BERLIN IN WINTER

CUTTING CREW
SONGWRITER: LOU GRAMM & MICK JONES
COUNTRY: U. K.
ALBUM: AD TO FAVOURITES
LABEL: IN LIKE FLYNN
GENRE: ROCK
YEAR: 2015
 
          Cutting Crew are an English rock band formed in London in 1985. They are best remembered for their debut álbum Broadcast and hit singles, "(I Just) Died in Your Arms", "I've Been in Love Before", "One for the Mockingbird", and "Everything But My Pride".
          At the end of 2018, Cutting Crew had announced, through their social networks, they had plans to release a new album featuring "new songs and new versions of CC classics." Although they did not have any new releases for 2019, a press release made by January of the following year announced the release for their second official worldwide compilation album titled Ransomed Healed Restored Forgiven, featuring nine songs from their past catalogue reworked as orchestral renditions, as well as other versions. Soon afterwards, the release date was announced on 27 March 2020 by Van Eede in a short video through the Cutting Crew official Facebook page. On the same day, they released the lead single for this project, an 8-track digital EP of their signature song "(I Just) Died in Your Arms", which also received a physical release, as well as a brand new video for the song uploaded on YouTube. The album was released on 24 April 2020, through August Day label, on digital platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. But due to logistics limitations during the COVID-19 pandemic, its physical release was delayed until 8 May 2020. Along with its other formats there is a limited box edition containing 3 different CDs, as well as the physical CD edition of the reworked (I Just) Died in Your Arms EP, and a postcard signed by Van Eede himself. To promote the album, Van Eede spoke to several media outlets, such as American Songwriter and Forbes. This greatest hits album has since spanned a second single, the orchestral version of the Broadcast single "One for the Mockingbird". On 5 August 2020, it was announced a vinyl limited edition, with only 300 copies pressed, would be available for purchase solely through DTC, making this the first vinyl edition of one of the band's releases since The Scattering. After Van Eede stated he had planned to do some concerts held in England in 2021 to support the album, the band announced on 7 September 2020 they will be the opening act for Go West's upcoming tour in 2021.
          Berlin Winter’ recalls the fall of the Berlin Wall and features some lovely sax playing from John Helliwell of Supertramp fame. The musical backdrop on this one makes it special, along with another top notch vocal performance.


I stared at the Berlin wall
A no man's land of faded loyalties
Seems funny but it's not at all
And I can't see the eyes of the enemy
The silence was screaming
My world, it started shivering
They said it was the coldest night
In years, oh-oh
 
And it was Berlin in winter
 
I worked on the Berlin wall
Forced each day, we built our inheritance
Not sure what it all was for
Underneath this flag of convenience
My fingers were bleedin'
[?] searchlights dazzling
They said it was the darkest night
In years, oh-oh
 
And it was Berlin in winter
Just Berlin in winter
Like Berlin in winter
 
I danced on the Berlin wall
Fallen now, we drowned in the melody
There's nobody there to break my fall
I'm puttin' my trust in the arms of humanity
Don't burn me, unfurl me
Ice me up and fly to reverie
We said it was the coldest night
They said it was the darkest night
They said it was the longest night
In years, oh-oh
 
And it was Berlin in winter
Just Berlin in winter
Like Berlin in winter
Berlin in winter. 

THAT WAS YESTERDAY

FOREIGNER
SONGWRITERS: KELLY HANSEN; MARTI FREDERIKSEN & MICK JONES
COUNTRY: U. K. +U. S. A.
ALBUM: AGENT PROVOCATEUR
LABEL: ATLKANTIC RECORDS
GENRE: ROCK AND ROLL
YEAR: 1984
 
        Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in New York City in 1976 by veteran British musician and ex–Spooky Tooth member Mick Jones, and fellow Briton and ex–King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm.
       Jones came up with the band's name as he, McDonald and Dennis Elliott were British, while Gramm, Al Greenwood and Ed Gagliardi were American. Their biggest hit single, "I Want to Know What Love Is", topped the United Kingdom and United States charts among others. Another one of their hit singles, "Waiting for a Girl Like You", peaked at number two on the US chart for a record-setting 10 weeks. They are one of the world's best-selling bands of all time with worldwide sales of more than 80 million records, including 37.5 million records in the US.
     Current band members are Kelly Hansen (frontman and percussion); Mick Jones (lead and rhythm guitar, keyboard, backing and lead vocals); Thom Gimbel (rhythm guitar, keyboard, backing vocals, saxophone, and flute); Jeff Pilson (bass and backing vocals); Michael Bluestein (keyboard and backing vocals); Bruce Watson (lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals); and Chris Frazier (drums and percussion).
            Agent Provocateur is the fifth studio album by the British-American rock band Foreigner, released on December 7, 1984. The album was the band's first and only number one album in the United Kingdom, and it reached the top 5 in the United States. Although album sales were lower than their previous work in the U.S., it contains the band's biggest hit single, "I Want to Know What Love Is", which is their only #1 single in the UK and the U.S., staying at the top spot for three and two weeks respectively. The follow-up single, "That Was Yesterday", also proved to be a sizeable hit, peaking at #12 in the U.S. The album was certified Platinum in the UK by the BPI, and triple Platinum in the U.S. by the RIAA

