November 1: Because my dreams are bursting at the seams… “Fireflies” by Adam Young and Owl City. (Thanks for the suggestion, Bennett!) LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY Remember to VOTE ON TUESDAY!
November 2: The squirrels are on to something and they’re working overtime… “When Fall Comes To New England” by Cheryl Wheeler. LYRICS SPOTIFY Remember to VOTE ON TUESDAY!
November 3: We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl,
year after year… “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd. Dedicated to Michael Sheehan. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY Remember to VOTE ON TUESDAY!
November 4: Thanks for asking me to marry you on this day in 1991 and for doing all you can to give me rainbows every day since then… “Que Sera Sera!” by Ray Evans & Jay Livingston and sung by Doris Day. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY Remember to VOTE ON TUESDAY!
November 5: There’s a battle outside and it’s raging… “The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan plus an updated version by Jimmy Fallon. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY Remember to VOTE TOMORROW!
November 6: If you don’t like who’s in there, VOTE ‘EM OUT! by Willie Nelson LYRICS SPOTIFY Remember to VOTE TODAY!
November 7: Come hear the secrets of life… “Aeyaya Balano Sakkad” Today is Diwali, which celebrates the “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance” Diwali ki Shubhkamnayein LYRICS SPOTIFY
November 8: Oh, where would I be if I lost my pal? “Erie Canal” written in 1905 by Thomas S. Allen and sung by Edward Meeker in 1913 (he only sang verses 1-4), and Vernon Dalhart from 1929 (the only early artist to record verse #5); thanks to Dave Ruch. LYRICS & SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY
November 9: Love can’t give you everything but it can give you what you need… “Give Yourself To Love” by Kate Wolf and sung by Diane Chodkowski. Happy Birthday to JoJo Werther & Ruth Heller. LYRICS SPOTIFY
November 10: Nobody worry ’bout me… “I’m Alright” by Kenny Loggins from Caddyshack. Happy Birthday to my wonderful littlest brother, Russell Sherman; we were so lucky when you were born into our family 50 years ago today. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY (P.S. You are more than alright, little brother; you are dyn-o-mite and I love you so much that you get a bonus birthday gift! )
November 11: Thanks to all the Veterans for their service. Here are the songs of the Armed Forces: Air Force Song, Army Song, Coast Guard Song, National Guard Song, Navy Song and Marine Hymn. A very Happy Birthday to my peace-loving friend, Melissa Balaban. SPOTIFY
November 12: You make my motor run… “My Sharona” by The Knack (written by Berton Averre and Doug Fieger). Thanks for the suggestion, Lisa! LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
November 13: We’re on the move… “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead. Thanks for the suggestion, Dr. Kimberly Dean! LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
November 14: Carry my loved one home safely to me…“Red Sails in The Sunset” sung here by Nat King Cole; with lyrics by James Kennedy and music by Will Grosz (who was better known as Hugh Williams). LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
November 15: She dreams in color… “Better Man” by Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam (though I prefer Cal Kehoe and Russell Sherman’s version). LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
November 16: Don’t let my glad expression give you the wrong impression… “Tears of A Clown” by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
November 17: You’re the key to my peace of mind…. “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. Happy, happy birthday to my Auntie Dee (Diane Klayman Salzman to you); I love you! (If you’d like to sing along with Aretha Franklin, here’s her version with lyrics.) LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
November 18: You make me happy when skies are grey… “You Are My Sunshine” written by Jimmie Davis and his guitar player Charles Mitchell and sung here by Elizabeth Mitchell. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY Happy Birthday to Liz Rosenthal Rosenberg!
November 19: You are not hopeless… “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle. LYRICS SPOTIFY This week, especially, I think about the things I’m grateful for and today I’d like thank you for sharing your favorite songs with me.
November 20: The streets of town were paved with stars… “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square” written in 1939 with lyrics by Eric Maschwitz and music by Manning Sherwin. This version is by The Manhattan Transfer and, thanks to the Swinging ‘Gates of Colgate University, this is my favorite version of the song. If you want to sing along with a lyric video, here’s a good karaoke version. LYRICS SPOTIFY
November 21: Let us hold each other… “Hold Back The River” by James Bay. I was looking for “Over The River and Through The Wood” by Lydia Maria Childs, but I stumbled upon this song and want to wish Sophie Lev a belated Happy Birthday (Sophie introduced me to James Bay). So grateful to my children’s friends for giving them support and love. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
November 22: Happy Thanksgiving (from Mary Chapin Carpenter) and Happy Birthday to my cousin Natascha Sherman Hess (I’m so glad you were born and I’m grateful to you for introducing me to the music of Brandi Carlile): “Wherever Is Your Heart (I Call Home)”. SPOTIFY
November 23: If you’re all alone when the pretty birds have flown… “Take A Chance On Me” by Bjorn Ulvaeus and ABBA. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
November 24: Your eyes could steal a sailor from the sea… “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)” written by Elliot Lurie and performed by Looking Glass. (This song is for the Apple Genius who helped me at the Crossgates Albany Apple Store. Thanks for your help, Josh!) LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
November 25: He would like the fact it’s musical because he plays guitar… “Taylor The Latte Boy” written by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich and sung by Kristin Chenoweth. LYRICS SPOTIFY
November 26: Even when I lose I’m winning… “All Of Me” by John Legend. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
November 27: Where are you going and what do you wish? Wynken, Blynken & Nod based on a poem by Eugene Field with music by Lucy Simon and sung here by The Doobie Brothers. LYRICS & SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY
November 28: Only rainbows after rain… “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
November 29: Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee… “Beautiful Dreamer” written by Stephen Collins Foster and sung by Bing Crosby. LYRICS & SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY
November 30: Wraps around my heart, refusing to unwind… “Crazy Love” by Poco. LYRICS SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY