Tuesday Tunes 265: Light

Posted on by

Now that the weather here has returned to our usual summer – dull, drizzly and not too hot – it seems about time for a change of theme. I promised you last time that I’d be doing something different this week, and I’ve chosen to play some songs which have light in their titles. Just that word, no derivatives like lights, moonlight, daylight, lightning, just a simple light. I already have a list which is too much for one week so, as usual, I will be spreading this out a bit. And, as usual, I’m open to any suggestions you may care to make for other songs.

There’s only one place I could really start, isn’t there:

I first played The Doors and Light My Fire several years ago for one of my Bonfire Night posts, and it has made a return visit there but never before for Tuesday Tunes, so I’m counting this as a debut (my site, my rules!). It was first released in January 1967 on the band’s imaginatively titled debut album, The Doors, which peaked at #2 in the US (4x Platinum) but only made it to #43 here in the UK (still 2x Platinum, though). The first single taken from the album – Break On Through – disappointed in chart terms but things took off for the band when this became their second single in April of that year: it got to #1 in the US and France, #2 in Canada, and #7 in the UK, selling 2m in the States alone, and 200,000 here. For me, it’s an iconic song, made all the more so by Jim Morrison’s early passing. Others, notably Jose Feliciano, have released slower versions of the song but the original still wins hands down for me.

For this first set of light songs I’m playing three you will know and two you probably won’t. I’m alternating them, so after one you will have known here’s one you won’t:

I played another song by Elles Bailey just a couple of weeks ago, and as she was well-liked by most I thought I’d give you another of hers. Leave The Light On is one of the tracks on her most recent album, Beneath The Neon Glow, which was released in August 2024 and made #12 in the UK Albums Chart in its first week, thanks to a great campaign generating advance sales. I’ve told her story before and if you missed it I shared it again in episode 263, so I won’t repeat myself today. Suffice it to say that I’m a huge fan of Elles and her music! I love the video too: those superb dancers are Antonia Latz and Lyndon J E Dasilva.

Now for another of the well known ones, though you may not have heard this recent version before:

The unmistakeable voice of John Fogerty with Long As I Can See The Light. This was, as I’m sure you know, a Creedence Clearwater Revival song, but John is doing a Taylor Swift with some of his back catalogue. This Friday will see the release of Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years, for which he has re-recorded twenty classic CCR tracks, backed by his sons Shane and Tyler. Including this one, seven of the tracks have been pre-released and they all sound great – pretty impressive for a guy who turned 80 three months ago. And I really like this newly minted video too: it is very evocative of the passing of time with important people in our lives.

It’s the turn of one of the lesser known ones next. This will probably come as something of a surprise to you, as the singer came to fame by virtue of representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022, finishing second – our best performance for years! Normally I avoid that event like the plague, as I don’t go in for camp and OTT pop performances, but I’ve been worn down on him. One of my best blogging friends, the lovely Willow, is a huge fan of his, and has played so many of his songs on her blog that, to my great surprise, I found myself liking him. He still comes across sometimes (always?) like an over-enthusiatic puppy, but the guy has real talent. This is Sam Ryder, with a track from his sole album to date, and this one’s for you, Willow:

That was Put A Light On Me, from Sam’s debut album There’s Nothing But Space, Man! which was released in December 2022 and made #1 in the UK Albums Chart in its first week, as part of a ten week stay. This track was also released as a single, but only made #92 in our Downloads Chart. It’s still a very good song, and I’m pleased that Willow managed to convert me to Sam’s music. His new album, Heartland, is scheduled for release in October and I’m looking forward to it.

I’m closing this week with a long time favourite of mine. This is probably the version you will know, though it is in fact a cover. The original was by Bruce Springsteen, but this is Manfred Mann’s Earth Band:

Blinded By The Light was the opening track on Roaring In The Silence, the seventh album by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, which was released in August 1976 and peaked at #10 in both the UK and the US. The album version – the one the band is playing here – was seven minutes long but a trimmed down piece, at just under four minutes, was released as a single the same month and went to #1 in the US and Canada, also making #6 in the UK. It is one that I’ve always liked but, strangely enough, never bought. But Apple Music came along ten years ago to plug that gap, and of course I already had the Springsteen version!

That’s all for today, and as I said earlier I’ll be running another set of light songs next week, so if I’ve missed out a favourite of yours I apologise – but do please tell me in the comments! I may already have it on my list, but then again I may not…

And just because I can, here’s my first attempt at using ChatGPT. It’s kind of light-related, and if only I had more moments like this:

 

 

I’ll see you again in a few days, but until then I hope you enjoy your week. Take care 😊

 

68 thoughts on “Tuesday Tunes 265: Light”

  1. Pingback: My August | Take It Easy

  4. Another excellent playlist, Clive! I especially enjoyed John Fogerty’s remake with his sons. The man does sound amazing, still. CCR songs are part of my life’s soundtrack, as are The Doors. And thanks for introducing me to Elles Bailey in a previous post. Her voice is wonderful too!

