HAPPY NEW YEAR

On the occasion of the New Year, my wish is that we should put our hearts together and say Sawasdee Pee Mai (Thai New Year greeting). Let’s be happy the whole year round. New Year is here. Whatever is past, let it go. And whatever we want to keep let it remain in our heart.

To help celebrate the New Year, I have a contemporary New Year song sung in Thai by the most well known singer in Thailand, Thongchai MacIntyre. I hope you like it. I have put it in karaoke form in case you want to sing along, and have translated it roughly so you have an idea of what you are singing.

So, here we go with the Thai New Year song

Sawasdee Pee Mai
(Happy New Year)



สวัสดี สวัสดี สวัสดี สวัสดี
Sawasdee, Sawasdee, Sawasdee, Sawasdee
หนาวๆๆๆๆ
Nao-nao-nao-nao-nao
นั่งๆ นอนๆ ต้องห่มผ้าห่ม
Nung-nung-non-non-tong-hom-pa-hom
ใครไปภูกระดึงผิงไฟ
Krai-pai-Poo-Kadung-ping-fai
ดูๆๆๆๆ เห็นนาฬิกามันพาเราไป
Do-do-do-do-do-hen-na-li-ka-mun-pa-rao-pai
เราก็รีบตามไปก็แล้วกัน
Rao-gor-reap-tam-pai-gor-laew-gun

(Translation) Cold, cold, cold, cold, cold
If you are lazing around you must get under a blanket
Those going to Mount Poo Kradung must sit in front of a fire
Look, look, look, look, look at the clock
Wherever it goes, let’s hurry and keep up with it

ดีๆๆๆๆ
Dee-dee-dee-dee-dee
ถึงไงก็ดีกว่าอยู่เปล่าๆ
Tung-ngai-gor-dee-gwa-yoo-plao-plao
เอายังไงก็เอาไม่ว่ากัน
Auw-yang-ngai-gor-auw-mai-wah-gun
เห็นเขายิ้มเขาแย้มเขารักกันจังทุกเทศกาล
Hen-khao-yim-khao-yam-khao-rak-gun-jang-took-te-sa-karn
ก็อยากจะทักๆ กันซักนิดนึง
Gor-yark-ja-tak-tak-gun-sak-nid-nung

(Translation) Good, good, good, good, good
Anything is better than just lying around
Anything goes, and there’s no need to blame anyone
Look at people smile; they love each other at every festival
That’s why I want to greet them all

สวัสดี (สวัสดี) สวัสดีปีใหม่
Sawasdee-(sawasdee)–sawasdee-pee-mai
ใครรักใครให้ได้แต่งงานกัน
Krai-rak-krai-hai-dai-tang-ngarn-gun
สวัสดี (สวัสดี) สวัสดีชื่นบาน
Sawasdee-(sawasdee)-sawasdee-chuen-ban
รักกันไปนานๆ ไม่มีเบื่อ
Rak-gun-pai-nan-nan-mai-mee-buer

(Translation) Sawasdee, Sawasdee Pee Mai (Happy New Year)
Who loves whom, let’s pray that they can get married
Sawasdee, Sawasdee, be happy
Love each other for a long time, don’t ever be bored

ใครสบายๆ ขอให้สบายไม่หยุดไม่หย่อน
Krai-saba-sabai-kor-hai-sa-bai-mai-yood-mai-yon
ใครที่ไม่สบายให้หายดี
Krai-tee-mai-sa-bai-hai-hai-dee
มีคุณตาคุณยายร่มโพธิ์ร่มไทรดูแลดีๆ
Mee-khun-ta-khun-yai-rom-poh-rom-sai-doo-lae-dee-dee
ฝากกราบเท้าซักทีก็ชื่นใจ
Fag-krarb-tao-sak-tee-gor-chuen-jai

(Translation) Who are already happy, let them keep being happy forever
Who are ill, please make them well again
If you have a grandfather, a grandmother, you are lucky
Look after them well, and if you give them my regards I’ll be happy

