Bill Sharkey: Live Cover Songs

Spooky (Dennis Yost & Classics IV, 1967). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-03-04. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive "Spooky," written by Buddy Buie, J. R. Cobb, Harry Middlebrooks and Mike Sharpiro, was the Classics IV's first top 10 hit, rising to no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in at the winter of 1967 (Whitburn, 2013). The song was originally recorded by saxophonist Mike Sharpe as an instrumental track, which landed at no. 57 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1967; The Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS) also charted with their version hitting no. 17 on the chart in 1979 (Whitburn, 2013). The ARS recording sounds a lot like the Classic IV's recording, which most likely happened because three of the Classic IV's members formed the ARS (songfacts, 2023). Lyrics: In the cool of the evening when ev'rything is gettin' kind of groovy, I call you up and ask you if you want to go and meet and see a movie, First you say no, you've got some plans for the night, And then you stop, and say, "All right." Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you. You always keep me guessin', I never seem to know what you are thinkin'. When every fella looks at you, I'm sure your little eye'll be a-winkin'. I get confused, 'cause I don't know where I stand, And then you smile, and hold my hand. Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you. Spooky! If you decide someday to stop this little game that you are playin', I'm gonna tell you all the things my heart's been a-dyin' to be sayin'. Just like a ghost, you've been a-hauntin' my dreams, So I'll propose... on Halloween. Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you. Spooky, Spooky, All right I said Spooky, Ahwwww Yeah Yeah I said Spooky! Yeah Yeah

I Saw the Light (Todd Rundgren, 1972). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-03-02. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "I Saw the Light," written by Todd Rundgren, was Rundgren's first solo top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart landing at no. 16 in 1972 (Whitburn, 2013); although his band "Runt," which was in essence a solo project, had Rundgren's very first top 20 hit with "We Gotta Get You A Woman," (no. 20 on the Billboard chart) (allmusic, 2023). Of writing the song, Rundgren explained "I wrote this song in 15 minutes from start to finish. It was one of the reason that caused me to change my style of writing. It doesn't matter how clever a song is - if it's written in 15 minutes, it is such a string of clichés that it just doesn't have lasting impact for me. And for me, the greatest disappointment in the world is not being able to listen to my own music and enjoy it" (songfests, 2023). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: It was late last night I was feeling something wasn't right There was not another soul in sight Only you, only you So we walked along, Though I knew there was something wrong And the feeling hit me oh so strong about you Then you gazed up at me and the answer was plain to see 'Cause I saw the light in your eyes Though we had our fling I just never would suspect a thing 'Til that little bell began to ring in my head In my head But I tried to run, Though I knew it wouldn't help me none 'Cause I couldn't ever love no one, or so I said But my feelings for you Were just something I never knew 'Til I saw the light in your eyes But I love you best It's not something that I say in jest 'Cause you're different, girl, from all the rest In my eyes And I ran out before but I won't do it anymore Can't you see the light in my eyes

Aloha Everyone: I'm continuing my oldies/classics revival during the month of March at Puka's Bar Courtyard every Wednesday night 5:30-7:30pm. Come out and enjoy the outdoor venue, food and drinks, and sing along to the songs of the '50s, '60s, '70s, 80s and '90s at Puka's Bar Courtyard, Kahala Mall, in front of Whole Foods. Hope to see you there. March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th Chantilly Lace (Big Bopper, 1958). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-02-28. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Chantilly Lace," written by J. P. Richardson (The Bib Bopper), was Richardson's debut single and his highest charting song rising to no. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remained on the chart for 25 weeks; however, Richardson died, along with Richie Valens and Buddy Holly, less than a year after the release of this song (Feb. 3, 1959) (Whitburn, 2013). One interesting note is that Richardson produced three music videos during 1958, "Chantilly Lace," "Big Bopper's Wedding" and "Little Red Riding Hood," all written by Richardson (songfacts, 2023). Richardson referred to these videos as "rock videos." . . . According to Bill Griggs, editor of the "Rockin' 50s" music magazine, the Big Bopper was convinced that video was the wave of the future and, at the time of his death, he was preparing to start production on music videos for TV and a specially designed jukebox that would play videos (songfacts, 2023). Way ahead of his time, pre Beatles and MTV. Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: Hello, baby Yeah, this is the Big Bopper speakin' Ha ha ha ha ha, oh you sweet thing Do I what? Will I what? Oh baby, you know what I like Chantilly lace and a pretty face And a pony tail a-hangin' down That wiggle in the walk And giggle in the talk Makes the world go 'round There ain't nothin' in the world Like a big-eyed girl That makes me act so funny Make me spend my money Make me feel real loose, like a long necked goose Like a girl, oh baby, that's what I like What's that baby, but, but? Oh honey But? Oh baby, you know what I like Chantilly lace and a pretty face And a pony tail a-hangin' down That wiggle in the walk And giggle in the talk Makes the world go 'round There ain't nothin' in the world Like a big-eyed girl That makes me act so funny Make me spend my money Make me feel real loose, like a long necked goose Like a girl, oh baby, that's what I like What's that, honey? Pick you up at eight and don't be late? But, baby, I ain't got no money, honey Ha ha ha ha ha Oh, all right, baby, you know what I like Chantilly lace and a pretty face And a pony tail a-hangin' down That wiggle in the walk And giggle in the talk Makes the world go 'round There ain't nothin' in the world Like a big-eyed girl That makes me act so funny Make me spend my money Make me feel real loose, like a long necked goose Like a girl, oh baby, that's what I like

