Theater of the Imagination

Series 1, Episode 11: A Scattershot of Pop

May 25, 2021 Peter Link Season 1 Episode 11
Theater of the Imagination
Series 1, Episode 11: A Scattershot of Pop
Show Notes Transcript

This Episode covers a wide range of Pop music— hence the name, “A Scattershot Of Pop.” Here presented and discussed are some of Peter Link’s favorite Pop music creations from four decades of producing and composing. Join us as we revisit and share insights into the making of and development of everything from ballads to dance music.  If you lived through this time, we promise you a walk back through some of the most memorable sounds and grooves of your lifetime of listening.

Here comes summer!  A time to get out and enjoy life and celebrate just being alive.  Take the music with you! It’ll make it all the better!

Scattershot Symphony is presented by Watchfire Music. Learn more about this episode at their website watchfiremusic.com

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Welcome to:

Scattershot Symphony

The Music of Peter Link

(That’s me.)


People ask me, “Why “Symphony? You’re not a classical composer.” Well, Wikipedia defines “Symphony” as: an extended musical composition most often written by composers for orchestra – often presented in several movements. 


And so, I bring you the music of a lifetime of composition – often presented in several movements.  That’s the nature of these podcasts – a scattershot look at a lifetime of music …


So, strap on them headphones.  

We’re 90% music with just a smattering of commentary. 


So for god sakes, 

(Crowd)

Turn it up!


This week being the eleventh episode of this podcast, I prefer to let the music do the talkin’.  However, if you need to know more about me, please visit Wikipedia.com – Peter Link.    


This episode is entitled 

A Scattershot Of Pop


Phlutterphase Hang Music Cue


What makes a song a “Pop” song?  I would imagine that we all understand that it’s a pretty large umbrella, an extremely wide genre of music. I like to go to the root of the word in order to define it. “Pop” is Popular. Popular Music. Music enjoyed and listened to by the largest of masses. Is “Pop” rock? Is it Hip Hop, Rap, even Jazz or Country influenced? Certainly, all of the above — especially in this day and age.  Add onto that list, R&B, Folk Rock, Reggae, Gospel, Adult Contemporary ... and I could go on and on.  There’s new pop and old pop and fifties pop and 80s pop and again, on and on.


So this Episode covers a wide range of Pop — hence the name, “A Scattershot Of Pop.”  


One of Jenny Burton’s heroes was Katharine Hepburn. Hepburn was the epitome of grace and elegance — the ultimate movie star of the 40s and 50s. She had on-screen romances with Cary Grant and Humphrey Bogart, but the real romance that kept everybody talking was a long 26-year off-screen relationship with Spencer Tracey, who was married and whose wife refused to give a divorce, so, they stayed married. 


For her birthday, I wrote Jenny this next song. It’s one of my favorites that she ever recorded — the perfect kick off for this episode.


Just Like Katharine Hepburn

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link


Popcorn junkie

Hooked on the celluloid

Strung out on the front row

Of the motion picture show


Star fixated

Trapped in my fantasies

Scene after scene

Falling through the silver screen


In a past life

I got to be Bogey's wife

An' in my next life

I get to be Spencer's wife


Oh just like Katharine Hepburn

Just like Katharine Hepburn

Slipping through the hole in my imagination

Right into the role of my latest incarnation

And I am Katharine Hepburn

Just like I always wanted to be

Just like Katharine Hepburn

Living in the soul of me


So elusive

Wrapped in her dignity

Known worldwide

But oh what a mystery


Head strong high class

Tough like a leather glove

Fearless in the face of

Life's unforgotten love


In a past life

I got to be Carey's wife

An' in my last life

I want to be Spencer's wife


Oh just like Katharine Hepburn

Just like Katharine Hepburn

Slipping through the hole in my imagination

Right into the role of my latest incarnation

And I am Katharine Hepburn

Just like I always wanted to be

Just like Katharine Hepburn




Loretta Divine, the African American actress who originated the role of one of the three Dreamgirls on Broadway and then went on to have a major career as a TV and film actress in Hollywood, came to me as a young woman and asked me to produce her first album in the studio. Though she is really known as an actress now, back in the day, she had  a real shot at being a Pop and R&B star.  I wrote and produced 4 or 5 songs for her showcasing a voice that could easily have been a chart topper.  This next song was just one of those songs.


