FROM THE ARCHIVE 348 -1984-

Natali from the 1984 I Am What I Am album. For a previous post CLICK HERE

Lyrics:

I saw the danger the day we met her
No passing stranger who could forget her
Their glance was fleeting
But told a story
And that chance meeting
Meant heartaches for me

Natalie, Natalie
You are young
You are free
You don’t love him
And it could never be
He is all I live for
Please send him back to me

I’ll understand him
I know his feelings
He’s only human
He thinks he loves you
I tried to hate you
And wish you bad things
O god forgive me
And love her sad thing

Natalie, Natalie
You are young
You are free
You don’t love him
And it could never be
He is all I live for
Please send him back to me

Natalie, Natalie
You are young
You are free
You don’t love him
And it could never be
He is all I live for
Please send him back to me

Natalie, Natalie
You are young
You are free
You don’t love him
And it could never be
He is all I live for
Send him back to me…..

Below a fabulous live version of Natali from one of the 1976 BBC shows

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PRINCE PHILLIP’S 80TH. BIRTHDAY -2001-

Concert for the Duke of Edinburgh’s 80th. birthday. Songs: Goldfinger, Something & Big Spender

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On May 24th, 2001 a concert took place in the Royal Albert Hall in London to mark the 80th Birthday of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, which is on June 10th. Among many other artists, Dame Shirley Bassey appeared, and performed three songs.

Shirley Bassey was introduced by former Scary Spice Girl, Mel B and opened with Goldfinger, then sang Something and then before performing Big Spender, she wished His Royal Highness a Happy Birthday and said how honoured she was to be asked to perform at tonight’s birthday celebrations.

After the evenings biggest applause Shirley led the line-up in singing Happy Birthday to Prince Philip. He walked onto the stage towards her, both arms outstretched and kissed her on the cheek as she curtseyed to him.

Prince Philip was all smiles at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the venue for a glittering party to honour the 45th anniversary of his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and also his 80th. birthday. Guests included pop band Hear’ Say, who laughed and joked with the prince, waving a microphone at him in an attempt to interview him! Singing sensation Dame Shirley Bassey, who looked radiant in a floor-length shimmering gown, roared with laughter as she chatted to Prince Philip, before posing.

FROM THE ARCHIVE 347 -1984-

Send In The Clowns from the 1984 album I Am What I Am. For a previous post CLICK HERE

Lyrics:

Isn’t it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground
And you in mid-air
Send in the clowns

Isn’t it bliss?
Don’t you approve?
One who keeps tearing around
One who can’t move
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns

Just when I stopped
Opening doors
Finally knowing the one
That I wanted was yours
Making my entrance again
With my usual flair
Sure of my lines
No one is there

Don’t you love farce?
My fault, I fear
I thought that you want what I want
Sorry, my dear
But where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns
Don’t bother
They’re here

Isn’t it rich?
Isn’t it queer?
Losing my timing this late
In my career?
And where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns
Well maybe
Next year

(Transcribed by Roman)

Dame Shirley performing Send In the Clowns at the Royal Albert Hall in 1984

Photos by kind permisson of John den Outer

Here’s To Life

For this blog’s Video Showcase we have the beautiful song Here’s To Life. Dame Shirley recorded it on the Hello Like Before album last year but has sang it also on numerous occasions during here live performances over the years. The song was originally sung by Shirley Horn and below there is a wonderful video of her singing it live.

Lyrics:

No complaints and no regrets
I still believe in chasing dreams and placing bets
But I have learned that all you give is all you get
So give it all you’ve got

I had my share, I drank my fill
And even though I’m satisfied, I’m hungry still
To see what’s down another road, beyond a hill
And do it all again

So here’s to life
And every joy it brings
So here’s to life
To dreamers and their dreams

Funny how the time just flies
How love can go from warm hellos to sad goodbyes
And leave you with the memories you’ve memorized
To keep your winters warm

But there’s no yes in yesterday
And who knows what tomorrow brings, or takes away
As long as I’m still in the game, I want to play
For laughs, for life, for love

So here’s to life
And every joy it brings
So here’s to life
To dreamers and their dreams
May all your storms be weathered
And all that’s good get better

Here’s to life
Here’s to love
And here’s to you

The video on the top is from a live performance in Manchester by Dame Shirley from 2006 and of course below that one the studio version from the Hello Like Before album.