ใครยังไม่มีงานขอให้มีงานเข้ามาเร็วๆ
Krai-yang-mai-mee-ngan-gor-hai-mee-ngan-kao-ma-reaw-reaw
ใครที่ไม่มีเอวก็แล้วไป
Krai-tee-mai-mee-eaw-kor-laew-pai
ใครค้าๆ ขายๆ ให้ได้ดีๆ ให้มีกำไร
Krai-ka-ka-kai-kai-hai-dai-dee-dee-hai-me-kam-rai
ว่างเมื่อไหร่หาใครให้ซักคน
Wang-muer-rai-ha-krai-hai-sak-khon

(Translation) Those who are unemployed, let there be jobs for them soon
Those who don’t have a waist just let them be
Those who sell things, let’s wish them much profit
When I’m free I’ll find them someone nice

สวัสดี (สวัสดี) สวัสดีปีใหม่
Sawasdee-(sawasdee)-sawasdee-pee-mai
เอาหัวใจมาสวัสดีกัน
Auw-hua-jai-ma-sawasdee-gun
สวัสดี (สวัสดี) สวัสดีชื่นบาน
Sawasdee-(sawasdee)-sawasdee-chuen-ban
ให้ชื่นใจนานๆ ทั้งปีเลย
Hai-chuen-jai-nan-nan-tung-pee-loey

(Translation) Sawasdee, Sawasdee Pee Mai,
Let’s put our hearts together and say Sawasdee
Sawasdee, Sawasdee let’s be happy the whole year round

ปีใหม่แล้ว ที่แล้วแล้วไป
Pee-mai-laew-tee-laew-laew-pai
มีเก็บไว้ กับใจของเราเอง
Mee-keb-wai-kab-jai-khong-rao-aing

(Translation) New Year is here. Whatever is past let it go
Whatever we want to keep, let it remain in our heart

สวัสดี (สวัสดี) สวัสดีปีใหม่
Sawasdee-(sawasdee)-sawasdee-pee-mai
เอาหัวใจมาสวัสดีกัน
Auw-hua-jai-ma-sawasdee-gun
สวัสดี (สวัสดี) สวัสดีชื่นบาน
Sawasdee-(sawasdee)-sawasdee-chuen-ban
ให้ชื่นใจนานๆ ทั้งปีเลย
Hai-chuen-jai-nan-nan-tung-pee-loey

(Translation) Sawasdee, Sawasdee Pee Mai,
Let’s put our hearts together and say Sawasdee
Sawasdee, Sawasdee let’s be happy the whole year round

สวัสดี (สวัสดี) สวัสดีปีใหม่
Sawasdee-(sawasdee)-sawasdee-pee-mai
ใครรักใครให้ได้แต่งงานกัน
Krai-rak-krai-hai-dai-tang-ngarn-kan
สวัสดี (สวัสดี) สวัสดีชื่นบาน
Sawasdee-(sawasdee)-sawasdee-chuen-ban
รักกันไปนานๆ ไม่มีเบื่อ
Rak-gun-pai-nan-nan-mai-mee-buer

(Translation) Sawasdee, Sawasdee Pee Mai (Happy New Year)
Who loves whom, let’s pray that they can get married
Sawasdee, Sawasdee, be happy
Love each other for a long time, don’t ever be bored

สวัสดี (สวัสดี) สวัสดีปีใหม่
Sawasdee-(sawasdee)-sawasdee-pee-mai
เอาหัวใจมาสวัสดีกัน
Auw-hua-jai-ma-sawasdee-gun
สวัสดี (สวัสดี) สวัสดีชื่นบาน
Sawasdee-(sawasdee)-sawasdee-chuen-ban
ให้ชื่นใจนานๆ ทั้งปีเลย
Hai-chuen-jai-nan-nan-tung-pee-loey