I'm a Survivor

Performed by Loretta Devine

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link


Boy you had me runnin'

Boy you got me thinkin'

There was somethin' kinda special we had goin' on


Boy you had me runnin'

Boy you had my heart

Right deep down in your pocket of control


Boy you had me runnin'

Boy you threw me over

For a two bit sweet-talkin' woman


Boy you had me runnin'

Boy you cut the lifeline

Deep down to the bottom of my soul


And guess what?

I'm here to tell you


I'm still here

I'm a survivor

No tears

I am alive

Cuz life goes on

Rollin' on

You are gone

But it really doesn't matter

I'm here

I'm a survivor

No fears

I am alive

And life goes on

Rollin' on

And on and on

And I'd always known the way it would be


You with your fantasy

You never worried me

It was just never meant to be

You thought I was through

But you were wrong my friend

I'm back up on my feet again

I'm back out in the heat on the street again


Cuz I'm a survivor


I'm a survivor

(Survivor)


Boy you had me runnin'

Boy I never really thought

I'd live to see the moment that I'm standin' here


Boy you had me runnin'

Boy it took the breath of God

To breath the very life back in my soul


And guess what?

I'm here to tell you


I'm still here

I'm a survivor

No tears

I am alive

Cuz life goes on

Rollin' on

You are gone

But it really doesn't matter

I'm here

I'm a survivor

No fears

I am alive

And life goes on

Rollin' on

And on and on

I've always known that I'm a survivor


I'm a survivor

I'm a survivor

I'm a survivor

I'm a survivor

Oh oh


I'm still here

I'm a survivor

No tears

I am alive

Cuz life goes on

Rollin' on

You are gone

But it just doesn't matter

I'm here

I'm a survivor

No fears

I am alive

And life goes on

Rollin' on

And on and on

I've always known the way it would be


I'm a survivor [repeat to fade]




Here’s a song I recently found wandering through the back pages of my life.  Again, back in the day, I would sometimes write a song and end up performing it myself or sometimes I just wanted to make a quick demo to send to somebody else.  

I honestly don’t remember much about the story behind this one. I do know, however that when I recently heard it again after several decades, it intrigued me and seemed to me to be a song that could have, that should have, that might have ... well, you decide.


It Must Be Love

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link


Well I woke up this mornin' with this feelin' inside me

I never really felt it before

It was almost like my better sense had gone and defied me

Lift my bed right offa the floor


And the walls

Would all

Come fallin' down on me


Now I don't know what this is

But I know what your kiss is

And the feelin' from this is

The same


So it must be love

Hey hey

Yes it must be love

(Love)

Oooh oooh


So I lay there in my bed and floated halfway to heaven

Longing for that look in your eyes

As you lay beside me sleepin' at a quarter to seven

Floating through those strawberry skies


And the sun

And the moon

And the stars

Were all shinin' on me


Now I don't know what this is

But I do know what bliss is

And the feelin' from this is

The same


So it must be love

Hey hey

Yes it must be love

(Oooh oooh)


Yes it must be love

(Oooh oooh)

Yes it must be love

(Oooh oooh)

Yes it must be love

(Oooh oooh)

Yes it must be love


Yes it must be love

(Hey hey)

Yes it must be love

Well I woke up this mornin' with this feelin' inside me

Yeah yeah yeah

Yes I woke up this mornin' with you right beside me

Yes I woke up this mornin' with this feelin' inside me

Yeah yeah yeah


And the sun

And the moon

And the stars

Were all shinin'


Shinin' in the morning through them strawberry skies

And I woke up this mornin' took a look in your eyes

And I knew right then that it must be love



Here’s another song that I wrote for Jenny, this one for a special occasion.  As I recall, this one was actually originally two different songs, neither of which quite worked, but both had sections that were infectious. So I took the best of both and reorganized them into this one.  


