ordinary pop songs and why they're great.

Sunday, November 16, 2003

 
Alfie

Oh my god how can this have not yet made an appearance?!! I suppose it doesn't fit the brief because it's not a crap song redeemed by one good bit or anything like that but it's "an important song" so it's in!

And it's in as a song, regardless of who by. Let's be honest it's a song by Bacharach & David but rendition wise the only one I have reference to is, for better or for worse, by our Cilla. And she doesn't make a bad fist of it but then the arrangement is just soooo good. That little piano run, the barely there drum as it builds after the opening. The sung melody, especially once we get to "as sure as I believe.."etc. And then we have the lyrics! They knock you over with their truth and then put you on your feet. How many times has the mere singing of this song (out loud, start to finish) righted my little Scalextric car of a soul when it's come off the tracks?

There really should be a room somewhere full of people who are given to wonder "What's it all about?", which is certainly up there with the big boys as questions go. Never mind "Sit Down" by James or (aaaaagh) "Life" by Des'ree, "Alfie" shall be playing in that room and maybe, just maybe we'd all be smiling by the end.