To my sweet lady, my funny Valentine,
Night and day, if I think of you, I’m lost in the stars. I dream of you and I believe we’ll be together always. I’ve high hopes for all my tomorrows, from here to eternity; and they can’t take that away from me. I tried, but I can’t stop loving you. Maybe it’s because, I’ve got you under my skin.
You’re the top, you’re sensational. I’m mad about you. You are too beautiful and for once in my life I hear strange music from over the rainbow. I get a kick out of you and now I only have eyes for you. But when the sun goes down and in the still of the night, softly as I leave you, I’m tenderly whispering goodbye. It’s like a sad song in stormy weather; a misty rain in my heart. I don’t like goodbyes.
That’s life – that’s how it goes – just one of those things. Then just in time, you do something to me, and … paradise! Love is the tender trap; nevertheless, do I worry? I should care! It’s all right with me.
In the wee small hours of the morning, the very thought of you, lover, brings a pocketful of miracles. It’s always you; unforgettable, embraceable you. It had to be you, time after time, moment to moment, night after night, day in, day out, come rain or come shine – memories of you. ’S wonderful, c’est magnifique. I could write a book.
Life is so peculiar but it’s a wonderful world! Once upon a time, we were strangers in the night, that’s all; feet of clay, dancing in the dark. Then suddenly love, out of nowhere. Witchcraft; that old black magic and all of me, bewitched, bothered and bewildered! Zing went the strings of my heart. Then more temptation and my heart stood still. It all came true – remember? You & I, cheek to cheek, searching for something in the shadow of the moon; dropping three coins in the fountain like pennies from heaven. Two hearts, two kisses, two in love; too marvellous for words. It was a very good year.
It’s nice to go travelling but I guess I’ll have to dream the rest. So, here goes… imagination, the impossible dream. These foolish things are gone with the wind. Anything goes in this happy madness. Come fly with me, around the world; sunrise in the morning, together, on the road to Manderlay. Then, daybreak on the isle of Capri; April in Paris, autumn in New York on a foggy day. The good life in Brazil and Granada. Sunny California, Chicago on a clear day and moonlight in Vermont. Let it snow – I couldn’t care less.
Why shouldn’t I take a chance? Downtown, there’s a small hotel, on the sunny side of the street. S’posing it’s available? Call me irresponsible but fools rush in. Yesterday, it never entered my mind but I see it now – London by night on some enchanted evening, under a blue moon; stardust, days of wine and roses. Let’s get away from it all for a while. It’s a fine romance but the best is yet to come. Let’s do it, something stupid, indiscreet and all the way – just for now, all of you, one night … a long night. Stay with me, body and soul and love me.
This is one for my baby, hidden persuasion from the man in the looking glass.
Francis Albert Sinatra
P.S. I love you.
Comments
tcook | December 1, 2009 - 13:06
That is brilliant! Helvigo tells me there are (he thinks) 161 song titles and just 57 connecting words - I feel an IP coming on - but next week's is already sorted so you'll just have to wait for this one.
h jenkins | December 1, 2009 - 23:26
Thank you Julie. Glad you liked it. It was a lot of work but worth it as I enjoyed doing it. Sinatra's not too bad as there is such a wide choice and they're all pretty much on the one theme. I think it would be much harder with many other artists.
Helvigo Jenkins
Cavalcaderl | December 2, 2009 - 21:55
New H.Jenkins
Absolutely brilliant
many congratulations on the
well earn't cherry!
I agree with all t.cook says
all the songs 161 fantastic,
titles and mingled
into wonderful story,
I tried once but no
where as grand as yours,
just a few !or could
do.well done!
exceptionally clever
must taken quite a while!.
julie x cavalcader (:-
penandpaperdreams | March 23, 2010 - 20:01
wow this is brilliant, I'm not the biggest Sinatra fan I must be honest so I didn't realise until towards the end, but the moment I did I saw stars! Absolutely got to be one of the cleverest pieces I have ever read in my life.
Not only that, but you managed to weave the titles in such a way that it flowed beautifully - like I said, I had no idea until towards the end so it just goes to show how well you achieved that!
Really, really good. I'm going to be reading this over and over all night now trying to find the titles!
Rachel xx
h jenkins | March 24, 2010 - 11:06
Actually, I'm not that fond of Sinatra myself - I chose him as the vehicle mainly because of the choices it gave.
So glad you like it. It was fun doing it and I was tempted to lengthen it even further but you have to call a halt somewhere I s'pose.
Helvigo Jenkins
penandpaperdreams | March 25, 2010 - 13:33
Has inspired me to attempt something similar, when I find the time! Yes I think you stopped just in time, but then again you are very talented so who knows?!
Really enjoyed it, have just read it again ... still haven't found them all!
Would love to see another of its kind, maybe The Beatles?
Rachel xx
h jenkins | March 25, 2010 - 20:21
Hi Rachel,
You read my mind. I did do some of the research for a Beatles one but put it aside 'cos I got stuck. Perhaps I'll pick it up again one day.
If you're going to have a go, my advice is to decide upon the format first (eg a letter or a poem or a song or whatever). This will tell you what titles will fit the format. That's better than scrabbling around trying to force titles you like into something and then realising it doesn't hang together.
That's one of the reasons I chose Sinatra; I didn't really have pre-conceived ideas about the songs, I just picked titles that seemed to fit the format.
Anyway, good luck. If you are going to have a stab, I do have one or two more pieces of advice but I won't waste your time outlining them here.
Helvigo Jenkins
penandpaperdreams | March 25, 2010 - 20:41
I would love further advice, Helvigo, please send anything you have to me via email if you would like, I would be completely grateful:)
Maybe I didn't read your mind, I think The Beatles is a bit of an obvious choice really, some other band like The Beautiful South is what I'm thinking of, and thank you for giving me some starting tips - I would've done what you've advised not to and tried to gel words together whether they wanted to stick or not!
I'm always looking for new ideas and am open to any suggestions so feel free to fire your advice my way.
Sometimes I think I could do with a little mentoring!
Fortunately, this place is full of great people who are willing to offer a little of their know-how and you can't really ask for much more than that.
Would love to talk all things poetry and prose with you more, please email me if you would like this too.
Rachel xx