Spring Song Selections Pt. II

The assemblage of songs, to reflect upon times and seasons in my life has always held importance to me.

The following songs evoke the spring season for me. As mentioned in part I of this series, I believe musical taste is revealing. I share why I've chosen each song, hoping you enjoy them.

When I Fall In Love - Live (cover), by Sam Cooke

I believe Sam Cooke had sung this, thinking of somebody he loved. He unequivocally meant the words he had sung that night.

The recording opens with the beautifully sung rumination I've felt deeply, in my past and present... "Maybe I'm old fashioned, feeling as I do... Or even, maybe, maybe I'm living in the past... Oh, but when I meet the right one... I just know that I'll be true. For my, my first love will be my last..."

Then Sam & the Copa band musically build into the universal tale of romantic disenchantment we have all experienced at some chapter in our lives... "In a restless world like this is... Love has sorta ended before it's begun... And too many moonlight kisses seem to cool in the warmth of the sun..." Till I feel moved to my spirit once he unwaveringly and still hopefully cries out... "... Oh!.. When I give, when I give, when I give, when I give my heart... It's gonna be completely... Oh yea, oh yea... Or I'll never... I'll never, never, never give my heart... Oh no, I won't."

This song exquisitely recounts what many of us continue to do... We somehow believe in spite of our disappointing love stories and defeated expectations, that the perfect love remains available to us... And it absolutely is.

Someone to Watch Over Me (cover), by Lena Horne & Marty Gold

I adore Lena Horne; she epitomizes the beautiful, tasteful, and classy African American woman I aspire to be.

I appreciate Blossom Dearie's original, but Horne's version moved me to tears, adding depth to the lyrics.

"There's a somebody I'm longin' to see... I hope that he turns out to be... Someone who'll watch over me... I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood... I know I could always be good... To one who'll watch over me... Oh, how I need someone to watch over me..."

In her earnest voice and beautiful brown face, I realized we shared many experiences.

Nature Boy (cover), by Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga, and Tony Bennett singing big band tunes as an unexpected pair is such a treat!.. This song is masterful, bestowing a universal truth to all who listen.

I recall the first time I had discovered this gem, just entering my adult years... The lyrics resonated with me, and taught me something important... "And then one day... The magic day he passed my way... And while we spoke of many things, fools and kings... This he said to me... The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return..."

Mr. Bojangles (cover), by Nina Simone

Nina Simone's rendition of this classic song is nothing short of fabulous. Simone knows how to tell a story -- she tells us Mr. Bojangles's story with such affection and sadness. This recording haunts you after a listen.

Happier Than The Morning Sun, by Stevie Wonder

I love Stevie Wonder for his unmatched vocal, lyrical, and instrumental talent. This song is beautifully expressive, with the guitar matching the warmth of Wonder's voice.

I have felt happier than the morning sun, and I hope you experience that as well.

Keep Gettin' It On, by Marvin Gaye

This is a brilliant and epicurean interlude, in the iconic Marvin Gaye album Let's Get It On.

Throughout this tempting transition, Gaye fervently preaches we should get it on above all, all day, everyday. He reasons with us... "Don't you want somebody?.. Think about you good, now... Yeah, you got some goodness in you... Come on, just bring it on now.. What you waiting for?.. Oh, Jesus, trying to tell the people... To come on and get it on, yes, Lord..."

I receive his message, and I am passing it on to you.

Miracles, by Jefferson Starship

I was gifted this song at the age of seventeen, by a much older man who was completely taken with me. I appreciated it then and I appreciate it now.

Hypnotic and sexy, almost orgy-like sums the song.

"... So we're making love, you feel the power and I feel the power... And there's really nothing we can't do..." Then naked male & female voices eagerly echo and exclaim in unison "... you know we could, you know we could..."