LIVING NEXT DOOR TO ALICE

CHRIS NORMAN(SMOKIE)

SONGWRITERS: M. CHAPMAN, NICKY CHINN

COUNTRY: U. K.

ALBUM: MIDNIGHT CAFE

LABEL: RAK

GENRE: POP ROCK

YEAR: 1976

Smokie(originally spelt Smokey) are an English rock band from Bradford, Yorkshire. The band found success at home and abroad after teaming up with Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn. They have had a number of line-up changes and were still actively touring in 2018. Their most popular hit single, "Living Next Door to Alice", peaked at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and, in March 1977, reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other hit singles include "If You Think You Know How to Love Me", "Oh Carol", "Lay Back in the Arms of Someone", and "I'll Meet You at Midnight".

"Living Next Door to Alice" is a song co-written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. Originally released by the Australian vocal harmony trio New World in 1972, the song charted at No. 35 on the Australian chart. The song later became a worldwide hit for British band Smokie.

n November 1976, the British band Smokie released their version of "Living Next Door to Alice". The single peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart and, in March 1977, reached 25 in the United States. It was a number one hit in Australia, Austria, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland. Smokie collaborated on a parody version in 1995 with comedian Roy Chubby Brown, which peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, selling almost half a million copies.

Ex-Smokie vocalist Chris Norman included his solo cover of the song on his 2000 studio album Full Circle.

Sally called when she got the word

And she said: "I suppose you've heard

About Alice"

When I rushed to the window

And I looked outside

And I could hardly believe my eyes

As a big limousine rolled up

Into Alice's drive...

Oh, I don't know why she's leaving

Or where she's gonna go

I guess she's got her reasons

But I just don't want to know

'Cos for twenty-four years

I've been living next door to Alice

Twenty-four years just waiting for a chance

To tell her how I feel, and maybe get a second glance

Now I've got to get used to not living next door to Alice...

We grew up together

Two kids in the park

We carved our initials

Deep in the bark

Me and Alice

Now she walks through the door

With her head held high

Just for a moment, I caught her eye

As a big limousine pulled slowly

Out of Alice's drive

Oh, I don't know why she's leaving

Or where she's gonna go

I guess she's got her reasons

But I just don't want to know

'Cos for twenty-four years

I've been living next door to Alice

Twenty-four years just waiting for a chance

To tell her how I feel, and maybe get a second glance

Now I gotta get used to not living next door to Alice...

And Sally called back and asked how I felt

And she said: "I know how to help

Get over Alice"

She said: "Now Alice is gone

But I'm still here

You know I've been waiting

For twenty-four years..."

And a big limousine disappeared...

I don't know why she's leaving

Or where she's gonna go

I guess she's got her reasons

But I just don't want to know

'Cos for twenty-four years

I've been living next door to Alice

Twenty-four years just waiting for a chance

To tell her how I feel, and maybe get a second glance

But I'll never get used to not living next door to Alice...

No, I'll never get used to not living next door to Alice...

FIRE AND RAIN,

JAMES TAYLOR

SONGWRITER: JAMES TAYLOR

HOW: LIVE 1970

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: SWEET BABY JAMES

LABEL: WARNER BROS

GENRE: FOLCK ROCK

YEAR: 1970

James Vernon Taylor(born March 12, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

Taylor achieved his breakthrough in 1970 with the No. 3 single "Fire and Rain" and had his first No. 1 hit in 1971 with his recording of "You've Got a Friend", written by Carole King in the same year. His 1976 Greatest Hits album was certified Diamond and has sold 12 million US copies. Following his 1977 album, JT, he has retained a large audience over the decades. Every album that he released from 1977 to 2007 sold over 1 million copies. He enjoyed a resurgence in chart performance during the late 1990s and 2000s, when he recorded some of his most-awarded work (including Hourglass, October Road, and Covers). He achieved his first number-one album in the US in 2015 with his recording Before This World.

He is known for his covers, such as "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" and "Handy Man", as well as originals such as "Sweet Baby James".

"Fire and Rain" is a folk rock song written and performed by James Taylor. Released on Warner Bros. Records as a single from his second album, Sweet Baby James, in February 1970, the song follows Taylor's reaction to the suicide of Suzanne Schnerr, a childhood friend, and his experiences with drug addiction and fame. After its release, "Fire and Rain" peaked at number two on RPM's Canada Top Singles chart and at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Fire And Rain" was released in February 1970. Several events and incidents in James Taylor's life are reflected in this song, including the suicide of his friend, Suzanne Schnerr, the failure with his band and his drug addiction.

Carole King, who played piano on this song, later wrote and recorded a song "You've Got a Friend"(1971) which was inspired by the line "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend."