Meet Me On the Corner (Lindisfarne, 1972). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-02-23. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Meet Me On the Corner," written by the group's bassist Rod Clements, was Lindisfarne's first charting single in the UK and rose to the no. 5 position there; however, the song did not chart in the US (Larkin, 1997; officialcharts, 2023; Whitburn 2013). The song is the opening track to the band's second album "Fog On the Tyne," which hit the no. 1 position in the UK in 1971 (Larkin, 1997). According to Clements, "I wrote the song over two nights. It just came together. The guitar part took me about half-an-hour to put together. Then the following night I came up with the lyrics - again in about half an hour" (D. Morton, chroniclelive, 1 Mar 2022). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: Hey mister dream seller Where have you been. Tell me have you dreams I can see? I came along, just to bring you this song, Can you spare one dream for me? You won't have met me, And you'll soon forget. So don't mind me tugging at your sleeve. I'm asking you, If I can fix a rendezvous, For your dreams are all I believe. Meet me on the corner, When the lights are coming on, And I'll be there. I promise I'll be there. Down the empty streets, We'll disappear into the dawn, If you have dreams enough to share. Lay down your bundles, Of rags and reminders, And spread your wears on the ground. Well I've got time, If you're dealing mine, I'm just hanging around. Meet me on the corner, When the lights are coming on, And I'll be there. I promise I'll be there. Down the empty streets, We'll disappear into the dawn, If you have dreams enough to share. Hey mister dream seller, Where have you been. Tell me have you dreams I can see? I came along, just to bring you this song, Can you spare one dream for me?

Red Red Wine (Neil Diamond, 1968; Vic Dana, 1970; UB40, 1982). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-02-20. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Red Red Wine," written by Neil Diamond, was a minor ballad hit for Diamond hitting the Billboard Hot 100 chart landing at the no. 62 position in 1968 and Vic Dana's version stalling at no. 72 in 1970; however, it was UB40's reggae version that many people remember. Their version originally rose to the no. 1 slot on the UK chart in 1983 and no. 34 on the US Billboard chart in 1984; but they released an extended version in the US, which included a rap sequence, in 1988. This version rose to no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (Kutner & Leigh, 2005; Whitburn, 2013). UB40s version was based on a 1969 reggae cover by Tony Tribe, thinking Tony Tribe's was the original version and that "N. Diamond" referred to Negus Diamond as the writer of the song (Kutner & Leigh, 2005). What is interesting is that Neil Diamond responded to a fan on Redit and stated that UB40's version is his favorite (N. Diamond, redit, 2014); in fact, Diamond performs UB40's reggae version at his live shows (Kutner & Leigh, 2005). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: Red, red wine, goes to my head, Makes me forget that I Still need you so Red, red wine, it's up to you All I can do, I've done But memories won't go No, memories won't go I'd have thought that with time Thoughts of you would leave my head I was wrong, now I find Just one thing makes me forget Red, red wine, stay close to me Don't let me be alone It's tearing apart My blue, blue heart I'd have thought that with time Thoughts of you would leave my head I was wrong, now I find Just one thing makes me forget Red, red wine, stay close to me Don't let me be alone It's tearing apart My blue, blue heart

Heartbeat (Buddy Holly, 1958). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-02-17. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Heartbeat," written by Bob Montgomery and Norman Petty, was Buddy Holly's first solo release without his backup band the Crickets; the song stalled at the no. 82 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958/1959 (Whitburn, 2013) but did reach no. 30 on the UK chart (officialcharts, 2023). "Heartbeat" was Holly's last single released prior to his untimely death (doyouremember, 2023), when he, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper (Jiles Perry "J.P." Richardson Jr.) were killed in a plane crash on Feb. 3, 1959; Holly was 22 years old (Dimery & MacDonald, 2007; Whitburn, 2013). An interesting side note, Buddy Holly and The Crickets were the first big-name white group to play the Apollo Theater in Harlem. They were booked there in 1957 by a promoter who assumed they were black" (songfacts, 223). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: Heartbeat Why do you miss when my baby kisses me Heartbeat Why does a love kiss stay in my memory Piddly pat I know that new love thrills me I know that true love will be Heartbeat Why do you miss when my baby kisses me Heartbeat Why do you skip when my babies lips meet mine Heartbeat Why do you flip and give me a skip each sign Piddly pat And sing to me love's story And bring to me love's glory Heartbeat Why do you miss when my baby kisses me

Good Thing (Paul Revere & the Raiders, 1966). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-02-15. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Good Thing," written by Mark Lindsay and Terry Melcher, was the Raiders' fifth top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart landing at the no. 4 position in 1966 (Whitburn, 2013). The song was released on the group's "The Spirit Of '67" LP and became the highest ranked song released from the album. Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: Shh, ahh Seems this worlds got you down Your feelin' bad vibrations frown Well, open your eyes girl, look at me I'm gonna show you how it ought to be We're gonna' have a good thing Such a good thing baby And when your world don't seem just right And life's gettin' you uptight You can change that wrong to right Cause I was there myself last night Girl, I really had a good thing Such a good thing baby I, I, I won't have no one now No one around, to bring you down Well...groovy world, girl Let me bring you to a good, good, good, good thing girl Gotta hear me, you can't please them all, should you try They don't care if you live or die Cause their losers, what a shame I'm gonna show you to a brand new game Girl, we're gonna have a good thing Such a good thing, baby I won't tell you no,no, no lies When I'm through, you'll realize For the first time it seems right I'm gonna stay right here tonight Girl, we'll really have a good thing Such a good thing, baby Nobody, no one around, to bring you down Well...groovy world, girl Let me bring you to a good, good, good, good thing Such a good thing, girl Such a good thing, baby Such a, such a, such a, good thing, baby