(Translation) Sawasdee, Sawasdee Pee Mai,
Let’s put our hearts together and say Sawasdee
Sawasdee, Sawasdee let’s be happy the whole year round

***************************************************************************************

WISHING  YOU  ALL  A  HAPPY  NEW  YEAR  FOR  2014

***************************************************************************************

Girl Happy

A romantic musical comedy
Starring
Elvis Presley & Shelley Fabares

I mentioned in my earlier blog that I became interested in songs and musical comedies way back at the age of 13-14 and living in Australia with my family. I was also one of the first persons in Australia to watch the first Elvis Presley film, G.I. Blues, and all the rest of Elvis’s films which came to our theatre. One of his films which I liked tremendously was a 1965 musical romantic comedy and beach party film, GIRL HAPPY, starring Elvis and the beautiful young actress Shelley Fabares and I should like to share some of the happy songs in the movie with you.

Let’s start first with the trailer of the movie so that you get a drift of the story.

(Trailer)

As you can see, GIRL HAPPY, directed by Boris Sagal and starring Elvis Presley and Shelley Fabares, is about a Chicago mobster who hires a rock and roll singer and his band to keep an eye on his daughter during Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This romantic comedy movie features the songs “Spring Fever”, "Puppet on a String", “Do the Clam” as well as seven other songs.

What I loved most about this film which won a fourth place prize Laurel Award in the category Top Musical of 1965, I remember, was the song “Spring Fever” which alternately showed Elvis and his friends driving towards Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the same time that Shelley Fabares and her friends were driving towards it to spend their holidays.

SPRING FEVER
Words & music by Giant - Baum - Kaye



Spring fever
Love is in the air
Spring is everywhere

A little bird, he told me so
He said come on, get on the go
Open your eyes the sky is full of butterflies
The blossoms on the trees stir up the honey bees
Spring makes my feet alive
Spring fever

Spring fever, Spring is here at last
Spring fever, my heart's beating fast

There is no doubt about it
Love is in the air
Get up, get out, spring is everywhere

Well if you feel the wanderlust
Just grab a car or hop a bus
In every town there's excitement to be found
So much is happening
Don't miss the joy of spring
The world's in love just look around

Spring fever comes to everyone
Spring fever, it's time for fun

There is no doubt about it
Spring is in the air
Get up, get out, spring is everywhere

Spring fever
It's spring fever time
Spring fever, watch that fever climb

There is no doubt about it
Love is in the air

Get up, get out spring is everywhere
Up, out, spring is everywhere

Shortly after GIRL HAPPY was released, Shelley Fabares gave an interview that while filming the scene on the speedboat when Elvis was singing a song called “Puppet On A String” to her, to tease her he kept on changing the words that made her laugh so much that the movie director had to re-shoot the scene. After many such retakes, she could see that the director was getting exasperated so in the next take, Shelley tried not to look directly at Elvis and successfully put her mind on other things. This scene on the boat, accompanied by Elvis’ singing, was one of the romantic highlights of the film for me. "Puppet on a String", written by Roy C. Bennett and Sid Tepper, reached #14 on America’s Billboard Hot 100,

PUPPET ON A STRING
Words & music by Tepper - Bennett



Every time you look at me
I'm as helpless as can be
I become a puppet on a string
You can do 'most anything with me

All you do is touch my hand
And your wish is my command
I become a puppet on a string
You can do 'most anything with me

If you really love me
Darling please be kind
I offer you the truest love
That you will ever find

Take my heart and please be fair
Handle it with loving care
For I'm just a puppet on a string
You can do 'most anything with me

If you really love me
Darling please be kind
I offer you the truest love
That you will ever find

Take my heart and please be fair
Handle it with loving care
For I'm just a puppet on a string
You can do 'most anything with me
You can do 'most anything with me

One of the hit songs in this movie, “Do the Clam", is a pop song written by Dolores Fuller, Sid Wayne, and Ben Weisman. In some parts of the world, it was released as a single, reaching No. 21 on Billboard in the United States. “Do the Clam", was very successful in Australia, where it reached No. 4. In the trailer, we could see young people joining Elvis and Shelley in this new dance on the beach.

DO THE CLAM
Words & music by Wayne - Weisman - Fuller



Hey, everybody gather round
Listen to that bongo sound
Grab the first one in your reach
Now we're going to shake the beach
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Do the Clam, do the Clam
Grab your barefoot baby by the hand
Turn and tease, hug and squeeze
Dig right in and do the Clam

You can get your heart to spin
On the outside looking in
Moon ain't gonna last all night
Well let's work up an appetite

Do the Clam, do the Clam
Grab your barefoot baby by the hand
Turn and tease, hug and squeeze
Dig right in and do the Clam

Everybody's got that beat
Well listen to those happy feet
Ain't you glad that you found out
What the Clam is all about

Do the Clam, do the Clam
Grab your barefoot baby by the hand
Turn and tease, hug and squeeze
Dig right in and do the Clam

Do the Clam, do the Clam
Grab your barefoot baby by the hand
Turn and tease, hug and squeeze
Dig right in and do the Clam
Dig right in and do the Clam

***********

Shelley Fabares

Before I end this blog, I should like to say that when I started to write it, I looked up some reference about beautiful Shelley Fabares with respect to this movie and found a video taped interview with host Frankie Verroca. Asked by Verroca what it was like to work with Elvis Presley, Shelley said it was absolutely fabulous, an extraordinary experience. She said Elvis was beautiful and had a charisma that was amazing. When he came into the room, everybody just stopped what they were doing and looked at him. On the set Shelley and Elvis just clicked and they had a fabulous time.

In 1962 Shelley Fabares' recording of "Johnny Angel" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. You may want to hear this lovely song “Johnny Angel” by Shelley.

JOHNNY ANGEL
Word & Music by Lee Pockriss, Lyn Duddy



*Johnny Angel ..
Johnny Angel ..
Johnny Angel ..
Johnny Angel ..
You're an angel to me

Johnny Angel
How I love him
He's got something that I can't resist
But he doesn't even know that I exist

Johnny Angel
How I want him
How I tingle when he passes by
Every time he says hello
My heart begins to fly

I'm in heaven
I get carried away
I dream of him and me
And how it's gonna be
Other fellas
Call me out for a date
But I just sit and wait, I'd rather concentrate

On Johnny Angel
'Cause I love him
And I pray that someday he'll love me
And together we will see how lovely heaven will be

I'm in heaven
I get carried away
I dream of him and me
And how it's gonna be
Other fellas
Call me out for a date
But I just sit and wait, I'd rather concentrate

On Johnny Angel
'Cause I love him
And I pray that someday he'll love me
And together we will see how lovely heaven will be

*Johnny Angel ..
Johnny Angel ..
Johnny Angel ..
Johnny Angel ..
You're an angel to me

**************

Elvis Presley

As for Elvis Presley, of course you all have heard of this King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, nicknamed Elvis the Pelvis because he would use dance moves in which he vigorously moved his legs and his knees. But, just as a record, here is a short profile on him.

Elvis Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. Born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis came from very humble beginnings and grew up to become one of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll. He was young and attractive, and had a great voice. He died at the age of 42 of heart failure.

Presley helped popularize rock 'n' roll music in America. He also won three Grammy Awards for his gospel recordings. Elvis' musical style was a combination of black Rhythm & Blues, country, blues, pop music of the day, and gospel. A major musical force, Presley had 18 No. 1 singles, including "Don't Be Cruel," "Good Luck Charm" and "Suspicious Minds" as well as countless gold and platinum albums. He had 24 Gold singles. Songs recorded by Elvis numbered 759.

In November 1956, he made his film debut in Love Me Tender, and went on to make 30 more films plus two concert performance documentaries. Some of his best films are King Creole, Flaming Star, and Jailhouse Rock.