This song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone

Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you

I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song

I just can't remember who to send it to

I've seen fire and I've seen rain

I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end

I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend

But I always thought that I'd see you again

Won't you look down upon me, Jesus

You got to help me make a stand

You just got to see me through another day

My body's achin' and my time is at hand

And I won't make it any other way

Oh I've seen fire and I've seen rain

I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end

I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend

But I always thought that I'd see you again

Been walkin' my mind to an easy time

My back turned towards the sun

Lord knows when the cold wind blows

It'll turn your head around

Well, there's hours of time on the telephone line

To talk about things to come

Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground

Oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain

I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end

I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend

But I always thought that I'd see you, baby, one more time again now

Thought I'd see you one more time again

There's just a few things comin' my way this time around now

Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you

Fire and rain.

I WAS COUNTRY WHEN COUNTRY WASN'T COOL

LYNN ANDERSON

SONGWRITER:

COUNTRY: U.S.A.

ALBUM: ROSE GARDEN – 24 GREAT COUNTRY SONGS

LABEL: COUNTRY STARS

GENRE: COUNTRY

YEAR: 2011

Lynn Rene Anderson(September 26, 1947 – July 30, 2015) was an American country music singer known for a string of hits from the late 1960s to the 1980s, most notably her worldwide mega-hit "Rose Garden"(1970). Anderson's crossover appeal and regular exposure on national television helped her become country music's first mainstream female superstar in the early 1970s; taking the genre to venues around the world that previously had not been receptive. In 1970, she became the first female country star to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and, in 1974, the first to headline and sellout Madison Square Garden in New York City. Anderson was among the most highly awarded female country recording artists of her era, and her version of "Rose Garden" stands as one of the most successful crossover recordings of all-time.

Anderson charted 12 No. 1, 18 Top 10, and more than 50 Top 40 hit singles. In addition to being named "Top Female Vocalist" by the Academy of Country Music(ACM) twice and "Female Vocalist of the Year" by the Country Music Association(CMA), she also won a Grammy Award(earning seven nominations), People's Choice Award and an American Music Award(AMA). Record World, one of three major industry trade magazines at the time (Billboard and Cashbox the other two), named Lynn Anderson 'Artist of the Decade' for 1970-80. Additionally, Anderson was the first female country artist to win the American Music Award (1974). All genres combined, she was the #13 music artist of the 1970s according to Joel Whitburn and the highest ranking country artist not yet in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

According to Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, "Anderson's television background and her ability to bring show-business dynamism to recordings and concert performances helped her achieve crossover success. With talent and tenacity, the country music star brought increased visibility to the genre." She continued to record and remained a popular concert draw until her death, regularly headlining major casino showrooms, performing arts centers, and theaters. 

I remember wearin' straight leg Levis and flannel shirts

Even when they weren't in style

I remember singin' with Roy Rogers at the movies

When the West was really wild

And I was listenin' to the Opry

When all of my friends were diggin' Rock 'n Roll

And Rhythm & Blues

I was Country, when Country wasn't cool

I remember circlin' the drive-in, pullin' up

And turnin' down George Jones

I remember when no one was lookin'

I was puttin' peanuts in my Coke

I took a lot of kiddin'

'Cause I never did fit in

Now look at everybody tryin' to be what I was then

I was Country, when Country wasn't cool

(Chorus:)

I was Country, when Country wasn't cool

I was Country, from my hat down to my boots

I still act, and look the same

What you see ain't nothin' new

I was Country, when Country wasn't cool

They call us country bumpkins

For stickin' to our roots

I'm just glad we're in a country

Where we're all free to choose

I was Country, when Country wasn't cool

(Repeat chorus)

Yeah, I was Country when Country wasn't cool.

YOU'RE THE REASON

JOE SOUTH

SONGWRITER: BOBBY EDWARDS, TERRY IMESFELL & FRED HENLEY

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: YOU1RE THE REASON

LABEL: CAPITOL RECORDS

GENRE: COUNTRY

YEAR: 1971

"You're the Reason" is a song by Bobby Edwards, released as a single in the United States in 1961. The song reached number four on the Country singles chart and number 11 on the Pop singles chart. The tune was later covered by Gerry and the Pacemakers, Joe South, Hank Locklin, Hank III and John Fogerty on his album The Blue Ridge Rangers.

Joe South(born Joseph Alfred Souter; February 28, 1940 – September 5, 2012) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Best known for his songwriting, South won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1970 for "Games People Play" and was again nominated for the award in 1972 for "Rose Garden".