Secretly (Jimmie Rodgers, 1958). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-02-12. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Secretly," written by Al Hoffman, Dick Manning and Mark Markwell, was Jimmie Rodgers' (not to be confused with Jimmie Rodgers & the Rainbow Ranch Boys) fourth top 10 hit landing at the no.3 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958 (Whitburn, 1994, 2013) and no. 5 on the Top Country Best Sellers'' chart (Whitburn, 1994). "In 1967 [Rodgers] was stopped by an off-duty Los Angeles police officer, and in an incident marred by conflicting reports (he said he was attacked and beaten by the police, they said he was drunk and fell down) he sustained severe injuries to his head that left him with brain and nerve damage. He sued the City of Los Angeles and, despite their claims of innocence, they settled out of court for $200,000" (imdb, 2023). Rodgers amassed 14 gold singles and 4 gold albums (imdb, 2023). He died of kidney disease on Jan. 18, 2021 at the age of 87 (Billboard, 2021). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: Why must I meet you in a secret rendezvous? Why must we steal away to steal a kiss or two? Why must we wait to do the things we want to do? Why, oh, why, oh, why, oh, why, oh why? Wish we didn't have to meet secretly Wish we didn't have to kiss secretly Wish we didn't have to be afraid To show the world that we're in love Till we have the right to meet openly Till we have the right to kiss openly We'll just have to be content to be in love secretly Why, oh, why, oh, why, oh, why, oh why? Wish we didn't have to meet secretly Wish we didn't have to kiss secretly Wish we didn't have to be afraid To show the world that we're in love Till we have the right to meet openly Till we have the right to kiss openly We'll just have to be content to be in love secretly

Closing Medley (Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) & Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Puka's Bar Courtyard, Kahala, HI. 202301-11. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" I close each of my live performances with this medley. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) (Beatles, The, 1967), written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite (Spaniels, The, 1954; McGuire Sisters, 1954; Johnnie & Jack, 1954; Sunny Gale, 1954), written by Calvin Carter and James "Pookie" Hudson. Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: We're Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band We hope you have enjoyed the show Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band We're sorry but it's time to go Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band We'd like to thank you once again Sergeant Pepper's one and only Lonely Hearts Club Band It's getting very near the end Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band ____________________________________________________ Goodnite sweetheart, well, it's time to go Goodnite, sweetheart, well, it's time to go I hate to leave you, but I really must say Oh, Goodnite, sweetheart, Goodnite Goodnite, sweetheart, well, it's time to go Goodnite, sweetheart, well, it's time to go I hate to leave you, I really must say Oh, Goodnite, sweetheart, Goodnite Well, it's three o'clock in the morning Baby, I just can't keep it right Well, I hate to leave you, baby Don't mean maybe, because I love you so Goodnite, sweetheart, well, it's time to go Goodnite, sweetheart, well, it's time to go I hate to leave you, I really must say Oh, Goodnite, sweetheart, Goodnite Mother oh and your father Might hear if I stay here too long One kiss and we'll part And I'll be going You know I hate to go Goodnite, sweetheart, well, it's time to go Goodnite, sweetheart, well, it's time to go I hate to leave you, I really must say Oh. Goodnite, sweetheart, Goodnite

Somebody's Baby (Jackson Browne, 1982). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-02-08. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Somebody's Baby," written by Jackson Browne and Danny Kortchmar, was Jackson Browne's seventh and last top 20 release and his highest charting single rising to the no. 7 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1982 (Whitburn, 2013). Kortchmar and Browne were friends with Cameron Crowe who was working on the film "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and needed a song for the film. Kortchmar was already involved with the film and asked Browne to help complete a song he was working on, "Somebody's Baby." Browne was hesitant because it was not in line with his own writings; he felt it was an "unabashed pop song." He relented and the song has been his most popular recording (songfacts, 2023). "Most musicians would want their most popular songs on their albums, but Browne was OK having it on the "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" soundtrack, despite the advice of his former label boss David Geffen, who told him he was nuts for giving it up" (songfacts, 2023). "Even though the song was extremely popular, Browne declined to put it on his next album since it didn’t fit with the rest of his catalog. When he looks back, he realized t was a mistake" (L. Giantino, chaospin, Aug. 17, 2021). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: Well, just, a look at that girl with the lights comin' up in her eyes. She's got to be somebody's baby. She must be somebody's baby. All the guys on the corner stand back and let her walk on by. She's got to be somebody's baby. She must be somebody's baby. She's got to be somebody's baby. She's so fine. She's probably somebody's only light. Gonna shine tonight. Yeah, she's probably somebody's baby, all right. I heard her talkin' with her friend when she thought nobody else was around. She said she's got to be somebody's baby; she must be somebody's baby. Cause when the cars and the signs and the street lights light up the town, She's got to be somebody's baby; She must be somebody's baby; She's got to be somebody's baby. She's so She's gonna be somebody's only light. Gonna shine tonight. Yeah, she's gonna be somebody's baby tonight. I try to shut my eyes, but I can't get her outta my sight. I know I'm gonna know her, but I gotta get over my fright. We'll, I'm just gonna walk up to her. I'm gonna talk to her tonight. Yeah, she's gonna be somebody's only light. Gonna shine tonight. Yeah, she's gonna be somebody's baby tonight. Gonna shine tonight, make her mine tonight.

