Today we feature another song with gems or jewelry in the title. It’s “Diamonds and Rust” – a classic performed by legendary American folk singer Joan Baez.
The song was written in 1975 as a bittersweet tribute to her romance with the equally legendary Bob Dylan in the early ’60s. This track became only her second top 40 hit in the U.S., reaching No. 11 on the Billboard charts. Her other hit came four years earlier with “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”
In this song, “that crummy hotel over Washington Square” refers to the Hotel Earle, where Baez and Dylan lived for a while. Once a destination hotel, the Earle took a downward turn in the ’60s and became an apartment hotel popular with starving artists, according to SongFacts.com. Famous occupants included the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Barbra Streisand and Bill Cosby. It is now called the Washington Square Hotel.
Here are the lyrics if you’d like to sing along. Enjoy!
DIAMONDS AND RUST
(Words and Music by Joan Baez)
Well I’ll be damned
Here comes your ghost again
But that’s not unusual
It’s just that the moon is full
And you happened to call
And here I sit
Hand on the telephone
Hearing a voice I’d known
A couple of light years ago
Heading straight for a fall
As I remember your eyes
Were bluer than robin’s eggs
My poetry was lousy you said
Where are you calling from?
A booth in the midwest
Ten years ago
I bought you some cufflinks
You brought me something
We both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust
Well you burst on the scene
Already a legend
The unwashed phenomenon
The original vagabond
You strayed into my arms
And there you stayed
Temporarily lost at sea
The Madonna was yours for free
Yes the girl on the half-shell
Would keep you unharmed
Now I see you standing
With brown leaves falling around
And snow in your hair
Now you’re smiling out the window
Of that crummy hotel
Over Washington Square
Our breath comes out white clouds
Mingles and hangs in the air
Speaking strictly for me
We both could have died then and there
Now you’re telling me
You’re not nostalgic
Then give me another word for it
You who are so good with words
And at keeping things vague
Because I need some of that vagueness now
It’s all come back too clearly
Yes I loved you dearly
And if you’re offering me diamonds and rust
I’ve already paid
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Today we pay tribute to one of the grooviest pop stars who ever lived. Davy Jones, the lead singer of The Monkees, passed away on Wednesday Feb. 29th at the age of 66. For millions of baby boomers, many of their joyous childhood memories were forever cast in a shadow when they learned that their teen crush, the cutest of The Monkees, was gone.
Jones, with his neat British accent and boyish good looks, rose to fame as The Monkees hit the scene in 1966. Originally conceived for a television series that aired from 1966 to 1968, The Monkees featured Americans Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Englishman Jones. Their albums and singles have sold more than 65 million copies worldwide.
In this video, we see Jones performing lead vocals for “Daydream Believer.” The single was a No. 1 hit in December 1967, as it topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for four weeks. It was The Monkees’ last number one hit in the U.S.
“Daydream Believer”
Performed by The Monkees: Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork. Songwriter: John Stewart
Oh, I could hide ‘neath the wings of the bluebird as she sings
The six o’clock alarm would never ring
But it rings and I rise wipe the sleep out of my eyes
The shavin’ razor’s cold, and it stings
Cheer up, sleepy Jean, oh what can it mean
To a daydream believer and a homecoming queen?
You once thought of me as a white knight on his steed
Now you know how happy I can be
Oh, and our good times start and end without dollar one to spend
But how much baby do we really need?
Cheer up, sleepy Jean, oh what can it mean
To a daydream believer and a homecoming queen?
Cheer up, sleepy Jean, oh what can it mean
To a daydream believer and a homecoming queen?
Cheer up, sleepy Jean, oh what can it mean
To a daydream believer and a homecoming queen?
Cheer up, sleepy Jean, oh what can it mean
To a daydream believer and a homecoming queen?
Cheer up, sleepy Jean, oh what can it mean
To a daydream believer and a homecoming queen?
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Let’s head into the work week with a romantic ballad called “Diamond Ring” by Bon Jovi, the forever-young rock band from New Jersey featuring lead singer Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora. Jon reveals in the intro of this video that, despite being one of their favorite songs, “Diamond Ring” was bumped from two albums – “New Jersey” (1988) and “Keep the Faith” (1992) – before finally making the cut in 1995 in “These Days.”
Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi has released 15 albums, sold 130 million records, performed more than 2,600 concerts in 50+ countries and has drawn a total attendance of 34 million fans. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009.
Diamond Ring
Songwriters: Desmond Child, Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi
Diamond ring wear it on your hand
It’s gonna tell the world I’m your only man
Diamond ring, diamond ring
Baby you’re my everything diamond ring
Red red rose brought it home to you
Blood red rose tells me that you’re true
Red red rose, blood red rose
Like a fire inside that grows blood red rose
When you’re hungry I will fill you up
If you’re thirsty drink out of my loving cup
When you’re crying I’ll be the tears for you
There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do for you
And when you’re hungry I will fill you up
If you’re thirsty drink out of my loving cup
When you’re crying I’ll be the tears for you
There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do
You know I bleed every night you sleep
‘Cause I don’t know if I’m in your dreams
I want to be your everything
Diamond ring wear it on your hand
It’s gonna tell the world I’m your only man
Diamond ring diamond ring
Baby you’re my everything diamond ring
You’re my queen and I’m your king diamond ring
Now you’ve got me on your stringShe wears a diamond ring
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Today, let’s enjoy the powerful vocals of Martina McBride as she performs the 1997 hit, “Valentine.” Co-written by Jim Brickman and Jack Kugell, “Valentine” first appeared on Brickman’s album Picture This and later on McBride’s album Evolution.
