. She is telling the child about the importance of dreams and to use his or her time wisely. Use it well, not only for yourself but for others too.
Certainly, love, beauty, and a full range of human emotions come through Kate Wolf’s music. “See Here She Says” is a remarkable song because it speaks to children and adults alike with an ocean of love and understanding. Interestingly, the word “sea” appears at the beginning of the first verse.
Perhaps I can feel Kate’s heart even more now that she has passed into spirit.
Please enjoy my cover of “See Here She Said.”
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“I live for a sense of a feeling of purposefulness in this world, you know, that I could stop my life at any point and feel that my life has been worthwhile; that the people I’ve loved and my children have all reached a point where their lives are now going to come to fruition. And as far as something I live by, it’s to try to be as alive as possible and feel free to make my mistakes and try to be as honest as I can with myself.”
Kate Wolf–Singer-Songwriter–1942-1986
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Here's another Gordon Lightfoot tune that may not be as recognizable as many of the other songs of his that I've covered here. Somehow, "I'll be Alright" crept into my consciousness and I'm happy to offer my cover of the song in this post. To me, the song is as lovely and memorable as many of Lightfoot's hits including: "If You Could Read My Mind," "Early Morning Rain," and "Song For A Winter's Night."
Please enjoy the memory of this song and the one and only Gordon Lightfoot.
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"On The Road To Find Out" is a song drawn from Cat Stevens' life experiences and his quest for a deeper meaning and greater fulfillment in his existence.
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Here's my cover of a song inspired by Gordon Lightfoot's 1972 concert in London, England. I've loved Gordon's music for decades. I grew old with him. The sight of Lightfoot performing his song as a young man is both glorious and saddening. Lightfoot passed away recently at the age of 84. He never stopped performing until the very end. Thanks for your music, GL.
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Here's my cover of "Fill My Eyes" played with Cat Stevens' unique guitar style.
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Here's my cover of "My Opening Farewell" played the way Jackson Browne does it. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2023/01/13/jackson-browne-my-opening-farewell/
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Eva Cassidy was a magnificent vocalist and an accomplished guitarist. Here's my cover of Eva's "Songbird." This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2023/04/30/songbird/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2023/03/17/folk-legends-ian-sylvia/--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/david-gittlin/message
"Four Strong Winds," written by Ian Tyson, is recognized as one of the best folk songs ever written. It was performed by folk legends Ian & Sylvia and covered by many well-known recording artists.
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This is version two of Och's immortal song played one fret higher.
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2023/03/04/changes/--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/david-gittlin/message
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2023/02/14/love-found-and-lost/--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/david-gittlin/message
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2023/02/07/the-beauty-of-the-bells/--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/david-gittlin/message
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2023/01/25/walking-in-memphis/--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/david-gittlin/message
Jackson Browne's Music is lyrical and penetrating. He is a poet as well as a prolific songwriter, musician, and vocalist.
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Fans of Gordon Lightfoot will want to hear this cover of one of Gordon's earliest love songs. It is among his greatest hits. Thanks for listening. Love to all.
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/12/02/early-lightfoot-love/--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/david-gittlin/message
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/11/21/simple-honest-transparent-beautiful-2/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/11/15/the-wind-in-my-soul/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/11/11/a-transcendent-voice/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/10/29/across-the-barrier-of-time/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/10/13/jefferson-airplane-comin-back-to-me/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/09/28/from-a-distance-the-song/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/09/19/reprise-and-i-love-you-so/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/08/30/rise-and-shine/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/08/25/time-travel-anyone/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/08/18/fleetwood-mac-landslide/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/08/05/a-place-in-time/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/07/06/another-word-for-love/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/06/25/beautiful/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/06/10/everything-i-own/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/05/26/the-story-behind-the-song/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/05/11/shadows-of-love/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/04/27/if-you-could-read-my-mind/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/04/16/the-gift/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/04/07/the-love-of-my-life/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/03/21/another-slice-of-american-pie/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/03/04/true-colors/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2022/02/16/time-after-time/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2021/12/28/american-pie-gold-nuggets/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2021/12/21/empty-chairs-the-beauty-of-a-broken-heart/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2021/12/02/and-i-love-you-so/
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This episode is also available as a blog post: http://davidgittlin.net/2021/10/28/vincent-revisited/
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In 1964, Gordon Lightfoot wrote one of his most memorable songs: Early Morning Rain. Lightfoot, a Canadian singer-songwriter, has become a folk legend. Along with his crystal clear singing voice and accomplished guitar playing, Lightfoot has written a library of outstanding folk songs depicting historical events and all manner of love relationships. To single out a smattering of Lightfoot's top hits is to do the man an injustice. "Early Morning Rain" appears on his 1966 debut album simply titled Lightfoot! Before he released the song, another Canadian duo, Ian and recorded it in 1964. Many other folk singing notables including Peter, Paul, and Mary also adopted the song.
The genesis of "Early Morning Rain" can be traced to Gordon's 1960 stay in Westlake, Los Angeles. At the time, Lightfoot became homesick for his Canadian roots. He remembers going to the Los Angeles International Airport on rainy days to watch the aircraft take-off and land. The memories of the flights launching into the overcast skies stayed with him. In 1964, while caring for his 5-month-old son, Lightfoot remembers thinking, "I’ll put him over here in his crib, and I’ll write myself a tune." In that moment, "Early Morning Rain" was born.
The lyrics refer to someone down on his luck who stands at an airport fence to watch the thunderous takeoff of a Boeing 707 airliner. The theme of the song suggests a jet-age musical allegory to the by-gone days of hobos loitering at railroad yards to steal a train ride home. Lightfoot credits the popularity of the song to his improvement as a songwriter.
I've always loved this song. Lightfoot strums it. When I heard Eva Cassidy perform the song using a picking technique, I had to learn it her way. Unfortunately, there were no guitar tutorials available. Since Eva plays "Early Morning Rain" close to her version of "Kathy's Song" I was able to figure out how to play EMR three-quarters of the way she does.
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