The special occasion was a reunion at my college several decades ago where Jenny and I performed with a reunion choir full of good old friends.  In three days we threw an evening’s show together for about 700 people. I remember that when we first rehearsed the song with the choir, I first taught all the singers their parts and had them going pretty good. Then in rehearsal, I finally, once they really knew the song, asked Jenny to come into the rehearsal and sing lead on the song. 


This lovely group of dedicated amatures was not ready for the likes of Jenny Burton.  When she got up in rehearsal and started singing, the whole choir just fell apart and stopped singing, preferring rather to just stand there, jaw dropped, and listen to Jenny tear it up. The night of performance went just as well.  We opened the show with this song and got an instant standing ovation for the opening number.  This time the choir remembered to sing their parts.  So come back with us now to that reunion night and join us in remembering old friends and good old times.


Time and Time Again

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link


Through the years I've watched you all

Return and return again

Coming back to share once more

The memories with old friends

Through the good times old times sad times

The feeling never ends

Now there ain't no doubt

Because the word is out

It's all about friends


Friends

Here at last we're together

So close

This feeling of friendship

We're friends

Now we're back an' together

So sweet

We could do it again an' again an' again


It is a time to stop and be with us

This is a time when time stands still

And in the rush of all the memories

Well you can step right up and drink your fill

We're serving


Friends

And we're full to the rafters

(An' it feels) so good

This feeling of friendship

Feel it all around you

We're friends

An' we're lost in the laughter

(Time and time again)


An' I love to be here with you just because

Because you love to love for what the loving does

And we'll all look back upon the way it was

Time and time again

We'll remember our friendships

Time and time again


We'll remember our friendships

Time and time again

We'll remember our friendships

Time and time

And time and time

And time and time again


A time to tell the old old stories

A time to let it all hang out

A time to relive the old glories

A time to play and sing a time to shout

Hallelujah hallelujah

Hallelujah for


Friends

Here at last we're together

So right

This feeling of friendship

Feel it all around you

We're friends

An' it's gettin' better an' better


An' though it's many years

That we've been apart

It was as though no time had passed

Right from the start

Oh yeah we all came back again

And touched the heart


Time and time again

We'll remember our friendships

Time and time again



One piece of advice I always gave female singers was, when making an album, don’t try to cover a Barbara Streisand song. If you do, chances are, you’re going to come in second place. Not only are you not Barbara Streisand, but you’re probably not going to have the money to even begin to match her orchestra and orchestrations, the great studio she worked in, the support team of producers and arrangers around her, etc., etc,. 

I broke my rule ...  


On My Way To You, a gorgeous song written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman and Michel Legrand, was a song that somehow got lost on a Streisand album.  It never became the hit that one would expect.  I always loved the song and had an idea around it that I thought made it a lot more than just another cover.  So, I brought it to Julia Wade, who I knew had the voice and the “stuff” to do it.  


I was right to take the chance.  I put this song in the top ten records I ever worked on.  It’s amazing that when you have a great piece of material to work with in the first place, it makes the process a whole lot easier.


It’s actually a pretty short song, but, I know, I can be a little long winded.  In this case, I love the way it all came out.


On My Way to You

Music and Lyrics by Michel LeGrand and Alan & Marilyn Bergman


So often as I wait for sleep

I find myself reciting

The words I've said or should have said

Like scenes that need rewriting


The smiles I never answered

Doors perhaps I should have opened

Songs forgotten in the morning


I relive the roles I've played

The tears I may have squandered

The many pipers I have paid

Along the roads I've wandered


Yet all the time I knew it

Love was somewhere out there waiting

Though I may regret a kiss or two


If I had changed a single day

What went amiss or went astray

I may have never found my way to you


It happens so often as I wait for sleep…


And all the time I knew it

Love was somewhere out there waiting

Though I may regret a kiss or two


If I had changed a single day

What went amiss or went astray

I would not change a thing that happened

On my way to you


Here’s another song from the Loretta Devine Collection. Penned and produced by Yours Truly, straight from the decades of cheesy MIDI sampling and beat box drumming.  On the other hand, sound is sound, and though today’s sample sounds are all both new and better, retro is definitely alive and well!

