Song Lyric Sunday: “It’s All In The Game”

The minute I saw this week’s prompt, “game”, the only song that immediately played in my head was the old pop standard “It’s All In The Game”. Although recorded by many over the years, Tommy Edwards’ 1958 doo-wop recording is the definitive version, peaking at #1 on the Billboard charts. His earlier 1951 waltz-time recording is notable primarily in contrast to the 1958 hit. That Carl Sigman wrote the lyrics in 1951 set to music written 40 years earlier isn’t the most interesting fact related to this song. That honor belongs to the composer, Charles Gates Dawes, who was the Comptroller of the Currency in the U.S. Treasury Department when he wrote the music. Even that pales when compared with Mr. Dawes’ other claims to fame. He was Vice-President to Calvin Coolidge, making him the only V.P. with #1 hit. Impressive? But wait, there’s more. He was a Nobel laureate, having won the Peace Prize in 1925. He followed his V.P. stint with an ambassadorship to the United Kingdom. Learning about Dawes’ accomplishments bowled me over. My American Studies degree may make me just a little biased, but his pedigree blew my mind. Not only was his father a Civil War general under Ulysses S. Grant, but one of his great-great grandfathers, William Dawes, rode with Paul Revere that April night in 1775, rousing the militia to defend against the British. Whew! Even the 1958 “All In The Game” seems almost anti-climactic now.

“It’s All In The Game”

Many a tear has to fall but it’s all in the game
All in the wonderful game that we know as love
You have words with him and your future’s looking dim
But these things your hearts can rise above

Once in a while he won’t call but it’s all in the game
Soon he’ll be there at your side with a sweet bouquet
And he’ll kiss your lips and caress your waiting fingertips
And your hearts will fly away

(Soon he’ll be there at your side) with a sweet bouquet
Then he’ll kiss your lips and caress your waiting fingertips
And your hearts will fly away

Writer/s: CARL SIGMAN, CHARLES GATES DAWES
Publisher: MUSIC SALES CORPORATION,
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Response to Song Lyric Sunday

Song Lyric Sunday — “A Dream Away” — The Cars

I just can’t get this particular challenge and this past Sunday’s prompt, dream, out of my mind. Don’t get me wrong: I love ELP’s “I’ll Be Watching Over You” that I chose as my response. But I debated with myself for quite a while, weighing that one against The Cars’ “A Dream Away”. In the end, my choice was based on two factors. First, ELP’s song seemed “dreamier”, whereas The Cars’ contender seemed, well, not exactly nightmarish but like it would produce more of a restless night, belying its title. Second, I love Greg Lake’s voice; Ric Ocasek’s, not so much.

When it comes right down to it, though, it’s The Cars’ song that I haven’t been able to get out of my mind. Usually whether or not I like a Cars song depends almost entirely on whether or not Benjamin Orr’s rich, melodious voice is the one I’ll be hearing. Surprisingly, however, Ocasek’s vocals aren’t as brusque as usual. In fact, singing the thought-provoking lyrics he wrote, he has an almost Orr-like sensual delivery. Ocasek’s lyrics tend to be cryptic yet vivid, as many dreams are. Orr’s pulsing bass line kicks in at around 00:30 to generate a sense of urgency in this dreamworld. You may not get a restful night, but you won’t soon forget the dreamscape Ocasek paints.

“A Dream Away”
Five in the morning, all alone in your room
Door locked tight, private moon
No faces to face, no one to blame
Nonexistent inside this frame

You better
Take it on the run
Take it on the run
Yeah

There’s a cheetah walking high
Liquid whispers, dragonfly
Charleston booties, painted toes
Drop the knot, ivory soul

You better
Take it on the run
Take it on the run
Yeah

The good life is just a dream away
I said, The good life is just a dream away

Choke emotion, lose control
Chicken counters, fill your bowls
The lonely crowd, is decomposed
Lost obsession, future froze

Well, take it on the run
Take it on the run
Take it on the run
Take it on the run
Take it on the run

The good life is just a dream away
I said, the good life is just a dream away

Response #2 to Song Lyric Sunday - Dream
Response to FOWC - Nightmare

Song Lyric Sunday – “I’ll Be Watching Over You” – Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Clearly, it’s not Sunday, but today I stumbled upon Helen Vahdati’s blog, “This Thing Called Life One Word at a Time”, where she hosts Song Lyric Sunday. I really love the idea of this challenge, so even though it’s now Wednesday, I’m adding my two cents to this week’s theme: Dream.

When most people think of prog rock supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer, they think of flamboyant, theatrical stage shows featuring ELP’s trademark musical blend of classical, jazz, and rock. Some are drawn to Keith Emerson’s virtuoso organ and synthesizer performances, often highlighted by his flying piano and physical abuse of his Hammond organ. Others are drawn to Palmer’s powerful extensive drum solos. Not me. When I think of ELP, I think of Greg Lake’s beautiful voice singing Peter Sinfield’s literate, esoteric lyrics. One of my favorite Lake/Sinfield songs is “Watching Over You”, a tender lullaby written for Lake’s daughter. The definitive studio version is on the 2017 Remastered version of their 1977 Works Volume 2 album, but as far as I’m concerned, nothing beats this live performance:

“Watching Over You”
Good night, good night….
Look at that moon shine so bright.
And tonight he smiles
Especially for you.

Sleep tight, sleep tight.
Know everything is alright.
And tonight I will be here
Watching over you.

For tonight I will be here watching over you.
Tonight I’ll be here watching over you.

Sweet dreams, sweet dreams.
It is never as real as it seems.
And in the morning when you wake up
I will be right here.

Sleep on, sleep on.
For no matter how dark or how long
It may seem that your night is
I will still be here.

I will still be here watching, watching over you.
So sleep, little darling, sleep on through.

So be still, be still
For you know that I always will
Tonight and forever
Be watching over you.

For tonight and forever, be watching over you.
So sleep, little darling, sleep on through.

I will be watching over you.