I Love You (Zombies, The, 1965; People, 1968).Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-02-04. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "I Love You," written by The Zombies bassist Chris White, was People's only entry into the Billboard Hot 100 rising to no. 14 in 1968 (Whitburn, 2013). White wrote the song in 1965, the Zombies recorded the song and originally released it as the "B" side of the song "Whenever You're Ready," however, it was not released on either of the UK and US albums "Begin Here" nor "The Zombies," respectively (Whitburn, 2006). It was eventually released on their "Early Days" compilation LP in 1969 (allmusic, 2023) and other future compilation LPs. White stated that "The thing that came first was the riff. That was the root of writing that one. In actual fact I think I nicked it off Tommy Roe (songfacts, 2023). Funny, the phrase "I Love You" is sung 33 times during the song (songfacts, 2023). The People's version of the song was more popular than the Zombies'; however, the Zombies began touring again in the 2000s and started including the song in their performances. Interestingly, Colin Blunstone (the lead singer of the Zombies) stated in an interview with songfacts.com that "People! had used our version to do a cover but they changed it slightly, and we took on board a lot of what they'd done. So, in fact, we were doing a cover of a cover of a cover" (2023). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: I love you, i love you, i love you Yes i do but the words won't come And i don't know what to say I should tell you i love you, i do The words should explain but the words won't come I shouldn't hide my love deep inside The words should explain but the words won't come I should tell you just how i feel and i keep try-y-y-in' But something holds me back when i try to tell you I love you, i love you, i love you Yes i do-o-o I love you, i love you, i love you Yes i do but the words won't come And i don't know what to say I shouldn't hide my love deep inside The words should explain but the words won't come If you could see what you mean to me The words should explain but the words won't come And oh, how hard i try to tell you i lo-o-ove you But something holds me back when i try to tell you I love you, i love you, i love you Yes i do-o-o I love you, i love you, i love you Yes i do but the words won't come And i don't know what to say, yeah! I should tell you i love you, i do The words should explain but the words won't come I shouldn't hide my love deep inside The words should explain but the words won't come And oh, how hard i try to tell you i lo-o-ove you But something holds me back when i try to tell you I love you, i love you, i love you Yes i do-o-o I love you, i love you, i love you Yes i do but the words won't come And i don't know what to say I love you

Chattahoochee (Alan Jackson, 1993). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-02-02. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Chattahoochee," written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride, was Jackson's first entry onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart landing at the no. 46 position; however, 7th no. 1 charting single on the Billboard Top Country Singles chart (Whitburn, 1994, 2013). The song was awarded both the CMA (Country Music Awards) Single of the Year and Song of the Year (Whitburn 2013). According to Jim McBride " "I knew about the Chattahoochie River, because I was raised in Alabama. . . . I was sitting in my home office one day, and I had just read a book about the Chattahoochie. I started playing a little melody and then I got the first two lines of the song. . . . I went out on the road shortly after that with Alan, so I showed the song idea to him. I sang the first couple lines, and he was all over it. We stared working on it in Tallahassee and then we finished it the next afternoon in Thibodeaux, Louisiana. We finished it before sound check, and he showed it to the band. They actually worked it up in sound check and performed it that night!" (songfacts, 2023). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs #countrymusic Lyrics: Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee It gets hotter than a hoochie coochie We laid rubber on the Georgia asphalt We got a little crazy but we never got caught Down by the river on a Friday night A pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight Talking 'bout cars and dreaming 'bout women Never had a plan just a livin' for the minute Yeah way down yonder on the Chattahoochee Never knew how much that muddy water meant to me But I learned how to swim and I learned who I was A lot about livin' and a little 'bout love Well we fogged up the windows in my old Chevy I was willing but she wasn't ready So I settled for a burger and a grape snow cone Dropped her off early but I didn't go home Down by the river on a Friday night A pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight Talking 'bout cars and dreaming 'bout women Never had a plan just a livin' for the minute Yeah way down yonder on the Chattahoochee Never knew how much that muddy water meant to me But I learned how to swim and I learned who I was A lot about livin' and a little 'bout love Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee It gets hotter than a hoochie coochie We laid rubber on the Georgia asphalt We got a little crazy but we never got caught Down by the river on a Friday night A pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight Talking 'bout cars and dreaming 'bout women Never had a plan just a livin' for the minute Yeah, way down yonder on the Chattahochee Never knew how much that muddy water meant to me But I learned how to swim and I learned who I was A lot about livin' and a little 'bout love. A lot about livin' and a little 'bout love. That's right