Wildfire
Performed by Loretta Devine
Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

You must think that the key to my heart is easy to steal
You must think there's been many more there before
Happened so fast that you musta thought "Baby this can't be real"
Love like this was supposed to cost so much more

But this is love I know
And though it can't be so
What you do to me makes me feel
Like I always wanted to feel

You came into my life
And ignited my life
And your light in my life
Is all that I desire

And this feelin' inside
That's shakin' my pride
Keeps burnin' inside
Burnin' like a fire

So you can take of my life
I will give you my life
Cuz your love in my life
Is burnin' like a fire
Burnin' like a fire
Burnin' like a wildfire

It was not my intention to love you this way
It was all so fast
And the misapprehension some people will make
Says it could not last

But I don't think that the heat of this fire can ever die down
(Die down)
Nothin's ever gonna take this flame away

Cuz this is love I know
And now I can't let go
Cuz what you do to me makes me feel
Like I've always wanted to feel

You came into my life
And ignited my life
And your light in my life
Is all that I desire

And the thought of your touch
Makes me want you so much
And the closer you come 
Keeps takin' me higher

So you can take of my life
I will give you my life
Cuz your love in my life
Is burnin' like a fire
Burnin' like a fire
Burnin' like a wildfire

Burnin' like a wildfire
Burnin' like a wildfire
Burnin' like a wildfire
Burnin' like a wildfire

When it comes to music, Danny Madden has always been one of my favorite partners in crime. Here is a man who lives and breathes music.  A gifted vocalist, Danny worked with me many years as a NY studio background singer before I found that he also had a huge talent as a background vocal arranger.  Between Danny and our dearest of friends, Margaret Dorn, I had decades of opportunity to work consistently with the best of the best vocal arrangers.


Now I am not a rapper.  I took this next song to Danny decades ago, long before Rap was solidly in the limelight and asked him to arrange the background vocals and help me find a rapper who could do the lead and some rap on it. When I first played him the song, of course, I had to perform it for him.  When I had finished, he said, “Pete, you oughta do it yourself!”  My response was, “Oh no, Danny, this is not a song for me.  I’m not a rapper!”


In that day and age, rappers were black and I’m a white guy.  I didn’t wanna try to be something I’m not.  Danny, a black guy, disagreed.  As we worked on the track and background vocals I laid down a scratch track of the rap that just somehow stuck for everyone but me.  In the end they all talked me into being a rapper for at least this one song only.


Now that I’ve given this big moment its set up, I’ll let y’all decide whether or not I should quit my day job.


This one’s just for laughs, but I do love the groove.


Boogie Man

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link


Party, Party

Don't you wanna party?


Party, Party

Don't you wanna party down?


Party, Party

Don't you wanna party?


Party, Party

Don't you wanna party down?


Hey little girl you wanna have some fun?

I know about a party that's just begun

And the honored guest on this dark night

Is the demon's dream and the fool's delight

He's a little strange and a lotta weird

But the party ain't started 'til he's appeared

He's the dancin'est fool since the world began

Yes tonight we're gonna party with the Boogie Man


C'mon down, down, down to the basement

C'mon down, down, down into the hole


Where the music shrieks

And the ghouls and guys and freaks

Are just layin' out, hangin' around

Everybody watchin' for the moment when the man comes down


Come down, down, down to the basement

Come down, down, down into your soul

Come down, down, down to the marrow of your bones

Know he might see ya' got ta' run for your life

Everyone screams at the moment when the man arrives


Here comes the Boogie Man

(Yeah yeah, haunted)

He's got his boogie band

(Yeah yeah, haunted)

Here comes the Boogie Man

(Oooh)

When the party fires up it's automatic

That the old house shakes from the basement to the attic

With the Boogie Man


[Boogie Man laughs]


