August 1: It starts right here… “Belmont Avenue” from A Bronx Tale. If all goes as planned, I’ll be at the matinee today watching my former student Adam Kaplan in this show (thanks to my amazing sister & mom for getting me tickets)! #proudteacher @AdamSKaplan LYRICS SPOTIFY
August 2: All your dreams are on their way… “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkle. HB to our wonderful principal, Mr. Cazzetta; we’re glad to have you on our side when times get rough. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 3: It’s my birthday and I want to let the music play… “Listen To The Music” written by Tom Johnston and performed by The Doobie Brothers. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 4: Reach for the heavens and hope for the future… “The Eagle and The Hawk” by John Denver and in memory of my grandfather Al Klayman who loved his daughters, his sons-in-law, his grandchildren and especially his wife. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 5: You have come and it has changed my whole world… “So Amazing” written and sung by Luther Vandross. Every year on the first Sunday in August, riders in the Pan Mass Challenge complete a very long bike ride to raise money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. (Some even meet and fall in love on that special day.) Congratulations and love to all (and a special shout out to the Lone Pine Lane/Tamarac and Old Hill Road/East Meadow Birthday Girls.) LYRICS SPOTIFY
August 6: She’s got a smile… “Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns & Roses. HB to our wonderful sister-in-law, Lisa Weitzman. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 7: Speak the language of love like you know what it means… “Simply The Best” sung by Tina Turner and written by Mike Chapman and Holly Knight. Thanks for the suggestion, Mrs. Kohlun and Happy Birthday to Sue Pfister & Leslie Kepes Pomerantz!! 🙂 LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 8: You’d be surprised, there’s so much to be done… “House at Pooh Corner” written by Kenny Loggins and performed here by Loggins & Messina (though, originally recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. (The beginning of the video is a little jarring, but I am grateful to have found a lyric video for this song; most of the Pooh Corner lyric videos appear to be for “Return To Pooh Corner”, also by Kenny Loggins and sung by Kenny Loggins, Amy Grant & Gary Chapman.) LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY Happy Birthday to Amy Kiester Leonard & Jill Johnson Mann!
August 9: We’ve got to rise above and beat it… “Waitin’ On The World To Change” written and performed by John Mayer. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 10: I do what I can wherever I end up to keep giving my good love and spreading it around… “Many The Miles” by Sara Bareilles. LYRICS SPOTIFY Happy Birthday to Adam Wergeles!
August 11: How can a person go to work in the morning, come home in the evening and have nothing to say? “Angel From Montgomery” written by John Prine and performed by Bonnie Raitt & Ruthie Foster. LYRICS SPOTIFY
August 12: I want to be in that number… “Oh, When The Saints Go Marching In” performed by Louis Armstrong. And here’s a lyric video with the song sung by The Weavers. LYRICS & SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY
August 13: Our words are strong and our hearts are kind… “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne. LYRICS SPOTIFY
August 14: …and the livin’ is easy… “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess and written by George & Ira Gershwin and sung by Lena Horne. (Or maybe you enjoy Janis Joplin’s version? Or maybe Ella & Louis?) Let me know your favorite. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 15: You’ll stay in my heart… “I Say A Little Prayer” written by Burt Bacharach & Hal David and sung here by the amazing Aretha Franklin. Thanks for the suggestion, Peter, and happy birthday to Mary Sue Welch. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 16: And after all this, won’t you give me a smile?… “London Calling” written & performed by The Clash. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 17: A false hearted lover is worse than a thief… “On Top of Ol’ Smokey” from one of my favorite sing along sites: ListenAndReadAlong. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY (Ok, ok, I know you really want to sing “On Top of Spaghetti“, so here’s a version by Snuffleupagus — today is his birthday — and one by Little Richard.)
August 18: Be yourself, no matter what they say… “Englishman In New York” by Sting. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 19: It’s only my will that keeps me alive… “Many Rivers To Cross” by Jimmy Cliff. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 20: Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you’ve got to do is call…. “You’ve Got A Friend” written by Carole King and performed here by James Taylor. I’m including Carole King’s version, too, because it’s too hard to choose. Happy Birthday to my wonderful Jeanie; I feel lucky to call you a friend. LYRICS, GUITAR CHORDS & SPOTIFY
August 21: We’ll put on the day and wear it ’till the night comes. “Chelsea Morning” by Joni Mitchell (performing on the Dick Cavett Show in 1969). Happy Birthday to Susan Bamel Glickman; thanks for teaching me how to play this song. It has always been one of my favorites (and so have you). 🙂 LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 22: You burn with the brightest flame… “Hall of Fame” by The Script dedicated to teachers everywhere; thanks for all you do. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 23: When we find ourselves in the place just right… “Simple Gifts” performed by Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Krauss. Happy anniversary to one of my favorite couples, Dave & Marianne Harrison, whose favorite version of this song was by Addis & Crofut but, unfortunately, I could not find video or audio of this version. I did, however, find this: “Simple Gifts” performed by Benjamin Luxon & Bill Crofut. LYRICS & HISTORY SPOTIFY
August 24: Maybe it is life itself that feeds wisdom to its youth… “Constant Craving” by K.D. Lang. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 25: Shake it down, shake it down now… “Brick House” by The Commodores. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 26: ‘Cause you believed in me through my darkest night… “Right Down The Line” written and performed by Gerry Rafferty. Also, check out this cover version by Lucias. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 27: Love has got to fight for its existence… “Get Out Of Your Own Way” by U2. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 28: Just look at them and sigh and know they love you… “Teach Your Children” written by Graham Nash and performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Thanks for the suggestion, Bobbi; we miss you at GFS. Happy Birthday to Betsy Alton & Pam Sidman, two Brooklyn beauties! LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 29: If you become a teacher, by your pupils you’ll be taught… “Getting To Know You” from “The King & I” written by Rodgers & Hammerstein. This version is sung by Marni Nixon (though that’s Deborah Kerr on the screen). Happy Birthday, Bevinn! LYRICS SPOTIFY
August 30: Let it flow like a river… “Cry Pretty” performed by Carrie Underwood written by Carrie Underwood, Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey & Lori McKenna. Thanks to Nicole & Maddie for the suggestion (and for introducing me to the “Singing In Theater” page). LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
August 31: I’m not looking for another as I wander in my time… “Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye” written by Leonard Cohen and sung here by Judy Collins. LYRICS SPOTIFY