Sitting In the Park (Billy Stewart, 1965; GQ, 1980). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-01-30. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Sitting In the Park," written by Billy Stewart, was Stewart's fourth entry onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart landing at the no. 24 position in the summer of 1965 (Whitburn, 2013), while rising to the no. 4 position on the Billboard R&B chart (O. Alexander, blackpast, Jun. 16, 2021). Unfortunately, on January 17, 1970, at the young age of 32, Stewart died in a car crash into the Neuse River in North Carolina, which was caused by "a dislocated or cracked thread of the left adjusting sleeve in the steering control area, creating this mechanical failure" (O. Alexander, blackpast, Jun. 16, 2021). In 1980, the group GQ recorded an almost identical version of the song, which missed the Billboard Hot 100 by one spot stalling at no. 101 but rose to the no. 9 position on the Billboard R&B chart (Last, 2023; Whitburn, 2013). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs #R&B Lyrics: Sittin' in the park, Waitin' for hooo-hoo-hoo-hoo sha-la Yes I'm sitting right here Waiting for you my dear Wondering if you ever want to show up I don't know you're gonna show My darlin' I got to go But nevertheless I staying You got to be waiting Sittin' in the park, Waitin' for hooo-hoo-hoo-hoo sha-la-la Sitting here on the bench With my back against the fence Wonderin'-a-if I Have any sense Something tells me I'm a fool Let you treat me so cruel But nevertheless I say again you gotta be waiting Sittin' in the park, Waitin' for hoooo-hoo-hoo-hoo Why oh, why oh, why oh, Why oh, why oh, why oh, why Won't you tell me why Oh my darlin I'm sittin' right now Oh, girl, I want to know why? Why? sha-la-la-la Sittin' in the park, Waiting for hooo-hoo-hoo-hoo sha-la-la Sittin' here on the bench With my back against the fence Wonderin-a-if I Have any sense Something tells me I'm a fool Let you treat me so cruel Nevertheless I say it You gotta be waiting Sittin' in the park, Waiting for hooo-hoo-hoo-hoo No I'm not gonna wait I am tired of waiting No longer gonna wait, girl Any longer I'm tired of waiting No longer gonna wait, girl

I Dig Rock and Roll Music (Peter, Paul & Mary, 1967). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-01-05. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "I Dig Rock and Roll Music," written by Dave Dixon, James Mason and Paul Stookey, was Peter, Paul & Mary's ninth top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, hitting no. 9 in 1967 (Whitburn, 2013). "In an interview with the Chicago Daily News in 1966, a year before the song's appearance . . . Mary Travers, had said of rock, 'it's so badly written. ... When the fad changed from folk to rock, they didn't take along any good writers'" (ultimatepopculture.fandom, 2023). The writers of the song mock the Mama's and Papa's lyrics, the Beatles interest in money, while exaggerating Donovan's and the Beatles' musical stylings. In essence, they were making fun of the genre (lyricinterpretations, 2012). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs #folk Lyrics: I dig Rock and Roll music And I love to get the chance to play. (and sing it) I figure it's about the happiest sound goin' down today. The message may not move me, Or mean a great deal to me, But hey! it feels so groovy to say: I dig the Mamas and the Papas at "The Trip," Sunset Strip in L.A. And they got a good thing goin' When the words don't get in the way. And when they're really wailing, Michelle and Cass are sailin'. Hey! they really nail me to the wall. I dig Donovan in a dream-like, tripped out way His crystal images tell you 'bout a brighter day And when the Beatles tell you They've got a word "love" to sell you They mean exactly what they say I dig Rock and Roll music I could really get it on in that scene. I think I could say somethin' if you know what I mean But if I really say it, the radio won't play it Unless I lay it between the lines!

Bad To Me (Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas, 1964). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-01-26. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Bad To Me," written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, was Kramer's second entry onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart rising to no. 9 in 1964 (Whitburn, 2013). The song first appeared on the UK chart rising to the no. 1 position in August of 1963 (Kutner & Leigh, 2005). Although the song is attributed to Lennon and McCartney, Lennon has said that he actually wrote the song (Kutner & Leight, 2005); although, Lennon has also stated that McCartney was a contributor to the writing (Compton, 2017). Regardless, Kramer stated that "John came to me on my 20th birthday when I was on tour with them [The Beatles] and told me he'd written a song for me ["Bad To Me"]. . . . The next time I was recording at Abbey Road, he came and played it for me and we recorded it there and then" (songfacts, 2023). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs #britishinvasion Lyrics: If you ever leave me I'll be sad and blue Don't you ever leave me, I'm so in love with you The birds in the sky would be sad and lonely If they knew that I'd lost my one and only They'd be sad, don't be bad to me The leaves on the trees would be softly sighin' If they heard from the breeze that you left me cryin' They'd be sad, don't be bad to me But I know you won't leave me 'cos you told me so And I've no intention of letting you go Just as long as you let me know you won't be bad to me So the birds in the sky won't be sad and lonely 'Cause they know that I got my one and only They'll be glad you're not bad to me

Never Be Anyone Else But You (Ricky Nelson, 1959). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-01-23. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Never Be Anyone Else But You," Written by Baker Knight, was Ricky Nelson's 12th top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart landing at the no. 6 position in 1959 (Whitburn, 2013). Baker Knight was a prolific songwriter for many artists but provided Nelson with five top 20 hits from 1958-1959 ("Lonesome Town," "I Got A Feeling," "Never Be Anyone Else But You," "Sweeter Than You" and "I Wanna Be Loved") (Whitburn, 2013). Nelson compiled 19 consecutive top 40 hits from 1957-1960 and a total of 33 top 40 hits thoughout his career (plus one no. 6 hit in 1972 as Rick Nelson & the Stone Canyon Band "Garden Party") (Whitburn, 2013). Nelson tragically died in a plane crash in DeKalb, TX on Dec 31, 1985 on his way to a New Years Eve gig (he was 45 years old). Others who perished on the plane were "his fiance, Helen Blair, 27; and band members - Bobby Neal, 38; Patrick Woodward, 35; Rick Intveld, 22; Andy Chapin, 20, and Clark Russell, 35, who was the sound man" the pilot and co-pilot survived but were seriously injured (L. Tolley, apnews, Jan. 1, 1986). Nelson kick started his musical career while playing himself on his parents' TV show ″The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" in 1957; the show ran from 1952–1966 (imdb, 2023). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs #rockabilly Lyrics: There'll never be anyone else but you for me Never ever be, just couldn't be, anyone else but you If I could take my pick of all the girls I've ever known Then I'd come and pick you out to be my very own There'll never be anyone else but you for me Never ever be, just couldn't be, anyone else but you A heart that's true and longs for you is all I have to give All my love belongs to you as long as I may live There'll never be anyone else but you for me Never ever be, just couldn't be, anyone else but you I never will forget the way you kiss me And when we're not together, I wonder if you've missed me 'Cause I hope and pray the day will come when you belong to me Then I'm gonna prove to you how true my love can be There'll never be anyone else but you for me Never ever be, just couldn't be, anyone else but you Mm, mm, mm, mm Mm, mm, mm Mm, mm, mm

