Week 51 – Think Bensonium

Day 357: Thank you, Dido

Roderick Benson — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 00:00:39 +0000

I think it is time for another Dido song. This one has Dido’s signature laid back percussion feel to it. The perfect song to unwind to after a hard day at work. The video to this song is also pretty clever.

Day 356: If you leave me now, Chicago

Roderick Benson — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 00:00:46 +0000

Time for a soppy love song. This song is pretty and dominated the airwaves when it was first released in 1976. It reminds me very much of the Max Merritt classic Slipping Away which I have already cited on Covid Island Discs. For a long time I could not find a high quality version of this song on Youtube but finally one popped up in my feed. I am always in admiration of musicians who can pluck a 12 string clearly as Peter Cetera does in this performance of Chicago’s iconic song as obviously it takes more precision than plucking out a tune on a standard six string guitar.

Day 355: A new England, Kirsty Macoll

Roderick Benson — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 00:00:37 +0000

A pretty song by a UK artist who lost her life in 2000 in terrible circumstances. Kirsty MacColl was holidaying in Mexico when she and her sons went diving in the Chankanaab reef. Not sure if this is correct, but I read on a feed that she was pregnant with the son whose life she saved in 2000.

As the group was surfacing from a dive, a powerboat moving at high speed entered the restricted area. MacColl saw the boat coming before her sons did. Louis, age 13 at the time, was not in its path, but Jamie, age 15, was. She was able to push him out of the way (he sustained minor head and rib injuries), but she was struck by the boat which ran over her. MacColl suffered severe chest injuries and died instantly (taken from Wikipedia).

Day 354: Over and Over, Fleetwood Mac

Roderick Benson — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 00:00:53 +0000

While Fleetwood Mac’s most famous album is probably Rumours, their album Tusk also had some gems on it. I have already cited the song Tusk from the album but probably one of the prettiest song on this album was the opening song Over and Over. It is such a melodic and relaxing song. The perfect song to put on after a stressful day at work or if you want to have a romantic evening with a loved one.

December 2022: RIP Christine McVie

Day 353: Keep good company, Queen

Roderick Benson — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 00:00:38 +0000

This little number appeared on Queen’s “Night at the Opera” album which in my view was by far their best album. I really like this little ditty as it captures the wise truth that it is very easy to lose friendships with the progression of the years. In my own life I can think of many who have travelled some of that strange road we call our life and yet are no longer walking with me. My favourite lines in this song are:

Now I’m old and puff my pipe but no one’s there to see
Ponder on my the lesson of my life’s insanity
Take care of those you call your own and keep good company.

The banjo in this song is also very good!

Day 352: Don’t stand so close to me, The Police

Roderick Benson — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 00:00:10 +0000

Wow I am surprised I have got to day 352 before I finally cited this song. As I have written on several occasions I love songs that are musically intense and this one is right up there. A classic Police song. Sting of course at one point was a school teacher so I sometimes wonder if this song might be a little bit autobiographical?

Day 351: All those years ago, George Harrison

Roderick Benson — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 00:00:39 +0000

OK kicking off week 51 I think it is time for another George Harrison song. This song is quite touching as George looks back on the Beatle years and sings about his love for John Lennon who he “always looked up to.” Sadly, like John, he is no longer with us.