This week’s musing lets me drift off in astronomical directions. With the much ballyhooed total eclipse of the sun coming up on Monday, I think that it’s time, however, to seek out and place the blame on the culprit!
And, after intensive research on the internet (and in my collection of songbooks), I believe I have the the answer. It’s the moon getting in the way! Bad, bad, guilty, jealous moon!
Moving on . . . I’m not one to belittle the opinions of those who believe our moon to be a big rock rolling around in our sky. I would be remiss not to report my scientific findings–1) The moon is NOT made of green cheese, and 2) The Moon is actually made of PAPER! Thus leading me to say . . .
. . . there’s a song about that!
“It’s Only a Paper Moon” is one of those befuddled-lover songs of the jazz age when moon- and star-light set the scene for what, I am sure, was innocent romance. This song plays on this as the singer begs his or her sweetie to “believe.” Our song was published in 1933 with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose.
Also, for some reason beyond my rudimentary research skills, a seat in the form of an artificial moon (probably plywood rather than paper) was often used in those days as a prop on the vaudeville stage and in photo studios. Click or tap on the triangle in the next image for further proof of this, and to hear the earliest recording of our song.
Whether or not these lunar seating devices had anything to do with our song or the dozens of other “Moon” songs that were hits of the day, who knows. What fun we had in the days before we were possessed by screens and selfies and a “moon shot” could be had in your local dimestore photo booth!
Needless to say, more enduring recordings that assured the song’s place in the Great American Songbook were made in the 1940s by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, and a slew of others. For a New England tune . .
. . . click or tap on the triangle in the next image.
So, here’s to the many folks who took a ride on a paper moon, under a cardboard sky and left us wondering. The moon–a culprit, or a cliche?
And, finally, a movie version of the prelude to a historic solar eclipse. From this we can learn the “magic words” and we can try it ourselves! Click or tap on the triangle in the next image for a peek.
Alas, I digress. I’ve been sidetracked by the lunar vs. solar shenanigans of the day, but I’ll wind up this musical musing with a couple of songs that actually do play on the ECLIPSE theme.
“Total Eclipse of the Heart” was recorded by the Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler back in 1982. It’s a bit of a stretch, being more “heart” than “solar.” But, why not make a place for it in this musing? Click or tap on the triangle in the next image for a look and listen to her Grammy Award nominated performance.
Now here’s a second song, one that actually touches (ever so briefly, however) on a Solar Eclipse. Woo hoo! “You’re So Vain” is a song written and performed by American singer and songwriter Carly Simon. Click or tap on the triangle in the next image for a look and listen to what was nominated as the Song of the Year in 1972.
Now, get your eclipse glasses on . . .
. . . and take a well-shaded peek at what used to be the sun and remember who the defacing culprit is. You learned it here!
But, the moon will move on and the sun will comes back stronger than ever! STAY TUNED!
NOHOBANJO OF NORTHAMPTON, AND NOW EASTHAMPTON, "MUSICAL MUSINGS" 