So Much In Love (Tymes, The, 1963; All-4-One, 1994). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-01-14. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "So Much In Love," written by William Jackson, Roy Straigis and George Williams, was the Tymes first entry onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart and rose to the no. 1 position in the summer of 1963, and All-4-One's version was also their debut single, which landing on the no. 5 position in 1994 (Whitburn, 2013). An honorable mention is Timothy B. Schmit's version, which landing on the no. 59 slot on the chart in 1982 and was his debut entry as well (Whitburn, 2013). Additionally, in 1988 a version by Art Garfunkel reached no. 11 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart (songfests, 2023). In 1963, The Tymes auditioned for Cameo-Parkway Records as the Latineers with the song “As We Strolled" (which was the original title of the song). They signed with the label, but Bernie Lowe the owner of the label did not like the group's name, so he suggested "The Tymes," and they also changed the title of the song to "So Much In Love" before releasing it (rebeatmag, 2022). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs #doowop Lyrics: As we stroll along together Holding hands, walking all alone So in love are we two That we don't know what to do So in love (doo, so in love) In a world of our own (doo, so in love) As we stroll by the sea together Under stars twinkling high above So in love are we two No one else but me and you So in love (doo, so in love) So much in love (doo, so in love) So in love (doo, so in love) So much in love (doo, so in love) We stroll along together I tell you I need you oh so much I love, love you my darling Can you tell it in my touch? When we walk down the aisle together We will vow to be together till we die So much love have we two Just can't wait to say "I do" So in love (doo, so in love) Are you and I (doo, you and I) So in love (doo, so in love) Are you and I (doo, you and I) So in love (doo, so in love) Are you and I (doo, you and I)

In the Midnight Hour (Wilson Picket, 1965; Mirettes, The, 1968; Cross Country, 1973). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-01-03. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "In the Midnight Hour," written by Steve Cropper and Wilson Pickett, was Pickett's first top 40 hit rising to no. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1965 (Whitburn, 2013). During an interview with Uncut in 2015, Cropper said that "heard Wilson singing on one of his gospel tracks. . . . 'Wilson says he wrote the song but, you know, I listened to some old church stuff he sang on and he was singing, 'See my Jesus in the midnight hour, see my Jesus in the midnight hour,' over and over, and I said, 'I'm gonna see my girl in the midnight hour,' what about that?'" (songfests, 2022). The song was recorded with the assistance of members of Booker T. & the MGs minus Booker T. (M. Hogan , allmusic, 2023; songfacts, 2023). The Mirettes were ex-members of the Ikettes from the Ike & Tina Turner Revue (Robbie Montgomery, Vanetta Fields, and Jessie Smith) (J. Bush, allmusic, 2023). The Mirettes version stalled at no. 45 in 1968 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, whereas Cross Country's version rose to no. 30 on the chart (Whitburn, 2013). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: I'm gonna wait 'till the midnight hour That's when my love come tumbling down I'm gonna wait 'till the midnight hour When there' no one else around I'm gonna take you, girl, and hold you And do all things I told you, in the midnight hour Yes I am, oh yes I am One thing I just wanna say, right here I'm gonna wait till the stars come out And see that twinkle in your eyes I'm gonna wait 'till the midnight hour That's when my love begins to shine You're the only girl I know Can really love me so, in the midnight hour Oh yeah, in the midnight hour Yeah, all right, play it for me one time, now I'm gonna wait 'till the midnight hour That's when my love come tumbling down I'm gonna wait, way in the midnight hour That's when my love begin to shine, just you and I Oh, baby, just you and I Nobody around, baby, just you and I Oh, right, you know what? I'm gonna hold you in my arms, just you and I Oh yeah, in the midnight hour Oh, baby, in the midnight hour

Every Night (Paul McCartney, 1970). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2023-01-02. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Every Night," written by Paul McCartney, is found on his 1970 debut album "McCartney" (Whitburn, 2006). "McCartney wrote this song during a holiday in Greece. It spotlights the depression he suffered after the breakup of The Beatles and is a declaration of his love for [his wife] Linda" (songfacts, 2022). “'Every Night' started out as a possible track for the Beatles’ final album, 'Let It Be.' Though he has stated that he 'had the first two lines for a few years' before its recording, Paul finished writing the song later on in 1969 while on vacation in Greece. In the final completed version, acoustic and bass guitars mix together with drums" all performed by McCartney (the-paulmccartney-project, 2022). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: Ev'ry night I just wanna go out Get out of my head Ev'ry day I don't wanna get up Get out of my bed Ev'ry night I want to play out And ev'ry day I wanna do-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh But tonight I just wanna stay in And be with you-oo And be with you Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh Ev'ry day I lean on a lamp post I'm wasting my time Ev'ry night I lay on a pillow I'm resting my mind Ev'ry morning brings a new day And ev'ry night that day is throuough But tonight I just wanna stay in And be with you And be with you Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, believe me, momma Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, momma Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh...