And it's dance, dance, dance to the music

(Dance)

And it's move, move, move to the groove

(Move)

And the moon is full

So the spooks are out tonight

Everyone goes where the Boogie Man goes

Cuz everyone knows that the man can boogie right


[Boogie Man laughs again]


Here comes the Boogie Man

(Yeah yeah, haunted)

He's got his boogie band

(Yeah yeah, haunted)

Here comes the Boogie Man

(Oooh)


He's doing the zombie to the haunted house rock

From the midnight hour all around the clock


Here comes the Boogie Man

(Yeah yeah, haunted)

He's got his boogie band

(Yeah yeah, haunted)

Here comes the Boogie Man

(Oooh)


And the fiends dance on to the vampire hop

As the band keeps crankin' out the Boogie Man bop


For the Boogie Man


Better make up your mind

You gonna dance

Better make up your mind

You gonna move


Better make up your mind

You gonna dance

Better make up your mind

You gonna groove


Better make up your mind

You gonna dance

Better make up your mind

You gonna move


Better make up your mind

You gonna dance

Better make up your mind

You gonna groove


Hey little girl better lock the door

Cuz the freaks are rollin' all around the floor

There's a green-haired lady with a long mustache

Dancin' with the dog doin' the Monster Mash

There's an eight-legged lizard with a chicken face

Doin' the shimmy, tearin' up the place


There's an undertaker doin' the dead man's rag

And the rest are doing the rumba with the Boogie Man

(Whoa)


Boogie Man

(Yeah yeah, haunted)

He's got his boogie band

(Yeah yeah, haunted)

Here comes the Boogie Man

(Oooh)


And the fiends dance on to the vampire hop

As the band keeps crankin' out the Boogie Man bop


For the Boogie Man

(Yeah yeah, haunted)

He's got his boogie band

(Yeah yeah, haunted)

Here comes the Boogie Man

(Oooh)


And when the party fires up it's automatic

That the old house shakes from the basement to the attic


With the Boogie Man

(Yeah yeah, haunted)

Here comes the Boogie Man

(Yeah yeah, haunted)

Here comes the Boogie Man

(Oooh)


Here’s another Jenny Burton performance that I had somehow forgotten about, but recently rediscovered.


You Mean Everything to Me

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link & Jenny Burton


Can't you see

You belong to me

I know we can fly

High above this madness


Don't you know

There's nowhere else to go

An' it's tearin' me apart

Hiding all this sadness


I can't believe that you're leavin' me baby

I don't why but you're drivin' me crazy

Hard as I try I just can't live without you

Every dream I dream's about you


I was so sure that we never could make it

I thought the cure was to finally break it

For once in my life I was sure I could shake it

All along I was so wrong for...


You mean everything to me

You mean everything to me

An' now I'm goin' down on my knees

Sayin' baby won't you please please please

Bring your sweet lovin' back to me

Bring on home yeah


Can't you see

You're still part of me

This was my mistake

Don't let it be tragic


Don't you know

I still love you so

Why not try again

We can find the magic


I can't believe that you're leavin' me baby

I don't know why but you're drivin' me crazy

Night after night I am lying here lonely

I was made to love you only


I was so sure that we never could make it

I thought the cure was to finally break it

How could I have it so good and mistake it

Now I finally know my mind


You mean everything to me

You mean everything to me

An' now I'm goin' down on my knees

Sayin' baby won't you please please please

Bring your sweet lovin' back to me

Bring on home yeah


You mean everything to me

You mean everything to me

An' now I'm goin' down on my knees

Sayin' baby won't you please please please

Bring your sweet lovin' back to me

Bring on home yeah




This next song goes waaaaaaay back ... actually pre 21st Century, back, back, back to my folk singing days. When I wrote it, it was a quiet gentle introspective folk song — just me an’ my guitar.  As folk music faded away from the mainstream, so did the song.  It sat on the shelf for probably 3 decades until I “rediscovered” it working on my album, Remnants, several years ago.  I always liked the music and always thought the lyrics were beyond the age I was when I wrote it.  It warranted a second shot. The upgrade placed it then into the 21st century and enabled its usage in this episode. It has a timeless quality to it that was fun to revisit.  A folk song, no longer ...