I thought I knew you well
But all this time
I could never tell
I let you get away
Haunts me every night and every day
You
Were the only one
The only friend that I counted on
How
Could I watch you walk away?
I'd give anything to have you here today
But now
I stand alone with my pride
And dream
That you're still by my side
 
But that was yesterday
I had the world in my hands
But it's not the end of my world
It's just a slight change of plans
That was yesterday
But today life goes on
No more hiding in yesterday
'Cause yesterday's gone
Ooh
 
Love
My love I gave it all
Thought I saw the light
When I heard you call
Life
That we both could share
Has deserted me
Left me in despair
But now
I stand alone with my pride
Fighting back the tears
I never let myself cry
But that was yesterday
Love was took from my hands
But it's not the end of my world
It's just a little hard to understand
That was yesterday
But today life goes on
You won't find me in yesterday's world
Now yesterday's gone
Goodbye yesterday
Now it's over and done
Still I hope somewhere deep in your heart
Yesterday will live on
Ooh!

IL FAUT S’AIMER PLUS FORT

SANDRA KIM
COMPOSITEURES: BORIS FOMIN; KONSTANTIN PODREVSKY; GENE RASKIN & ROSARIO MARINO-ATRIA
PAYS: BELGIQUE
ALBUM: LES SIXTIES
RECORD: MARINO MUSIC
GENRE: POP
ANNÉE: 2020
 
            
           Sandra Kim, de son vrai nom Sandra Caldarone, est une chanteuse belge, née le 15 octobre 1972 à Montegnée (Saint-Nicolas, près de Liège).
      Elle a gagné le concours Eurovision de la chanson 1986 pour la Belgique. Elle détient le record de la plus jeune gagnante de l'Eurovision car elle n'avait que 13 ans à l'époque et ses managers avaient prétendu qu'elle en avait 15. En 1990, le règlement de l'Eurovision a changé pour imposer un âge minimum de 16 ans. De ce fait, elle reste la plus jeune gagnante du concours.
Elle est aussi l’interprète original du générique du dessin animé Il était une fois la vie, écrit par Albert Barillé.
       Elle est l'aînée des deux filles de Giuseppe Caldarone et Anna Capobianco. Sa sœur porte le prénom de Barbara en hommage à Barbra Streisand.
        Italienne de naissance, issue de la troisième génération de l'immigration italienne, elle prend la nationalité belge à 18 ans, selon les possibilités légales. Sa famille paternelle est originaire de la province de Chieti, dans les Abruzzes, en Italie centrale et sa mère est d'origine napolitaine.
         Encore italienne, elle est choisie par Michel Daerden à Namur pour représenter la Belgique au Concours Eurovision de la chanson qui doit avoir lieu en Norvège, le 3 mai 1986. Elle remportera le concours avec la chanson J'aime la vie alors qu'elle n'a que 13 ans. Son jeune âge et la polémique que ce dernier suscitera amènera l'UER à fixer à 16 ans l'âge limite pour participer au concours en 1990. De ce fait, Sandra Kim demeure la plus jeune gagnante de l'histoire du concours, et son record ne sera jamais battu à moins d'un changement dans les règles. Elle est également l'une des deux dernières francophones avec Céline Dion à emporter le concours. Suite à cette victoire, Sandra Kim sera également choisie pour interpréter le générique de la série Il était une fois... la Vie. Après un début intense durant 2 ans et demi (mai 1986 – fin 1988), pendant les albums J'aime la vie et Bien dans ma peau, sa carrière a connu des hauts et des bas, et son image fut souvent réduite au succès de J'aime la vie. Elle a plus tard confié aux journalistes qu'elle se sentait a posteriori étouffée par le succès de cette chanson. Au début des années 1990, elle a coprésenté Dix qu'on aime avec Alain Simons sur RTL-TVI, puis elle a fait partie pendant deux saisons du jury de l'émission Pour la gloire sur la RTBF. En 1990, Sandra Kim a chanté devant le roi Baudouin Ier à l'occasion des fêtes organisées pour son 60e anniversaire et le 40e anniversaire de son règne. Elle chantait avec le chanteur belge Luc Steeno(nl) la chanson J'aime mon pays/Ik hou van mijn land.