Truly Madly Deeply (Savage Garden, 1998). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2022-12-29. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Truly Madly Deeply," written by Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones, was Savage Garden's third top 40 hit rising to the no. 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1998 and remained on the chart for a full 52 weeks (Whitburn, 2013). Additionally, the song "spent a record 123 weeks on the [Billboard] US Adult Contemporary chart, topping it for 11 weeks. In 2011, Billboard magazine published their list of the top 100 Adult Contemporary songs of all time, and "Truly Madly Deeply" came in at #1" (songfacts, 2022). The song also rose to no. 1 in their home country of Australia and Canada (Hayes explained the writing of the song: "I'd only just gotten married and I was away from my wife. I was a 22-, 23-year-old baby in this new marriage, I'd never lived outside of my own city before and was genuinely just lost and sad. I wrote that song for her, about my wife and how much I missed her" (apple.music, 1997). Hayes and his wife later divorced (songfacts, 2022). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs #cover-songs Lyrics: I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need. I love you more with every breath, truly madly deeply do I will be strong, I will be faithful 'cause I'm counting on a new beginning. A reason for living. A deeper meaning. I want to stand with you on a mountain. I want to bathe with you in the sea. I want to lay like this forever. Until the sky falls down on me And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky, I'll make a wish send it to heaven then make you want to cry The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty. That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of The highest power, in lonely hours, the tears devour you I want to stand with you on a mountain, I want to bathe with you in the sea. I want to lay like this forever, Until the sky falls down on me Oh can you see it baby? You don't have to close your eyes 'Cause it's standing right before you. All that you need will surely come I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need. I'll love you more with every breath, truly madly deeply do I want to stand with you on a mountain I want to bathe with you in the sea. I want to lay like this forever. Until the sky falls down on me I want to stand with you on a mountain I want to bathe with you in the sea. I want to live like this forever. Until the sky falls down on me

Lady Eleanor (Lindisfarne, 1971/1972). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2022-12-26. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Lady Eleanor," written by band member Alan Hull, was Lindisfarne's first of only two releases to hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the USA. "Lady Eleanor" landed at no. 82 on the chart, staying on the chart for only 5 weeks, while rising to no. 3 on the UK chart (Whitburn, 2013; Wikipedia, 2022). Hull stated that the song was based on the writings of Edgar Alan Poe; the lyrics came to him after experiencing a strange nightmare after having read some of Poe's work (R. Phillips-Jones, spookyisles, Aug. 11, 2018). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/billsharkey Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: Bashee playing magician sitting lotus on the floor Belly dancing beauty with a power driven saw Had my share of nightmares, didn't think could be much more Then in walked Rodrick Usher with the Lady Eleanor She tied my eyes with ribbon of a silken ghostly thread I gazed with trouble vision on an old four poster bed Where Eleanor had risen to kiss the neck below my head And bid me come along with her to the land of the dancing dead But it's all right, Lady Eleanor All right, Lady Eleanor I'm all right where I am She gazed with the loving beauty like a mother to a son Like living, dying, seeing, being all rolled into one Then all at once I heard some music playing in my bones The same old song I'd heard for years, reminding me of home But it's all right, Lady Eleanor All right, Lady Eleanor I'm all right where I am Then creeping on towards me, lips with tongues of fire A host of golden demons screaming lust and base desire And when it seemed for certain that the screams could get no higher I heard a voice above the rest screaming, 'You're a liar' But it's all right, Lady Eleanor All right, Lady Eleanor I'm all right here in your arms

Do You Hear What I Hear -(Various Artists). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2022-12-24 "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Do You Hear What I Hear," written by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker in 1962, has become a Christmas time favorite and has been recorded by a multitude of artists. The Harry Simeone Chorale version was the first to hit the airways in 1962, but it was Bing Crosby's version that popularized the song worldwide (songfacts, 2022; Whitburn, 2013). Neither of the versions made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart; however, in 2007, Carrie Underwood recorded the song, and her version hit the chart but stalled at no. 90 (Whitburn, 2013). Regney wrote the lyrics as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 when the USSR was constructing bases for ballistic nuclear missiles in Cuba (M. J. Dangel, franciscanmedia, 2019). Baker has stated that neither she nor Regney "could personally perform the entire song at the time they wrote it because of the emotions surrounding the [Cuban missile] incident" (songfacts, 2022). **As an interesting side note, Bing "Crosby laid down his vocals on November 22, 1963, the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas" (songfacts, 2022). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs #christmas Lyrics: Said the night wind to the little lamb Do you see what I see Way up in the sky little lamb Do you see what I see A star, a star Dancing in the night With a tail as big as a kite With a tail as big as a kite Said the little lamb to the Shepard boy Do you hear what I hear Ringing through the sky Shepard boy Do you hear what I hear A song, a song High above the trees With a voice as big as the sea With a voice as big as the sea Said the Shepard boy to the mighty king Do you know what I know In your palace wall mighty king Do you know what I know A child, a child Shivers in the cold Let us bring him silver and gold Let us bring him silver and gold Said the king to the people everywhere Listen to what I say Pray for peace people everywhere Listen to what I say The child, the child Sleeping in the night He will bring us goodness and light He will bring us goodness and light