DON’T BE CRUEL
Words & music by Otis Blackwell



You know I can be found,
Sitting home all alone,
If you can't come around,
At least please telephone.
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true.

Baby, if I made you mad
For something I might have said,
Please, let's forget the past,
The future looks bright ahead,
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true.
I don't want no other love,
Baby it's still you I'm thinking of.

Don't start hanging up,
Don't make me feel this way,
Come on over here and love me,
You know what I want you to say.
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true.
Why should we be apart?
I really love you baby, cross my heart.

Let's walk up to the preacher
And let us say I do,
Then you'll know you'll have me,
And I'll know that I'll have you,
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true.
I don't want no other love,
Baby it's just you I'm thinking of.

Don't be cruel to a heart that's true.
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true.
I don't want no other love,
Baby it's just you I'm thinking of.

****************

Wolverton Mountain

They say don't go on Wolverton Mountain
If you're looking for a wife
’Cause Clifton Clowers has a pretty young daughter
He's mighty handy with a gun and a knife
Her tender lips are sweeter than honey
And Wolverton Mountain protects her there

The bears and the birds tell Clifton Clowers
If a stranger should enter there
All of my dreams are on Wolverton Mountain
I want his daughter for my wife

I'll take my chances and climb that mountain
Though Clifton Clowers he might take my life
Her tender lips are sweeter than honey
And Wolverton Mountain protects her there

The bears and the birds tell Clifton Clowers
If a stranger should wander there

I'm going up on Wolverton Mountain
It's too lonesome down here below
It's just not right to hide his daughter
From the one who loves her so

Her tender lips are sweeter than honey
And Wolverton Mountain protects her there

The bears and the birds tell Clifton Clowers
If a stranger should wander there

I don't care about Clifton Clowers
I'm gonna climb up on his mountain
I'm gonna take the girl I love
I don't care about Clifton Clovers
I'm gonna climb up on that mountain
And I'll get the one I love
I don't care about Clifton Clovers

In the previous blog, I talked about my love for songs of bygone days and today I would like you to accompany me on a nostalgic trip down memory lane to explore a song called Wolverton Mountain which was a big hit during the Sixties.

But first of all, I hope you have clicked into the above link and been transported through times into this memorable and haunting song which tells the story of a young man who wants to climb up Wolverton Mountain to get to the daughter of Clifton Clowers and make her his wife? He doesn’t seem to be afraid of his future father-in-law either although Clifton Clowers has the reputation of being handy with a gun and a knife and will be warned of the young man’s visit by the birds and the bears who are keeping their eyes on Clifton’s daughter, the young girl whose tender lips are sweeter than honey, whenever Clifton leaves her alone at the mountain cottage while he is away.

This is another song which is constantly being sung by me and has been in my heart ever since it climbed up to the top of the Australian charts in the year 1962 while I was studying in Australia and remained there for many weeks. During the same time this song spent nine weeks at the top of the US Billboard country chart where it stayed for 26 weeks.

Wanting to know more about the history of the song and the singer, I googled them and learned that the song was based on a real character Clifton Clowers, veteran of World War I and Deacon in Mountain View Baptist Church who lived on a farm located on the northern edge of Woolverton Mountain in Arkansas. Clowers became famous when his nephew, Merle Kilgore Clowers together with American singer/songwriter Claude King wrote this song with Clifton Clowerst being featured as the main character.

American country music singer and songwriter Claude King was best known for the million selling 1962 hit "Wolverton Mountain” although he also performed in movies. King joined a television and radio show which was broadcast throughout the United States and in the United Kingdom and was frequently on the same programs with such popular singers as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Slim Whitman, Johnny Horton, Jim Reeves, as well as many others. He died at the age of ninety and is survived by his wife and three sons.

Here is a live performance of Wolverton Mountain by Claude King in his later years.