Shadows Away

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link


All my life I’ve lived like a child

Who’s safe in the arms of his mother

Now the feeling has gone away

Now I’m coming of age

Now I’m facing the great unknown

Now I’m taking the stage


May mother’s light be with me tonight

And chase all the shadows away lord

Shine a little light on me

Shadows away

Shine a little light on me

Shadows away


Here I am a child in a man

And don’t know the one from the other

Sometimes feeling a boy again

Sometimes acting my age

Sometimes silly old me again

Sometimes playing the sage


Wisdom’s child he comes and he goes

And one never knows where to find him

So shine a little light on me

Shadows away

Shine a little light on me

Shadows away

And let me be

Let me be

Closer to Thee

And in the final hour

Let me be me


Time will tell the shadows will fall

The mysteries all will be over

So shine a little light on me

Shadows away

Shine a little light on me

Shadows away




I’ve spoken in several previous episodes of a NY production of a Concert Musical entitled The River, that ran at Lincoln Center and Off-Broadway.  It was a concept which told the story of the cycle of water as a drop falls from the heavens as rain, travels across the earth within a brook and then rolls with the river, and finally ends up in the ocean where it is drawn once more up to the heavens by the sun. It is a metaphor for man’s journey through time on Planet Earth.


Ya’ can’t tell the story about water dramatically without including the subject of fire.  Here’s Jenny again with the support of the entire cast, live, closing night at the Promenade Theater in NYC.


Put the Fire Out

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link


Oh Lord the rain it feels so fine

Washin' down over me

Send me down a little more

To set my soul free

To set me free


Well there ain't no sunshine

But I still feel the heat

Sometimes it burns so bad

Like to make me weep


An' I fight these hard times

With all I got

But the sweet temptation comes over me

An' keeps me burnin' hot


An' I just don't understand

If it ain't one thing it's another

I got God on the one hand

And God knows what on the other


But I do know one thing

Without a doubt

It's gonna take a miracle

To put the fire out


Yes it's gonna take a miracle

To put the fire out

To put the fire out

Yes it's gonna take a miracle

To put the fire out

To put the fire out

It's gonna take a miracle to put the fire out


Well I got this burnin'

But I got my pride

Ain't no fire gonna feed on me

An' burn me deep inside


But the smoke is risin'

An' the temperature's in a sweat

An' the sultry lure of the material world

Is something I can't forget


And I can't make up my mind

My back's to the wall so help me brother

I got God on the one hand

And God knows what on the other


But I do know one thing

Without a doubt

It's gonna take a miracle

To put the fire out


Yes it's gonna take a miracle

To put the fire out

To put the fire out

Yes it's gonna take a miracle

To put the fire out

To put the fire out

It's gonna take a miracle to put the fire out


Yes it's gonna take a miracle

To put the fire out

To put the fire out

Yes it's gonna take a miracle

To put the fire out

To put the fire out

It's gonna take a miracle to put the fire out



When I first met Julia Wade, she was newly arrived in NY as an already seasoned Opera singer.  She had a most promising audition at the Met, performed a leading role at the Rome Opera and Teatro Massimo in Palermo, and was well on her way to an exciting career when she realized that she didn’t really want to be an opera singer.


Now opera singers are a very special breed.  It’s not an easy switch from opera to nearly any other genre of music.  Those opera singers who have tried to do so have often failed and often been deservedly laughed at.


But Julia was intent to change style, voice, sound and approach.  And for me it was a fascinating challenge to help her find that new voice.  Few have ever pulled it off.  Many have tried, but Julia succeeded. Fortunately, for Julia, she’s smart. She’s analytic, and she’s a natural actress.  That interesting combination of technique and character worked very well for her.  A decade later she recorded this next song that I wrote and produced for her. It’s proof that it CAN be done. Just as I was not a rapper, Julia would not call herself a pop singer, but she is absolutely a singer who is oft times full of surprises. 


