I saved one of the best from 1960 for last--this tune by Bobby Darin wound up at Number #33 on the Billboard Charts for that year. It lies right smack in Darin's prime years as a recording star, accomplished film actor and in-demand television personality.
His image changed a great deal, as did the world, during the 1960's. Darin became a more politcial guy, and less a "Las Vegas" guy for one thing, supporting Robert Kennedy and an end to the Vietnam War. But at this point in his career he was a black-tied celebrity playing Vegas and doing the Hollywood gig and dating and later marrying film ingenue Sandra Dee. (She's the blond lady in a lot of these photos.)
This song of course came from Charles Trenet's French classic "La Mer", but Darin's version has its own infectious style--a little bit less sophisticated and meloncholy, perhaps, but full of energy and mid-century American optimism! So without further ado, here we go:
Bobby Darin isn't he the guy who did "Roses Are Red My Love"...any way I like it..good stuff Doug
ReplyDeleteClose Mike...you're thinking of Bobby Vinton...glad you enjoyed this one!
ReplyDeleteI love this song. I also really enjoyed the movie, I think it had the same name, of his life and career.
ReplyDeleteBobby was a VERY sexy man!! lol
Thanks, Doug.
excatly..sorry about that...but here it is ...I love it
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a good movie Jacquie. Kevin Spacey is a very good actor and singer. It's a shame Bobby Darin himself wasn't around longer.
ReplyDeleteNo problem Mike. Thanks for posting "Roses are Red"...an excellent romantic ballad--one of several from that era.
ReplyDeleteAnother great pick here Doug, this song got just about equal airtime on BBC radio with the original La Mer when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteIn cinematic terms the mood contrast between those versions conjures up the difference between Hollywood box office hits of the 50s and early 60s on the one hand and Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut's New Wave French cinema on the other.
I haven't heard this version since I was about 7 ...thanks for the reminder Doug
Not exactly my speed with this one. I was never one for the "night Club" music. This was a genre I never got into. We will have to agree to disagree wit this one.Definitely before my time
ReplyDeleteWhen I was five years old, my Mom and I would dance to this tune; me standing on her feet....
ReplyDeleteThanks, Doug. Good memories....
I really like both versions, AA, so bravo to the BBC in those days.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great point,AA--the New Wave films I've seen like "Breathless" and "The 400 Blows" show life in a more raw term--as it is lived with a romantic side but tinged in grim reality. The Hollywood films were more geared to distraction, glib and hopefully witty dialogue and purer romance.
Glad I could bring this one back, AA. Thanks.
It's one of those that bring back memories for me, too, Will.
ReplyDeleteBut yours are absolutely charming. It's one of the great things about music from the past--so much comes back to us in a couple minutes. Thanks for sharing that.
I dig your honesty, you crazy cat!
ReplyDeletewouldn't that be crabby cat
ReplyDeleteI stand corrected Fred.
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