The song reached #3 on the Adult Contemporary charts and #50 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1997. The song was also a cross-over hit, as it climbed to #9 on the Hot Country Songs chart in 1998.
Both McBride and Brickman have gone on to enjoy stellar careers. McBride has been called the “Celine Dion of Country Music” and has sold 14 million albums. She was also named “Female Vocalist of the Year” four times by the Country Music Association (tied for the most ever with Reba McIntire).
Jim Brickman, a songwriter and pianist, is credited with being the “most charted male Adult Contemporary artist.” His signature style has brought him six Gold and Platinum albums, 30 charted adult radio hits, and two Grammy nominations.
“Valentine”
Performed by Martina McBride (feat. Jim Brickman)
Written by Jim Brickman and Jack Kugell
If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you
If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I’d still feel for you
And even if the sun refuse to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart
Until the end of time
You’re all I need
My love, my Valentine
All of my life
I have been waiting for
All you give to me
You’ve opened my eyes
And showed me how to love unselfishly
I’ve dreamed of this a thousand times before
In my dreams I couldn’t love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time
You’re all I need
My love, my Valentine
La da da
Da da da da
And even if the sun refuse to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart
Until the end of time
Cuz all I need
Is you, my Valentine
You’re all I need
My love, my Valentine
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It’s Music Monday. Let’s enjoy a nostalgic break in our busy day with Seals and Crofts’ live version of “Diamond Girl” from 1973. In this clip from the Midnight Special television show, Texans Jim Seals and Dash Crofts harmonize about their Diamond Girl, who’s “like a precious stone.” The hit song ascended to #6 on the Billboard charts in 1973, one of three Seals and Crofts songs to curiously stall at #6. The others were “Summer Breeze” from 1972 and “Get Closer” from 1976. The romantic lyrics for “Diamond Girl” are below…
DIAMOND GIRL
(lyrics by James Seals; music by James Seals & Dash Crofts)
Diamond Girl, you sure do shine. Glad I found you, glad you’re mine.
Oh my love, you’re like a precious stone, part of earth where heaven has rained on.
Makes no difference where you are. Day or nighttime, you’re like a shinin’ star.
And how could I shine without you, when it’s about you that I am?
Diamond Girl, roamin’ wild. Such a rare thing, radiant child.
I could never find, another one like you. Part of me is deep down inside you.
Can’t you feel the whole world a-turin’. We are real, and we are a-burnin’.
Diamond Girl, now that I’ve found you, it’s about you that I am.
Diamond Girl, you sure do shine. Diamond Girl, you sure do shine.
Diamond Girl, you sure do shine. Diamond Girl, you sure do shine.
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Welcome to Music Monday. Today we present Beverley Knight, who is widely known in Britain as one of its greatest soul singers. Here she performs “Gold,” a song she wrote in 2002. “Gold” was the third single released from her studio album, Who I Am, and peaked at #27 on the British music charts. The lyrics focus on how to recognize and appreciate real quality.
“Gold”
Written and performed by Beverley Knight
Some people never recognize it
Though it’s right before their eyes
And shines in all it’s glory
They never ever see
They choose something that looks just like it
And it may glitter all the time
But gold it will never be
I guess you never held on to quality
Or you woulda recognized by now
Something so special so true
When it’s standing right in front of you
I’m gold babe
Catch me in the slipstream
Passing by the fools who just don’t know
Pure gold babe
You’re looking at the real thing
If you knew my worth you wouldn’t let go [x2]
Oh no!
Gold lies in rivers undiscovered
Hidden from the sight of those
Who don’t know what to look for
(they ain’t never gonna find it)
Sometimes the value is uncovered
Other times it’s cast aside
By those who are just unsure
I guess you never held on to quality
Or you would of recognized by now
Something so special so true
When she’s standing right in front of you
[chorus]
All the things you failed to see
Separated you from me
I decide who wins my time
And who comes inside yeah
Cause what is true and what is real
Finds a way of being revealed
I don’t have to even try
Cause I’m certified… pure
Recorded in 1960, “She Wears My Ring” is performed here by the immortal Elvis Presley and is said to be one of his greatest love songs. The video slideshow gives an intimate look at The King and his bride, Priscilla, who were married in May 1967 at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. A cultural icon, Presley passed away in August 1977. His rendition of “She Wears My Ring” is based on the Mexican song, La Golondrina, which was composed by Narciso Serradel Sevilla. The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
She Wears My Ring
Words & music by Boudleaux & Felice Bryant
She wears my ring to show the world that she belongs to me
She wears my ring to show the world she’s mine eternally
With loving care I placed it on her finger
To show my love for all the world to see
This tiny ring is a token of tender emotion
An endless pool of love that’s as deep as the ocean
She swears to wear it with eternal devotion
That’s why I sing, because she wears my ring
With Loving care I placed it on her finger
To show my love for all the world to see
This tiny ring is a token of tender emotion
An endless pool of love that’s as deep as the ocean
She swears to wear it with eternal devotion
That’s why I sing, because she wears my ring
That’s why I sing, because she wears my ring
Here’s the title song to one of the great James Bond movies of all time – “Goldfinger.” It’s 1964 and the incomparable Shirley Bassey sings about international gold smuggler Auric Goldfinger, who has the unfortunate habit of gilding his victims.
