So the ball has dropped, the hugs are given, the kisses are taken, and the canyons of midtown Manhattan reverberate with music. Times Square is very traditional.
My music, meaning music of my generation. On CNN, hosts Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen mercifully ceased their inane banter to allow the music to speak.
First, naturally and eternally, is Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” words by Fred Ebb, music by John Kander, the city’s anthem since 1977 when we first heard it in Martin Scorsese’s “New York” musical.
Second, Ray Charles’ 1972 super soulful version of “America the Beautiful.” The lyrics by Katharine Lee Bates, music by gossip choirmaster Samuel A. Ward.
Finally, Louis Armstong’s 1959 recording of “What a Wonderful World,” co-written by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele. Then Anderson and Andy resumed their babble.
The “newest” of the anthems is almost 50 years old.
And, to me, the three reach perfection in American songwriting and performance.
All three singers are gone, except in memory.
No acid rock, no hip hop, no yacht rock, no house music, not even Beyonce or Taylor Swift.
Yet.
Does this speak only to the taste of the NYC producers? Does it mean anything that all songs are sung by male artists? Is it the patriarchy at work? Does it matter that two of the three are Black? Is that DEI at work?
I don’t know. Do you?
Comments are open as always.
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I, for one, miss Guy Lombardo's "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight. The others are good too, but didn't stay up to listen. Once the ball dropped, so did I....off to sleep.
Happy New Year, Stu et al.
Auld Lang Syne can be heard, too.
It's too bad they didn't play 'God Bless America' by Kate Smith. Or do the 'great unwashed' still think she's politically incorrect? I'm still mad they removed her statue from outside the arena.
The great unwashed is fine with Kate Smith. It’s the woke that ain’t.
Stu, good summary of songs to bring in the new year absent criticism of lyrics or artists. Despite contemplating for several minutes, I can’t conceive what Daniel will find objectionable about post and how he might disparage any commenter who doesn’t agree with him. Perhaps a Happy New Year?
Puerile.
I thoroughly enjoy the music they play at Times Square after the famous ball drop. I taped it so I wouldn’t miss it and watched it when I returned home. I hope it stays as it is in the future.
My guess is, it will.
America The Beautiful should absolutely be the National Anthem. It is a far superior song and lyric than the current song. Happy New Year to all.
Yes Freeze, America The Beautiful should be our National Anthem and, in my opinion the version by Ray Charles should be the one that is played.
Agree, and far more singable.
Since I don’t get CNN because I’m cheap and stream enough without cable, I no longer see Cooper and Cohen. Alas, I find them comical. But I didn’t see any of it. We were at a bar watching my Penn State Nittany Lions in the Fiesta Bowl and in an Uber at 11 PM central time. Wanted to try to catch Nashville country music in my time zone but missed that too.
I watched Penn State’s victory AND the midnight in NYC thanks to the magic of my DVR
Happy New Year Stu! I bet a lot of people woke up from Big Hangover saying Oh, My head! Did you hear about the people were killed by terrorist in New Orleans? Over 15 died and 30 people were injured. He turned to be U.S. Citizen who has ISIS Flag on his home. Crazy Nut job!
Happy New Year and Be safe! God bless you and your family.
Three great singers and their songs Stu. I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said.
“America the Beautiful.” should be our National Anthem and Ray Charles’ version of it should be the the one used.
Agree
"Please, God - watch over our nation in the coming year. Thank you."
I love the songs suggested, but prefer our National Anthem. I have an idea though, for a new anthem for Donald Trump. Instead of "God Bless The USA," by Lee Greenwood, how about "The Second Time Around," by Old Blue Eyes, with a few changes. 😀
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!
Good joke.