L O V E: Love is Me, Love is You

**OH, BABY
L – Looking there there’s none
O – Over here not seen
V – Very hard to find
E – Oh what’s this thing called love?
It’s really what I want as mine

They say love is looking deep into each other’s eyes
Love is just walking along side by side
Oh, love is me
Oh, love is you

**OH, BABY
L – Looking there there’s none
O – Over here not seen
V – Very hard to find
E – Oh what’s this thing called love?
It’s really what I want as mine

Will you help me, please?
Want to love once, can’t you see?
IN LOVE, when I’m that, then I’ll start to sing L.O.V.E.

**OH, BABY
L – Looking there there’s none
O – Over here not seen
V – Very hard to find
E – Oh what’s this thing called love?
It’s really what I want as mine

Love will bring out happiness whenever we meet
Always thinking of each other when we cannot greet
Oh, wanna see you
oh, missing you

**OH, BABY
L – Looking there there’s none
O – Over here not seen
V – Very hard to find
E – Oh, what’s this thing called love?
It’s really what I want as mine

(Unofficial translation from a Thai song L O V E - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdEmeyU9N8Y)

The sound of this once very popular Thai song recently revived as a soundtrack for a Thai television comedy makes me realize how much music has been part of my life.

Ever since I was young, I was surrounded by both Thai and foreign songs. The first foreign song I remember and love is one my father used to sing to my mother, my sister and me whenever we were out riding at the back of a chauffeur-driven limousine, me with my head on my father’s shoulder while he smoked a cigar, blowing smoke rings out through the car window. It’s a song called “On a Bicycle Built for Two” by Nat King Cole, and some of you may know it:

Daisy, Daisy
Give me your answer do
I'm half crazy
All for the love of you

It won't be a stylish marriage
I can't afford a carriage
But you'll look sweet
Upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two

Daisy, Daisy
Give me your answer do
I'm half crazy
All for the love of you

We’ll spend all our lives together
Regardless of the weather
And you’ll look sweet
Upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two

Daisy, Daisy
Give me your answer do
I'm half crazy
All for the love of you

We’ll leave when the ball is over
Get married in the clover
And you’ll look sweet
Upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78MKBHR3NbU)

Throughout my early teenage years I heard and learned to love foreign songs and I think that singing along with popular songs by Elvis, Cliff and The Beatles might be how I became attached to and became quite adept in the English language. My father was posted to a diplomatic service in Australia when I was just 11 and my sister was 12½ years old. After two years in a boarding school in Goulburn, I returned to Canberra to be with the rest of my family, and started a round of movie-watching with my dear sister. As money flowed freely during those days, our Friday nights were spent at the movies, usually watching musical movies such as Get Yourself a College Girl, Seven Brides for the Seven Brothers, Pollyanna and EVERY Elvis Presley movies. In fact, I can recall our first Elvis Presley movie which we were not really thinking of watching but were trying to buy movie tickets for, I think, Pollyanna. There was a long line of teenagers in front of the ticket booths and my sister and I were saying how strange that was, because Pollyanna was supposed to be on its way out of the movie house. It was only after we got in and found Elvis singing “Frankfurt Special” to his G.I. friends on a train on its way to Frankfurt that we became excitedly aware that we were one of the first people to be watching the first Elvis movie, G.I. Blues. How lucky we were! I can’t remember now, but I am sure that if we did not unknowingly buy the movie tickets for G.I. Blues that first day, then we would have had to wait many more weeks before getting to see it.

Talking about musical movies and songs, I can feel my enthusiasm rising. As I said above, throughout my teenage years I lived with songs featuring pop singers such as Elvis Presley, Cliff Richards, Ricky Nelson, Bobby Rydell and Chubby Checker. Then came the advent of The Beatles and Beatlemania and my heart was lost to the little boy lost look of George Harrison and The Beatles music.

Now that we are all grown up and back in Thailand, I find that my love for songs and musical films is still growing strong. Music as the cure for all ailments is my belief and I should like to share with you some interesting backgrounds of singers of bygone days together with their songs.

So, till my next post

Cheerio!