Here’s some good ole Canadian rock for ya — ‘Born To Be Wild’ by Canadian-born Mars Bonfire for the 60′s/70′s rock group Steppenwolf. The song was the third single off the band’s debut album and quickly became their most successful reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts. Rolling Stone honored the number as #129 on the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It was featured on the soundtrack for the 1969 film ‘Easy Rider’, which solidified the number as an anthem for Biker culture.
Archives: Arrangements
Arrangement set encompassing one or more Engravings
Daniel’ is a 1973 hit for Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin. The song is perhaps one of the most misunderstood popular Ballads — the lyrics are inspired by the Vietnam War and tell the tale of the woes of an injured solider returning home. He travels to Spain to escape the ‘hero status’ lauded on him by friends and family back in Texas. In classic Elton form the graceful ballad has a moderate, moving style which made it such an enduring success. The song was released on John’s 1973 album ‘Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player’.
This Andrews Sister’s Jump Blues hit was a favourite WWII-era number that landed it the ranking of #6 in the ‘Songs Of The Century’ list from the RIAA. The 1941 release, written by Don Raye and Hughie Price was pressed nearly a year before the US entered the war. It tells the tale of a Chicago musician drafted into the US Army who’s groovin’ Revile stylings land him a spot keeping the troops’ toes tapping. It, of course features the Andrews Sisters’ classic harmonized vocals, but works just as well as a solo vocal number!
Elton John’s tribute to the ‘Happy Days’ of the 50s, ‘Crocodile Rock’ is loved as one of his bubbly, nostalgia filled hits. The lyrics, penned by his long-time writing partner Bernie Taupin harken back to a simpler time of Malt shops, fast cars and a jukebox that never quits. This #1 hit was recorded at Château d’Hérouville in France as part of the ‘Don’t Shoot Me I’m The Piano Player’ sessions in 1972.
‘Blame It On The Boogie’ is Disco at it’s finest – as presented by the family super-group, the Jacksons. Featuring the King of Pop on top and the vocal harmonies of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy it has become a stalwart favorite of the genre. Michael reminisced on recording the song in his book ‘Moonwalk’: “It was an uptempo, finger-poppin’-time type song that was a good vehicle for the band approach we wanted to cultivate. I had fun slurring the chorus: [the lyric] ‘Blame It on the Boogie’ could be sung in one breath without putting my lips together.”
Candle In The Wind’ is Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s love note to the flim icon Marilyn Monroe. The song was recorded and released in 1973 on the classic double album ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ along with numerous other great hits from the songwriting duo. In 1997 Elton revisited the song and re-tooled the lyrics to create a tribute to the late Princess Diana. That version of the song outstripped the sales of the original becoming the highest selling single of all time. This moving and delicate ballad is a timeless classic!
And I Love You So’ was one of many beautiful Don McLean numbers covered by the King, Elvis Presley. The song was originally recorded by McLean on his album ‘Tapestry’ and was also a hit for Perry Como in 1973. Elvis first recorded the number in 1975 for his album ‘Elvis Today’ and it became a regular attraction at his live shows thereafter. It is a moderate tempo ballad with haunting lyrics and a lush orchestration.
Bennie & The Jets’ is Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s fictional tale of a superstar group that appeared on his 1973 masterpiece ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’. It set a picture of a band that epitomized the glam and show of 1970s pop music: “She’s got electic boots, a mohair suit…”. The song is a classic example of John’s singature piano driven, Pop/Rock style and Taupin’s fun and illistrative lyric ability.
‘All Or Nothing At All’ is a gorgeous 1939 love song from Jack Lawrence and Arthur Altman. Given the melancholic stylings of ‘Old Blue Eyes’ it becomes a heartfelt, painful tale of how a man can’t live without the one he loves. The song was a hit for Sinatra and his then bandleader, the great Harry James. Sinatra reportedly used it as his audition tune to secure a slot with the Tommy Dorsey band. The song has seen many treatments from the greats such as Chet Baker, Coltrane, Sarah Vaughan and Diana Krall but none can compare with the great Sinatra original.
Prince’s Millenium party anthem – ’1999′ is one of his best known pop hits. Featuring his trademark vocal stylings along with fellow members of ‘The Revolution’, Dez Dickerson, Lisa Coleman and Jill Jones it talks about partying like it’s the end of the world (but you already knew that, didn’t you?!). This bouncy dance classic is perfect for any gig or party and we’ve expanded the celebratory options by offering this one to Big Bands with a sense of fun!