Bond’s mission takes him to Fort Knox, where Goldfinger and his henchman plan to increase the value of his gold by setting off a small nuclear bomb, rendering the U.S. gold supply radioactive for 58 years. The blockbuster movie was immortalized on the cover of Life magazine with an image of gold-painted Bond girl Shirley Eaton as Jill Masterson.
The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
“Goldfinger”
Composed by John Barry
Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Sung by Shirley Bassey
Goldfinger.
He’s the man, the man with the midas touch.
A spider’s touch.
Such a cold finger.
Beckons you to enter his web of sin
But don’t go in.
Golden words he will pour in your ear,
But his lies can’t disguise what you fear,
For a golden girl knows when he’s kissed her,
It’s the kiss of death from
Mister Goldfinger.
Pretty girl beware of this heart of gold
This heart is cold.
Golden words he will pour in your ear,
But his lies can’t disguise what you fear,
For a golden girl knows when he’s kissed her,
It’s the kiss of death from
Mister Goldfinger.
Pretty girl beware of this heart of gold
This heart is cold.
He loves only gold,
Only gold.
He loves gold.
He loves only gold,
Only gold.
He loves gold.
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Here’s another blast from the past. It’s Freda Payne singing “Band of Gold,” a pop smash hit from 1970 that reached #3 on the U.S. charts and #1 in the U.K. The song tells the story of a newlywed couple whose honeymoon is a disaster.
The song has been covered by numerous artists, including 1986 versions by Belinda Carlisle and Bonnie Tyler, but none of the newer renditions have ever matched the brilliance or popularity of the original.
The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
Band of Gold
Performed by Freda Payne
Written by Eddie Holland, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Ronald Dunbar
Now that you’re gone
All that’s left is a band of gold
All that’s left of the dream I hold
Is a band of gold
And the memories of what love could be
If you are still here with me
You took me from the shelter of a mother I had never known
Who loved any other
We kissed after taking vows
But that night on our honeymoon
We stayed in separate rooms
I wait in the darkness of my lonely room
Filled with sadness, filled with gloom
Hoping soon that you’ll walk
Back through that door
And love me like you tried before
Since you’ve been gone
All that’s left is a band of gold
All that’s left of the dream I hold
Is a band of gold
And the dream of what love could be
If you are still here with me
Ooh, don’t you know that I wait in the darkness of my lonely room
Filled with sadness, filled with gloom
Hoping soon that you’ll walk
Back through that door
And love me like you tried before
Since you’ve been gone
All that’s left is a band of gold
All that’s left of the dream I hold
Is a band of gold
And the dream of what love could be
If you are still here with me
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Here’s a piece of nostalgia from 1965. It’s a video of Gary Lewis and the Playboys singing one of the great “jewelry-related” songs of all time — “This Diamond Ring.” The song went to number 1 on the music charts and propelled the group to stardom. Here’s a piece of trivia: Gary Lewis is the son of comedian Jerry Lewis. Enjoy the throw-back black and white production quality. The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
This Diamond Ring
Gary Lewis and the Playboys
Written by Al Kooper, Irwin Levine and Bob Brass
Who wants to bu-u-uy this diamond ri-i-i-ing?
She took it off her finger, now it doesn’t mean a thi-i-i-ng
This diamond ring doesn’t shine for me anymore
And this diamond ring doesn’t mean what it meant before
So if you’ve got someone whose love is tru-u-ue
Let it shine for yo-ou-ou
This stone is genuine like love should be-e-e-e
And if your baby’s truer than my baby was to me-e-e-e
This diamond ring can mean something beautiful
And this diamond ring can mean dreams that are coming true
And then your heart won’t have to break like mine did
If there’s love behind it
[Instrumental]
This diamond ring can mean something beautiful
And this diamond ring can mean dreams that are coming true
And then your heart won’t have to break like mine did
If there’s love behind it
This diamond ring doesn’t shine for me anymore
And this diamond ring doesn’t mean what it meant before
FADE
So if you’ve got someone whose love is tru-u-ue
Let it shine for yo-ou-ou
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Where Quality, Value, and Service is a family tradition. Our Friendly knowledgeable sales associates are always available to assist you. For over 83 years, White Jewelers has been a name that you can rely on and trust. 211 East Liberty Street
Wooster, OH 44691
330-264-3324