I'll Be Home For Christmas (Bing Crosby, 1943). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2022-12-17. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" Merry Christmas Everyone: "I'll Be Home For Christmas," written by Kim Gannon and Walter Kent, was a Christmas hit for Bing Crosby in 1943 rising to the no. 3 position on the Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart and no. 14 the following Christmas season (Whitburn, 1986). Other notable versions of the song that hit the Billboard charts with the song's resurgence in 1998 though the 2000s include Kelly Clarkson (Hot 100 chart, 2011 no. 93; Adult Contemporary, 2011 no. 7), Gosh Groban (Hot 100 chart, 2007 no. 95; Adult Contemporary chart, 2007 no. 1), Camila Cabello (Hot 100 chart, 2021, no. 71), Seth McFarlane (Adult Contemporary chart, 2014 no. 28), Brian McKnight (Adult Contemporary chart 2008, no. 14), and on the Hot Country Songs chart Elvis Presley and Carrie Underwood (2008, no. 54), Sara Evans (2006, no. 46), Rascal Flatts (2008, no. 34) and Reba McEntire (1998, no. 68) (songfacts, 2022; Wikipedia, 2022). Crosby's version became a hit during World War II; it resonated heavily with GIs fighting in the war (G. Dowell, lagrangenews, Dec. 18, 2018). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/billsharkey Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: I'll be home for Christmas You can plan on me Please have snow and mistletoe And presents on the tree Christmas Eve will find me Where the love light gleams I'll be home for Christmas If only in my dreams I'll be home for Christmas You can plan on me Please have snow and mistletoe And presents on the tree Christmas Eve'll find me Where the love light gleams I'll be home for Christmas If only in my dreams

Sam Stone (John Prine, 1972). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2022-12-11. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Sam Stone," written by John Prine, appeared on his first self-titled album in 1972 (Whitburn, 2006). Prine was a mechanic in the Army and stationed in Germany during the Viet Nam War; the song was written with his veteran friends in mind (J. Bevigliab, americansongwriter, 2022). As he explained: "There's no one person who was the basis for Sam Stone, more like three or four people; like a couple of my buddies who came back from Vietnam and some of the guys I served with in the Army. . . . At that time, all the other Vietnam songs were basic protest songs . . . I don't remember any other songs that talked about the soldiers at all. . . . All my buddies came home changed. . . . They weren't the same. I was trying to explain that to myself, and that's how I wrote 'Sam Stone'" (songfacts, 2022). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/billsharkey Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: Sam Stone came home To the wife and family After serving in the conflict overseas And the time that he served Had shattered all his nerves And left a little shrapnel in his knees But the morphine eased the pain And the grass grew 'round his brain And gave him all the confidence he lacked With a purple heart and a monkey on his back There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes Jesus Christ died for nothin I suppose Little pitchers have big ears Don't stop to count the years Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios Sam Stone's welcome home didn't last too long He went to work when he'd spent his last dime And soon he took to stealing When he got that empty feeling For a hundred dollar habit without overtime And the gold roared through his veins Like a thousand railroad trains And eased his mind in the hours that he chose While the kids ran around wearin' other peoples' clothes There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes Jesus Christ died for nothin I suppose Little pitchers have big ears Don't stop to count the years Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios Sam Stone was alone when he popped his last balloon Climbing walls while sitting in a chair Well, he played his last request While the room smelled just like death With an overdose hovering in the air But life had lost its fun There was nothing to be done But trade his house that he bought on the G.I. bill For a flag-draped casket on a local hero's hill There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes Jesus Christ died for nothin I suppose Little pitchers have big ears Don't stop to count the years Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios

Dandelion (Rolling Stones, The, 1967). Live cover performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2022-12-02. "Keeping the Oldies & Classics Alive" "Dandelion," written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, was the Rolling Stones' 14th top 40 hit rising to the no. 14 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1967 (Whitburn, 2013). The lyrics are derived from from various nursery rhymes (songfacts, 2022). The song was originally released as the "B" side to "We Love You" in the UK; however, "Dandelion" became the "A" side in America where it overtook "We Love You" on the charts (R. Unterberger, allmusic, 2022). John Lennon and Paul McCartney provided background vocals and Nicki Hopkins played harpsichord on the track (P. Margotin & J. Guesdon, 2016). "Richards named his first daughter after the song – although she decided to go by her middle name, Angela, instead" (rollingstone, 2013). Bandcamp Webpage: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/billsharkey Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billsharkeylive #billsharkey #Oldies #Acousticguitar #Vocals #coversongs Lyrics: Prince or pauper, beggar man or thing Play the game with ev'ry flower you bring Dandelion don't tell no lies Dandelion will make you wise Tell me if she laughs or cries Blow away dandelion One o'clock, two o'clock, three o'clock, four o'clock chimes Dandelions don't care about the time Dandelion don't tell no lies Dandelion will make you wise Tell me if she laughs or cries Blow away dandelion, blow away dandelion Tho' you're older now its just the same You can play this dandelion game When you're finished with your childlike prayers Well, you know you should wear it Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailors lives Rich man, poor man, beautiful, daughters wives Dandelion don't tell no lies Dandelion will make you wise Tell me if she laughs or cries Blow away dandelion, blow away dandelion Little girls, and boys come out to play Bring your dandelions to blow away Dandelion don't tell no lies Dandelion will make you wise Tell me if she laughs or cries Blow away dandelion, blow away dandelion