    Got a chuckle from your Einstein quote at the top, and you did a nice job with your first AI image. 😀

    Here’s one I thought of:

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you, Debbie, I’m pleased you enjoyed them, especially Elles, who I think is fantastic.

      I’m not entirely sure that Einstein actually said that 🤣

      I see so many images generated like that so I thought I’d try it. It’s frighteningly easy!

      Thank you for the tip. You’re the second to suggest that one, and I managed to get about half way through it. I still haven’t forgiven them for massacring Sound Of Silence 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • I still haven’t forgiven them for massacring Sound Of Silence

        Wow! 😲 We’re of opposite opinions there, Clive. To me, Disturbed’s version of “Sound of Silence” is one of the most profound, emotion-inducing songs I’ve ever heard. It gives me chills and I love it! 💖 Same with Metallica’s remake of “Turn the Page”. Different strokes for different folks, as they say…✌️

        Liked by 1 person

  5. A couple here that I didn’t know Clive, but liked them both, particularly the John Fogerty song and the thoughtful video that really compliments the song. Like the Elles Bailey track – I am in the market for a new sofa and the video has given me a few ideas on what to do/not to do on it!

    The Manfred version of Blinded By The Light is the record that first got me curious about Springsteen. And I bought it, however as Bruce later pointed out not sure why they use the word douche instead of deuce.

    But nice choices as always..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks, Paul, I’m pleased you liked these, even if one of them is more relevant to a sofa purchase!

      I’ve always thought that change of words was odd, too. Maybe it was just his accent, or that they didn’t think British audiences would recognise ‘deuce’ as ‘two,’ and might have thought it a tennis reference!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. fun post today and I love the blinded by the light song – Mann’s version!
    it is not on a playlist but when it comes on the radio – I let it play and enjoy its highs and lows – such a jam and great to close out this post.

    I agree with the “unmistakeable voice of John Fogerty” and hard to believe he is 80! so cool

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. I think most people liked Blinded by the Light better than I did back in the day. It was a bit too repetitive for my tastes, but not a bad tune. The other four score high. I know you like CCR and Fogerty more than I do, but this one is quite good. The two new ones were both excellent.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Great start on Light songs, Clive. Enjoyed them all – enjoyed ‘meeting’ Sam Ryder and Elles Bailey.

    Just in case, and for your consideration, how about The Smiths’ There Is a Light That Never Goes Out; Linkin Park’s One More Light; and Journey’s Lights.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. Great songs this morning, Clive, and pleased (not to mention surprised) to hear Sam Ryder in your grouping. I enjoyed the new sound of Elles Bailey; she has a very likable and powerful voice. I didn’t care for the video, however; there was so movement by Bailey and the other two performers, I found it distracting. Extra thanks for playing the far-superior version of “Blinded by The Light” by Manfred Mann. Good Tuesday to you; I await Colette.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  18. Every one of these is a winner! The old favorites, and I really liked the new ones I’d not heard before. Elles is so good, and loved that video with the dancing partners. And of course Sam’s song was so good too, I always love hearing him sing. I’m saving those two to my favorite folder. … If you need another ‘light’ song, here’s one of my favorites, it is “The Light” by Disturbed. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • That’s great to hear, Barbara – I’m pleased and it’s good to know those two will be among your favourites now.

      Thanks for your suggestion, I’ll take a listen but I’m not hopeful: I’ve never really listened to them since they massacred Sound Of Silence!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  20. Absolutely loved every track this all were brilliant….The Doors, enough said.

    Elles Bailey you returned the favour and converted me to her style live her now. Plus a lot of other groups!

    John Fogerty and his sons …just brilliant I am a huge fan of him and CCR. You’re right a beautiful video.

    Sam well my biggest triumph I thought I would never even get you to listen to him…but eventually I wore you down… Thank you for the mention and playing that song for me because it’s a special one!

    Your finally was EPIC Manfred Man that song is wonderful and I take my hat off to Boss who did the original version.

    Thank you Clive 💜🌞🌞

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I’m glad you loved all of these, Willow, and I’m grateful to you for winning me over with Sam. And it’s great that this worked both ways with you now liking Elles.

      I enjoyed putting this set together and am pleased it scored so well with you 👍

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Please leave a reply, I'd like to know what you think