January 16, 2021

 

What better gift to leave behind,

than a thought that brings a smile to mind.

Each one different, and personal too,

meant for every individual, we once knew.

 

What better gift, when all is said,

than a thought that brings a shake of the head.

Followed by a chuckle, as friends recall,

times well spent, when we had a ball.

 

What better fortune could we bestow,

than the part of us, we let folks know.

A world of wealth, each friendship worth.

Such satisfaction when we leave this earth.

 

by Harriet Blackbury

 

November 30, 2017

 

The much loved Beatle, George Harrison,

had more than 10 singles on his own accord,

among them ‘Got My Mind Set On You’

and making No.1 was ‘My Sweet Lord’.

 

Freddie Mercury’s 1st solo album – ‘Mr Bad Guy’,

was certainly one not to miss.

The 8th track especially winning hearts 

was ‘There Must Be More To Life Than This’.

 

From ‘Space Oddity’ to ‘Ashes to Ashes’

From ‘Life on Mars’ to ‘Fame’,

David Bowie will always be remembered

for staying ahead of the game.

 

‘Praying For Time’ to get over his loss  –

for George Michael, we still shed a tear.

His hit  ‘December Song ( I Dreamed Of Christmas)

so relevant at this time of year.

 

‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’ & ‘You’re My World’,

in 64 were No.1’s,  back to back.

Loved both at home and ‘Across The Universe’

was Liverpool’s  own Cilla Black.

 

‘One Moment In Time’

gave Whitney Houston her 3rd UK  No.1,

and her 4th No.1 – ‘I Will Always Love You’,

from The Bodyguard, every heart won.

 

In Nov of 80, ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ –

a gold selling No.1 in the US and the UK,

and ‘Imagine’, and ‘Woman’, two back to back No.1’s –

John Lennon we miss you in every way.

 

‘Walk On The Wild Side’, a Top 10 in 73

came from US genius –  Lou Reed.

Other UK hits include ‘ Soulman ‘ and ‘Satellite Of Love’,

but ‘Perfect Day’, we loved too  – yes indeed.

 

‘Blue Christmas’ and ‘Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me’ –

hits of 64 and 57 for Elvis, –  fans thought just heaven.

In 77, ‘White Christmas’ from Bing Crosby

also back in the charts in 85, 98 and 07.

 

Losing Michael Jackson in 2009

was another huge music industry loss.

‘Rock With You’,  just one of his 50 songs

back in the UK Top 200 – showing he was still the boss.

 

Chris Squire, a respected member of ‘Yes’,

also too soon, from this earth, did depart.

Two Top Ten singles that come to mind are –

‘Circus Of Heaven’ and ‘Owner Of A Lonely Heart’.

 

With age comes acceptance

that the end may be nigh,

and that all earthly happenings

will soon pass us by.

 

Though life has a habit

of throwing in a curved ball,

and taking,  far too early,

those who haven’t lived at all.

 

And this shock to the system

sometimes questions belief.

Taking longer to cope with

the heavy burden of grief.

 

But if waiting for our arrival

are these past heroes and mates,

the party can continue

far beyond heaven’s gate.

 

written by

Harriet Blackbury.

 

May 23, 2017

 

 

In 62, the first Bond theme came from –

The John Barry Orchestra for ‘Doctor No’.

Followed by ‘From Russia With Love’,

in 63, sung by Matt Munro.

 

Then in 64, with the third Bond title song,

came Shirley Bassey with her hit, Goldfinger.

and in 65, ‘Thunderball’ from Tom Jones,

also another fine welsh singer.

 

The fifth Bond film theme – ‘You Only Live Twice’,

was sung, in 67 by Nancy Sinatra.

Then ‘On Her Majesty’s Service’ in 69, saw the

re-appearance of The John Barry Orchestra.

 

‘We Have All The Time In The World’,

( also in this film), an unforgettable song,

performed as only he could,

by wonderful Mr Louis Armstrong.

 

Early 72 saw Shirley Bassey once more,

at her sparkling best with ‘Diamonds Are Forever’

and in 73, Paul McCartney and Wings gave us

‘Live And Let Die’, which we all sang together.

 

Composed by John Barry – words by Don Black in 74,

‘The Man With The Golden Gun’, nicely for Lulu did sit.

And in 77, Carly Simon with ‘Nobody Does It Better’,

from the film, The Spy Who Loved Me’, a hit.

 

Shirley Bassey performed the theme from ‘Moonraker’

( her third Bond song coming in 79).

And next Sheena Easton with the title song

‘For Your Eyes Only’, in 81, also divine.

 

In 83, the film ‘Octopussy’

found Rita Coolidge with ‘All Time High’,

and in 85 (with a U.S. No.1), Duran Duran sang,

‘A View To A Kill’, making young hearts sigh.

 

‘The Living Daylights’ came from Norway’s A-ha,

in 87, with the next film title song.

And Gladys Knight with ‘Licence To Kill’,

in 89, proved she could still do no wrong.

 

Also at her best in 95 Tina Turner,

had a hit with ‘Golden Eye’ to let us know.

And in 97 with ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’

yet another American – fab Sheryl Crow.

 

‘The World Is Not Enough’ from Garbage,

in 99, with the next film title seen.

And ‘Die Another Day’ in 2002 from Madonna,

a hit by this world renown song queen.