South had met and was encouraged by Bill Lowery, an Atlanta music publisher and radio personality. He began his recording career in Atlanta with the National Recording Corporation, where he served as staff guitarist along with other NRC artists Ray Stevens and Jerry Reed. South's earliest recordings have been re-released by NRC on CD. He soon returned to Nashville with The Manrando Group and then onto Charlie Wayne Felts Promotions. (Charlie Wayne Felts is the cousin of Rockabilly Hall of Fame Inductee and Grand Ole Opry Member, Narvel Felts.)

South had his first top 50 hit in July 1958 with a cover version of the b-side of The Big Bopper's hit single Chantilly Lace, a novelty song called "The Purple People Eater Meets the Witch Doctor". After this South would concentrate mainly on songwriting.

In 1959, South wrote two songs which were recorded by Gene Vincent: "I Might Have Known", which was on the album Sounds Like Gene Vincent(Capitol Records, 1959), and "Gone Gone Gone", which was included on the album The Crazy Beat of Gene Vincent (Capitol Records, 1963).

South was also a prominent sideman, playing guitar on Tommy Roe's "Sheila", Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde album, and the classic tremolo intro on Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools". South played electric guitar on Simon & Garfunkel's second album, Sounds of Silence, although Al Gorgoni and/or Vinnie Bell feature on the title track.

Billy Joe Royal recorded five South songs: "Down in the Boondocks" (also covered in 1969 by Penny DeHaven), "I Knew You When", "Yo-Yo" (later a hit for The Osmonds), "Hush" (later a hit for Deep Purple, Somebody's Image with Russell Morris, and Kula Shaker), and "Rose Garden" (see below).

Responding to late 1960s issues, South's style changed radically, most evident in his biggest single, 1969's pungent, no-nonsense "Games People Play" (purportedly inspired by Eric Berne's book of the same name), a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Accompanied by a lush string sound, an organ, and brass, the production won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Song and the Grammy Award for Song of the Year. South followed up with "Birds of a Feather" (originally "Bubbled Under" at No. 106 on February 10–17, 1968, more successful as a cover by The Raiders that peaked on the Hot 100 at No. 23 on October 23–30, 1971) and two other soul-searchers, the back-to-nature "Don't It Make You Want to Go Home" (also covered eight months later by Brook Benton With The Dixie Flyers) and the socially provocative "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" (also covered by Elvis Presley in a Las Vegas era version, Bryan Ferry, and Coldcut).

South's most commercially successful composition was Lynn Anderson's 1971 country/pop monster hit "Rose Garden", which was a hit in 16 countries worldwide. Anderson won a Grammy Award for her vocals, and South earned two Grammy nominations for it, as Best Country Song and (general) Song of the Year. South wrote more hits for Anderson, such as "How Can I Unlove You" (Billboard Country No.1) and "Fool Me" (Billboard Country No. 3). Freddy Weller, Jeannie C. Riley, and Penny DeHaven also had hits on the Billboard country chart with South songs. In addition, other artists who have recorded South-penned songs include Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Carol Burnett, Andy Williams, Kitty Wells, Dottie West, Jim Nabors, Arlen Roth, Liz Anderson, The Georgia Satellites, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Ike & Tina Turner, Hank Williams Jr., James Taylor, the Tams, and k. d. lang, although most covered versions of South's best known songs. 

(Walkin' the floor)

(Feelin' so blue)

(Smoke cigarettes)

(Drink coffee, too)

I just lay here at night

Toss and I turn

Lovin' you so

How my heart yearns

You're the reason

I don't sleep at night (Don't sleep at night)

Walkin' the floor

Feelin' so blue

Smoke cigarettes

Drink coffee, too

You're the reason

I don't sleep at night (Don't sleep at night)

I'm bettin'

You're not losin' sleep over me

But if I'm wrong

Don't fail to call

You can keep me company (Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa)

Sometimes I go for a walk

Take a look at the moon

Strum my guitar

Sing a love tune

Honey, you're the reason

I don't sleep at night (Don't sleep at night)

(Walkin' the floor)

(Feelin' so blue)

(Smoke cigarettes)

(Drink coffee, too)

(Strum my guitar)

(Look at the moon)

(Losin' my sleep over you)

I'm bettin'

You're not losin' sleep over me

But if I'm wrong

Don't fail to call

You can keep me company (Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa)

Sometimes I go for a walk

Take a look at the moon

Strum my guitar

And sing a love tune

Honey, you're the reason

I don't sleep at night (Don't sleep at night)

(Walkin' the floor)

(Feelin' so blue)

(Smoke cigarettes)

(Drink coffee, too)

(Strum my guitar)

(Look at the moon)

(Losin' my sleep over you)

You're the reason

You're the reason

You're the reason

You're the reason

You're the reason.