38. New Year

 

 I can only share this one once a year... so now is the time.

New Year https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=12623868

Of all the songs I've written I am most regretful that some known artist has not taken this on one board. It is absolutely the ideal song to be playing as the ball drops in Times Square or straight after Big Ben chimes in the New Year in London. It would be on everybody's playlist once a year.

It even has the melody for 'Auld Lang Syne' kicking in at the end for a sing along. It could assure an annual income stream for whomsoever's version catapulted it to the top of the charts and pay for my retirement in the process. C'mon Harry Styles you need another classic song. lol. Oh well. We can all dream.

This song was originally written as the first track for a follow up album to my 1985 release 'Jester Before the Throne.' My bright idea was to have an album with 12 tracks each related to the months of the year. An Easter song. A  Christmas song.  A summer song.  etc...  And this was the New Year song. And it's a belter.

It may well show more than a little influence of 80's rock band 'After the Fire'... but they were one of my favourites at the time I wrote it... so that is hardly surprising. (I suspect Van Halen would never have written 'Jump' if  'After the Fire' had not been their support band on tour with them. It has all the hallmarks of their classic songs. But that's another story....)

The song itself needs no explanation. If it were a commercial release I may change the lyrics in places, but overall I like the arrangement.

So Happy New Year to all.

New Year
©️ Adrian J Pratt 1984

New Year, Time to rejoice and celebrate life
New Year, Time to reflect and contemplate life
New Year, Like an open book before us
New Year, Can't you hear the future call us
New Year, New Year is here!

New Year, Time for us to make our resolutions
New Year, Time for us to seek for new solutions
New Year, Like an open book before us
New Year, Can't you hear the future call us
New Year, New Year is here!

How is this year going to find you?
Will you know there's love beside you?
Will you find your life
Is in loves hands?

New Year, Time to rejoice and celebrate life
New Year, Time to reflect and contemplate life
New Year, Like an open book before us
New Year, Can't you hear the future call us
New Year, New Year is here!

Celebrate, it's a New Year.
Celebrate, it's a New Year.

New Year, Time to rejoice and celebrate life
New Year, Time to reflect and contemplate life

New Year, New Year, New Year, New Year!




    

37. Rock and Roll Christmas

 

 It’s Christmas. So of course I’m posting a Christmas song. I have written a few, some more religious in nature, others just for fun.

Audio Version https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=6088282

Grainy ancient video from early eighties https://youtu.be/6IjN7CY-h68

As an aside (Skip the next two paragraphs if you are not interested in my rant) I really am not in sympathy with either those who complain their religious liberties are under attack or those who are afraid a Christmas tree might offend somebody. Wish me a happy Hanukkah, joyful Kwanza, wacky Winter Solstice or awesome Old St Nicks day and I will not be in the least bit offended.

My house will have a Christmas tree visible from the street with pretty lights to brighten the winter view, but my vehicle will not be the one with a bumper sticker declaring “Keep Christ in Christmas.” That maybe my personal decision but I‘m not going to make an issue out of it and tell you that the way you are celebrating is all wrong.

And if somebody becomes offended because I wished them a “Happy Christmas” then hopefully they'll eventually get over themselves. I am not going to apologize for offering a joyful greeting. It's Christmas, and whatever that means to you, go celebrate. Or not.

This particular song was written for an event hosted by the “Shepherd Center” in Beckley, WV. Described as “The fun place for seniors” they met in the Fellowship Hall of the Presbyterian church every week and enjoyed a whole host of activities. Arts, crafts, music, chat, and discussion. Every now and then I'd offer some musical entertainment while they enjoyed lunch.

On a previous occasion I'd shared a selection of Chuck Berry songs and we'd had a great time “reeling and a rocking.” But on this occasion I'd been asked to present a Christmas program. What I should have done was looked up the words to “Run, Run, Rudolph.”  But I hadn't.

As I walked down the stairs to sing for them, this little rocky ditty appeared in my mind and I scribbled it on a bit of paper I had in my pocket. Maybe the quickest song I have ever written.  Just a happy, celebratory message about Santa and some of the joys of the season.

Liked it so much that I recorded a version for myself and since sharing it over the years, others seem to like it. Also, a few decades ago now, made a family video.. back when we was all a lot younger A bit of fun. Happy Christmas to one and all. :-)