 

The song for Casino Royale in 2006 –

‘You Know My Name’ by Chris Cornell, did please.

‘Another Way To Die’ for Quantum Of Solace,

in 2008 coming from Jack White and Alicia Keys

 

More recently, in 2012 Adele gave us ‘Skyfall’,

always sure to mesmerise.

And Spectre, just perfect for Sam Smith

in 2015, coming as no surprise.

 

Whatever James Bond Film your favourite,

whichever actor your preference to play the man,

you are guaranteed a time of excitement

no matter which decade they span.

 

James Bond films are films like no other;

fantasy entertainment of the highest score.

And in 2017 with heartfelt sadness

fans said ‘Goodnight, God Bless’ to Sir Roger Moore.

 

And now, just three years later,

the original James Bond, (some considered the best) –

Sir Sean Connery, has sadly departed.

Thank you,  in peace, may you rest.

 

R I P  Sir Sean Connery  1930 – 2020

February 27, 2017

 

 

The dynamics change

almost overnight

without a hint

of a clue.

A new day dawns

and a wilderness

is the only sight

in view.

 

A life that let us

go forward

now just a path

of dust.

Another one

now missing

from our tight

circle of trust.

 

The dynamics change

almost overnight

without so much

as a blink.

A new day dawns

and yesterday’s plans

we immediately have

to re-think.

 

A life that let us

go forward

now finds us in

‘stand still’ mode.

Another one

now missing

as we embark

on an unknown road.

 

 

 

 

And grief came knocking at the door

for those now lost who’ve gone before.

 

The emptiness, the hollow sound,

of those no longer now around.

 

The house of cards where Jack now King –

a new regime of hopes eternal spring.

 

And worth and value now assessed

at the worst time, under duress.

 

 

 

And grief now knocking at the door,

let sense prevail, without uproar.

 

The madness that was yesterday

weighed heavy on each bird of prey.

 

The house of cards now tumbling down,

slim pickings gathered from the ground.

 

But no good will they ever do

without a world that’s shared with you.

 

 

October 25, 2016

 

 

Everyone’s favourite and 60’s Icon –

America’s Bobby Vee, was loved by all.

He bounced into the charts in 61

with his first UK hit ‘Rubber Ball’.

 

‘Also in 61, four more Top 10 songs included –

‘Take Good Care Of My Baby’ at No.3,

And ‘Run To Him’ in December,

A Christmas hit proved to be.

 

‘Please Don’t Talk About Barbara’

and ‘Sharing You’ – hits in 62,

and ‘A Forever Kind Of Love’,

in the charts of this year too.

 

In 63, another song to captivate us,

was ‘The Night Has A Thousand Eyes’,

reaching as high as Number 3

 – this Star did mesmerise…

 

And fittingly ‘Bobby Tomorrow’ –

his last hit of 63.

Though christened Robert Velline,

to us, he’ll always be Bobby Vee.

 

Thank You for the music –

Rest In Peace   (1943 – 2016)

 

 

 

September 13, 2016

 

‘Never’ arrived without any warning.

Not a hint or inkling was there.

Out of the blue, life came to a standstill,

without sense or seconds to spare.

 

Just a normal day like any other;

the same route he would always frequent.

No goodbye peck or farewell greeting,

to the other side, quick as lightning he went.

 

A lifetime of memories called on,

in that instance, when life quickly spent.

Emotion and anger reaching the surface:

All the things unsaid, but so truly meant.

 

The end – the shock of finality;

the next stage, in that second was there.

Now faced with a lifetime of solitude,

when so happy was life as a pair.

 

Two swans happily sailing together,

raising their offspring on the lake.

Until the Penn so callously taken,

leaving the Cob with new plans to make.

 

July 15, 2016

 

 

 

and sand that filtered through their toes

moments before their system froze,

 

found feet, as one, an army strong,

(instinctively knowing, something was wrong),

 

running for cover, this way and that.

Arms gathering children, who innocently sat

 

at bars and restaurants along the Prom,

and dashing for safety, knowing not what from!

 

In frenzied panic, a gunshot heard.

Their disturbed minds so unprepared

 

to deal with violence of this magnitude,

during a family day, in happy mood,

 

as fireworks that had filled the sky,

left all of France asking the question ‘Why,

 

on such a day, when peace resumed,

was danger waiting, by hatred consumed.

 

Impossible to know, what was in store!

Now so hard, going on, living as before,

 

when sand that filtered through their toes,

as the day began, for those who chose

 

to celebrate, as friends and family do.

Be sure Dear France, the world loves you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 17, 2016

 

 

Reality hit home

and stopped us in our tracks.

All flippancy now gone,

a real look at the facts.

 

A valued life taken;

a heart of pure gold.

One with good intentions,

destined never to grow old.

 

Another war of attrition,

once more, words could not solve.

We all must now reflect,

and somehow find resolve.

 

As one life too many

lost along the way.

Please God, let sense prevail,

on this planet where we stay.

 

 

April 23, 2016

 

 

A Legend’s Legend;

no greater respect,

bestowed on this artist,

who had such an effect

 

on the world of music;

far too early the pain,

as we mourn his loss –

on our lips – Purple Rain.

 

A musician, a singer.

A writer renown.

The artist formally known as Prince,

has now won the King’s crown.

 

 

Nothing compares 2 U, or ever will.  

 

 

 

 

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