My Body

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link


I am not my body

My body is not me

I mean to live beyond it

In some capacity

I believe I've lived before it

Though memory fails

I cannot ignore it

Everything else

Pales in comparison


This wondrous invention

Of flesh and bone technology

Only belongs to me

Temporarily


I know not where it came from

I know not how it works

I took no part in its conception

Its genius or its quirks

It carries on in sleep

Requiring little of me

It is mine to keep

And cost me nothing


Yes it is the house of my consciousness

For perhaps a hundred years

It manufactures babies

And laughter and tears


It's a miracle of invention

In its breath

In its sight

In its tubes

In its muscle

In its appetite


In its pleasure

In its pain

In its taste

And its touch

In its foot

In its hand

In its amazing ability

To discern Tchaikovski

From Sergeant Pepper's Lonely

Hearts Club Band


I am not my body

My body is not me

But me and my body

We basically agree

To live, for a time,

On this spec in space

This embrace of mind and matter

This interface

Through this vast universe of illusion

And conjecture we go

For reasons

That I'll probably never know


Well we might as well make the best of it.

So let's dance!

Yeah let us dance

We got to dance now

Work yo' body

Work yo' body

Work yo' body

Let us dance


I am not my body

No my body is not me

But I'm amazed

By both its function

Oh and yes

Its mystery

But I go about my business

Mostly unaware

I sit in thought

I climb the stair


So little do I think ahead

And tell it what to do

It seems to work just fine

From its matter-mind

Every blink

Every step

Every breath

Every heartbeat

Every quick reaction

Every wild attraction


I am not my body

No my body is not me

It bears no real resemblance

To my true being


But hey, let's make the best of it!


And let's dance!!!


Yeah let us dance

We got to dance now

Work yo' body

Work yo' body

Work yo' body

Let us dance



So now we come to our finale.  Jenny Burton started her career in dance music. Her One More Shot was the first of several of her dance music hits of the 80s.  Later I wrote this last one for Jenny and great friend and super talented Lawrence Hamilton of Broadway musical fame.  Why this song was never a hit is beyond me.  It’s got all the right stuff.  But that’s the record business. I had a million selling record that was nowhere near as entertaining on all levels as this next song.  If that sounds like sour grapes, well, it probably is. In the music business, there is one thing for sure.  “Ya’ never know.”  Sometimes the worst of dreck can sit at the top of the charts; sometimes the best.  Who’s to tell?


One thing for sure ... if it’s got a beat and you can dance to it, it’s got a chance.  


So get on your dancin’ shoes ...

Saturday Night's for Dancin'
Performed by Jenny Burton and Lawrence Hamilton
Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

[Freddie]
Oh c'mon baby

[Jenny]
Freddie, I'm tellin' you
I don't want no more of yo' sloppy kisses

[Freddie]
Say what?

[Jenny]
Well if you think this back alley is romantic,
You need to take some serious lessons in Lovemaking 101
Besides, you said we were gonna go dancin'
Freddie, I wanna go dancin'
We could have a good time dancin'
C'mon Freddie

[Girls]
Saturday night's for dancin'
A little touch touch romancin'

[Jenny]
Freddie, c'mon dude

[Freddie]
Aw

[Girls]
Saturday night's for dancin'
A little touch touch romancin'
A little hot hot all over
We ain't gonna stop til we drop

[Jenny]
Ain't you gonna take me to the party?
Everybody's goin' to the party
If you won't take me to the party
You can take me home cuz I wanna be alone

Ain't you gonna take me out dancin'?
You promised we'd go out dancin'
I had my heart set on dancin'
Uhuh baby I don't wanna hear maybe

[Freddie]
I don't wanna go dancin'
I don't wanna go out dancin'
I don't really wanna go dancin'
I just wanna kiss kiss your body

[Jenny]
Freddie please take me to the party
You can get your jollies at the party
I know you're gonna love it at the party
I can give you every little thing you've ever dreamed

