There are so many great singer/songwriters from which to choose, but one of the best, and yet underrated, in my estimation at least, is Rupert Holmes.
A lot of people remember his song "Escape," i.e. "The Pina Colada Song," but as good a song as that was, it is far from the best of his accomplishments.
Actually, the first of his songs that I came to know, though I had no idea at the time that it was his song, was "Timothy," by the Buoys.
As the story goes, Rupert Holmes, real name David Goldstein, had helped the band to get a one-single contract from a record label, but the label did not agree to do any promotion at all.
So Holmes got the bright idea that, if they could come up with a song that would be banned, it might become a hit, and then the record label would promote it to make it even more popular.
So he proceeded to write the song "Timothy," loosely based on an article he had read some time earlier about a mine collapse, broadly hinting that the reason for the two mens' survival was cannibalism. As they had hoped, the song became a hit, then the record label execs actually listened to the song, and promptly released a disclaimer, to the effect of, "No, it's not about cannibalism, Timothy was their mule." Uh huh, sure he was.
I was a kid, and I just liked the song.
I did find it hilarious, years later, when I learned that he had named one of his sons Timothy. ;-)
Then, of course, came "Escape." From which no one, in 1979, could escape, as it seemed to be all the radio stations played for a while. Oh sure, some of the other songs on his album also got airplay, notably "Answering Machine" and "Weekend Lover," but "Escape" was his home run, being both catchy and funny, and pretty much impossible to ignore.
In 1982, I visited my dad in Tampa for the first time, as he had retired there two years previously. And one day in his favorite grocery store, I spotted a remainders bin of record albums, and Rupert Holmes' 1980 album "Adventure" was among them. I bought it, and loved it immediately.
I don't recall if I bought 1979's "Partners in Crime" at the same or a later time, but I do know that I purchased them close together, as I was learning the songs from both albums at the same time. Both are excellent albums.
In the intervening years, Holmes has stretched himself and delved into multiple areas, becoming a successful author, producer and playwright, as well as a songwriter and performer.
His first play, which I have always wanted to see performed, was "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," based upon the unfinished novel of that name by Charles Dickens. Because the novel was unfinished, Holmes wrote alternate endings for each of the characters suspected of murder, and allowed the audience to vote for a different murderer during each performance.
This song is Holmes at his best, with insightful and self-effacing lyrics, understated arrangements, a practiced and steady voice, and a humorous story that resembles the vast majority of us, at one time or another.
Which is part of Holmes' special gift, as a songwriter, and is the reason why his songs still sound fresh after forty years, because his recurring themes are as timeless and evergreen as human nature.
Enjoy.
A few of the sources used for this post:
http://www.rupertholmes.com/index.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Holmes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_(song)
"The People That You Never Get To Love" Lyrics:
You're browsing through a second hand bookstore
And you see her in non-fiction V through Y
She looks up from World War II
And then you catch her, catching, you catching her eye
And you quickly turn away your wishful stare
And take a sudden interest in your shoes
If you only had the courage but you don't
She turns and leaves and you both lose
And you think about
The people that you never get to love
It's not as if you even have the chance
So many worth a second life
But rarely do you get a second glance
Until fate cuts in on your dance
And you'll see her on a train that you've just missed
At a bus stop where your bus will never stop
Or in a passing Buick
When you've been pulled over by a traffic cop
Or you'll share an elevator, just you two
And you'll rise in total silence to the floor
Like the fool you are, you get off
And she leaves your life behind a closing door
And you think about
The people that you never get to love
The poem you intended to begin
The saddest words that anyone has ever said are
'Lord, what might have been'
But no one said you get to win
Still you're never gonna miss what you don't know
And you don't know who you'll meet at half past three
It could be a total stranger
Who looks something just exactly much like me
One of the people that you never get to love
One of the people that you never get to love
The people that you never get to love
And I would love to hear your take in the comments.
no-man – Lighthouse – Live Music
Steemit is My Place – Day 71 – Daily Haiku
Trip to Memphis - StreetPhotography
What If – Day 70 – Daily Haiku
Hubert Laws, “Bolero" - Music
King Crimson, "Starless" - Music
I Love Pelicans - Day 69 - Daily Haiku
The First Day of Spring - Day 68 - Daily Haiku
Storm Corrosion, "Storm Corrosion" - Music
Novel Witness - Day 67 - Daily Haiku
If you feel my posts are undervalued, and/or you want to
donate to tip me, I would appreciate it very much.
In the process, you will be helping our small organic farm to operate,
to help others, and to feed and house all our animals better. Thank you!
Bitcoin (BTC) – 37Z9UabFyygFYXMoChifdCkyFgPJtKwXRj
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) – qq5p7dkr9239u6fer98lyc3cjvhcwcggzuxyde9mjp
Ethereum (ETH) - 0x731e363a4e6C680D47aFA63e4620342964a9d0Fb
LiteCoin (LTC) – MprMcJSAXKvtBouDQRSSk85qbms8ak3xDY
The following are a few affiliate links, to companies we really
believe in, that will further help us to operate, to help others,
and to care for and feed our animals.
If you have any interest in becoming affiliated with these companies,
which may bring you additional income, please contact me,
and perhaps we can work together!
Dr. Al Sears, well known anti-aging doctor, with his first-class
line of supplements that actually work:
https://primalforce.net/?aff=1893
Melaleuca, a company that has been making natural, eco-friendly
products since the 1980s, that not only work as well as
chemically laden versions from the supermarket,
but are safer, and typically save money overall in addition.
I was introduced to them by a co-worker in 1990, lost track
of them, and was thrilled to find them again about a year
and a half ago. I strongly recommend their products.
http://www.melaleuca.com/corimacnaughton
Prime My Body offers a nanoenhanced hemp-based CBD oil
that is legal in all 50 United States, and clinically proven to be
absorbed 3X better than the leading pharmaceutical brand.
I have used it on myself and my animals with excellent results.
https://Crescendo.primemybody.com
If you are interested in becoming an affiliate yourself,
check out this link:
https://enrollpmb.com/Crescendo
All words are my own, with the exception of the lyrics, which are by Rupert Holmes.
The photo of our dog, Lolo, and our late cat, Miod, I took as they were cooperatively begging at the dinner table, despite our longstanding rule of not feeding them from the table.
You can see how much that deterred them both.
The image and video are the intellectual property of Rupert Holmes, his producers and record companies, and all rights remain with them.
I claim no rights, but offer this video, as I offer all the music videos I post, in the hopes of promoting my favorite music artists, so that more people become familiar with their music, and that they grow their fan base in the process, as they so richly deserve.
Resteeming is welcome, you may link to my post from your own website or blog, and you may use excerpts and/or images as long as you credit me, and link back to this post.
Please ask for permission, before using my work otherwise, as all rights are reserved.