A Global Anthem?

Music has always been the light that brings intimacy to love and heartbreak, the right and wrongs of life, the good and bad of people, awareness of life, and the signs of the times through the ages of lyrical expression.

I could go on and on and list artists, groups, composers and other entertainers who have diverted troublesome episodes of my life over the past six decades. Of them all, I candidly claim with certain commitment that Elvis Presley is by far my hero of song.

Another personality whose diverse showmanship and exquisite delivery of musical prowess was Bobby Darin. As a youth, I took pleasure in hearing his performances of rock and roll in the late 50s (such as “Splish Splash” and “Dream Lover”) and easy listening, crooner- styled songs of the early 60s (“Beyond the Sea” and “Mack the Knife”). His “That’s All” remains an all-time favorite album of mine, every song being a testament of his greatness.

If there was ever an entertainer intent on maintaining popularity in the spotlight of show business, it was Bobby who insisted on diversity through the years, perhaps the one person who epitomized the action to “reinvent” himself.

Over the years, he had taken an interest in folk music and in 1962 enlisted Roger McGuinn (of the Byrds) to fill the need of a guitarist for the live acts he was doing in local clubs, trying to make another breakthrough in the music industry. Darin became McGuinn’s mentor. In 1964 McGuinn headed for L.A. to work on his own lyrics and music, which led to his own share of fame.

By 1966 Bobby’s pop idol status had waned as he released albums featuring show tunes and standards (“Hello Dolly!” and “Mame”) that garnered little acknowledgement.

In that same year, Bobby’s producers pitched a song, “If I Were a Carpenter”, which he took with special interest. After three years of mediocre record sales, it became the latest, and last, of his nine Top 10 songs (and 21 songs in the Top 40) last, in his eight-year career. It not only brought to light the never-ending talents of an American entertainment icon, it also introduced the world to the works of yet another gifted entertainer/lyricist: Tim Hardin.

As Bobby fine-tuned his interest in American folk songs, he went on to record music composed by John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonful (“Lovin’ You” and “Darlin’ Be Home Soon”) but putting Tim Hardin as a center of expression (“Don’t Make Promises”, “Reason to Believe”, “The Lady Came from Baltimore”) and making his songs a standard theme on a number of albums from 1996 to 1969.

Bobby became quite a composer in his own right, penning many memorable songs but never achieving the fame he honestly deserved for his creativity. The “the very best of Bobby Darin 1966-1969” is another of those CDs I have a tendency to put on “repeat”. In particular, songs that stand out are “Rainin’”, “Amy”, “I’m Going To Love You”, “Long Time Movin’” and “Long Line Rider”.

Another song written by Bobby Darin that made my mind and heart yearn for peace, love and understanding is “Simple Song of Freedom”. Originally released in 1969 by Tim Hardin, it still evokes a sense of faith, hope and charity for mankind. It attempts to put to rest the politics of governments, racism, religion and the misgivings of war.

As the music and lyrics flow, the feeling of want and desire grow. It strongly suggests it could be an attainable goal, if only those that keep us from achieving the compassion and harmony of human consciousness had no claim to anyone’s involvement.

So, come and read a Simple Song of Freedom:


SIMPLE SONG OF FREEDOM
(Bobby Darin)

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the airTell the people everywhere
That we, the people here, don't want a war

Hey there, Mister Black Man can you hear me?
I won't dig your diamonds or hunt your game
I just want to be, someone known to you as me
and I will bet my life you want the same

So come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
That we, the people here, don't want a war

Seven hundred million are you listening?
Most of what you read is made of lies
But speaking one to one, ain't it everybody's sun
To wake to in the morning when we rise?

So come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the airTell the people everywhere
That we, the people here, don't want a war

Brother Yareshenko are you busy?
If not would you drop a friend a line?
Tell me if the man, who is plowing up your land
has got the war machine upon his mind

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
That we, the people here, don't want a war

No doubt some folks enjoy doin' battle
Like presidents and ministers and kings
But let us build them shelves where they can fight among themselves
and leave the people be who like to sing

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
That we the people here, don't want a war

Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
That we the people here, don't want a war


[The SIMPLE SONG OF FREEDOM lyrics are the property of the respective authors, artists and labels, the lyrics are provided for educational and study purposes only. If you like the song, please buy relative CD to support Bobby Darin.]

PARCEL POST 2008 @ www.parcelpost08.blogspot.com
A New Year. A New Blog.