Everybody dance
Everybody move
Everybody come to the party
Gonna get back in the groove

Everybody rock
Everybody roll
Feel that music go through your body
Straight down to your soul

Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
Stick your arm back in your sleeve
Cuz I'm ready to leave

Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
Put your foot back in your sock
Cuz I'm ready to rock

[Freddie]
I don't wanna go dancin'
I don't wanna go out dancin'
I don't really wanna go dancin'
I just wanna kiss kiss your body

[Jenny]
Freddie ain'tcha goin' to the party?
You promised you'd take me to the party
You don't know what you're missin' at the party
It's Saturday night and it feels so right

Saturday night's for dancin'
A little touch touch romancin'
A little hot hot all over
We ain't gonna stop til we drop

Saturday night's for burnin'
I've got such such a yearnin'
And then we're three scoops over [bar 62]
Ooh baby you're gonna drive me crazy

Saturday night's for rockin'
A little buck in your pocket
And when you feel that beat all over
Nothin's gonna stop ya from rockin' til ya drop

Everybody dance
Everybody move
Everybody come to the party
Gonna get back in the groove

Everybody sweat
Everybody bleed
Everybody dance cuz the rhythm's
gonna fill your every need

Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
Get your butt back in your pants
Cuz I'm ready to dance

C'mon Freddie
C'mon Freddie
Get it
C'mon girl
Gettin' down

[Freddie]
Oh c'mon baby

[Jenny]
Go on with yo' bad self
Oh
Ow you better rock it

[Girls]
Everybody
Everybody dance

[Jenny]
C'mon Freddie
Get it, ow

[Girls]
Saturday night
Saturday night
Saturday

[Jenny]
Gettin' down
Everybody bleed
Everybody dance

[Freddie]
But I don't wanna go dancin'
I don't wanna go out dancin'
I don't really wanna go dancin'
I just wanna kiss kiss your body

[Jenny]
Freddie I'm goin' to the party
And if you wanna meet me at the party
You'll know where to find me at the party
Groovin' on the dance floor and beggin' for more

[Girls]
Saturday night's for groovin'
A little hoo hoo and they're moving
It feels good good all over
You can do what you choose
But I'm ready to cruise

[Jenny]
Everybody dance
Everybody bop
Everybody come to the party
Yeah let's go to the hop

Everybody rock
Everybody go
Feel that music go through your body
Straight down to your toes

Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
Stick your arm back in your sleeve
Cuz I'm ready to leave

[Freddie]
Oh c'mon baby

[Jenny]
Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
Put your foot back in your sock
Cuz I'm ready to rock

[Freddie]
C'mon

[Jenny]
Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
Get your butt back in your pants
Cuz I'm ready to dance

[Freddie]
Alright baby

[Jenny]
Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
Saturday night's for dancin'
[Fade out]

So there ya’ have it! Scattershot Symphony, Episode 11. Next? 


A New World Album Interview with Jenny Burton


Recently Jenny Burton released an EP on Watchfire Music that takes a look at the new world that we all face going forward into what we hope will be a post pandemic period.  It’s a positive and hopeful look at the future through song. We’ll have a great chance to sit down with Jenny and discuss the making of this album.


Also, please rate and subscribe ...


A grateful nod goes to Lawrence Hamilton, Danny Madden and Margaret Dorn for their always inspired work on the arrangements of background vocals. Also to all those great background singers who are too many to mention in this podcast and also sometimes too distant to remember. My apologies.


A very special thanks also to Stuart Barefoot, our Associate Producer for all your invaluable knowledge and good vibes.

And a posthumous thanks to Ludwig Van Beethoven for your opening 4 bars.


Julia

(over playout music)

This podcast is presented with loving care by the staff at Watchfire Music. If you liked what you heard, we got lots more where that came from. In the meantime, you can find the songs you just heard on watchfiremusic.com. There you can purchase the singles or albums and have access to all the lyrics. Also, there you will find all previous podcasts and future scheduling.


If you just became a Scattershot fan, 

tell your friends and Stay tuned!