Quand ton horoscope
Est dans le rouge,
Quand t'as pas envie
De te lever,
Quand mes rêves galopent,
Que rien ne bouge,
Quand tu m'dis : " J'vais pas
Y arriver, ... "
 
REFRAIN:
Il faut s'aimer plus fort
Pour conjurer le sort,
 
Pour échapper à la mélancolie
Il faut s'aimer plus fort
Et se dire corps à corps
Qu'on peut changer
D'un seul coup toute sa vie
 
Nananana Nana
Nananana Nana
Nanana Nananananana
 
Je suis accrochée
A ma planète
Toi, tu m'dis solvente
" Faut pas rêver ! ",
Qu'on est des poupées,
Des marionnettes
Et qu'on ne change pas
Sa destinée...
 
REFRAIN:
Il faut s'aimer plus fort
Pour conjurer le sort,
Pour échapper à la morosité
Il faut s'aimer plus fort
Et rêver corps à corps
Au bonheur fou
Qui va nous arriver...
 
....
 
Y a toujours un soir,
Une seconde
Où la chance s'arrête
Juste à tes pieds
Mais tous les pouvoirs,
Tout l'or du monde
 
Ne valent pas un seul
De tes baisers
 
REFRAIN:
Il faut s'aimer plus fort
Pour conjurer le sort,
Pour échapper à la mélancolie
Il faut s'aimer plus fort
Et se dire corps à corps
Qu'on peut changer
D'un seul coup toute sa vie
 
Nananana Nana
Nananana Nana
Nanana Nananananana
Nananana Nana
Nananana Nana
Nananaai
Nananananana
 
REFRAIN FINAL:
Il faut s'aimer plus fort
Et rêver corps à corps
Au bonheur fou
Qui va nous arriver...

STAY ON THIS ROADS

A-HA
SONGWRITERS: MAGNE FURUHOLMEN; MORTEN HARKET & PǺL WAAKTAAR
COUNTRY: NORWAY
ALBUM: STAY ON THE ROADS
LABEL: WARNER BROS
GENRE: NEW WAVE
YEAR: 1988
 
         A-há (usually stylised as a-ha; Norwegian pronunciation: [ɑˈhɑː]) is a Norwegian synth-pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. Founded by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (guitars), Magne Furuholmen (keyboards, guitars), and Morten Harket (vocals), the band rose to fame during the mid-1980s.
            A-ha achieved their biggest success with their debut álbum Hunting High and Low in 1985. That album peaked at number one in their native country Norway, number 2 in the UK, and number 15 on the US Billboard album chart; yielded two international number-one singles: "Take On Me" and "The Sun Always Shines on T.V."; and earned the band a Grammy Award nomination as Best New Artist. In the UK, Hunting High and Low continued its chart success into the following year, becoming one of the best-selling albums of 1986. The band released studio albums in 1986, 1988, and 1990, with single hits including "Hunting High and Low", "The Living Daylights", "Stay on These Roads", and "Crying in the Rain". In 1994, after their fifth studio album, Memorial Beach (1993), failed to achieve the commercial success of their previous albums, the band went on hiatus.
             Following a performance at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in 1998, A-ha recorded their sixth album, 2000's Minor Earth Major Sky, which was another number-one album in Norway and Germany. This album was followed by Lifelines (2002); Analogue (2005), which was certified Silver in the UK; and Foot of the Mountain (2009), which was certified Silver in the UK and reached the Top Five 5 in many European countries.
           On 15 October 2009, the band announced they would split after the 2010 worldwide Ending on a High Note Tour. Thousands of fans from at least 40 different countries on six continents congregated to see A-ha for the last leg of the tour.
             On 4 December 2014, A-ha officially announced its participation at Rock in Rio 2015, which celebrated 30 years for both the band and the event. In 2015, it was announced that A-ha would re-unite and their tenth studio album, Cast in Steel, was released on 4 September 2015, and the band toured in support of the album.
      The band has released ten studio albums, several compilations and four live albums. In less than a year, during 2010, the band earned an estimated 500 million Norwegian kroner from concert tickets, merchandise and the release of a greatest hits album, making them one of the 40–50 highest-grossing bands in the world. The band were listed in the Guinness World Records book for having the biggest-paying rock concert attendance; they drew an audience of 198,000 at Maracanã Stadium during Rock in Rio festival. Their exact sale figures are somewhat controversial; according to their label, Rhino Entertainment, they have sold 55 million records, but other sources assert that they have sold more than 100 million units, albums and singles combined.
            Stay on These Roads is the third studio album by Norwegian band A-ha. It was released on 3 May 1988 by Warner Bros. Records. Six singles were released from the album.
       The album peaked at number 148 on the US Billboard 200. It was another big hit by A-ha internationally, selling over 4 million copies worldwide. Stay on These Roads achieved Platinum status in Brazil and Gold in the UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany and Double Platinum status in France. It reached number two in the European top-100 albums sales chart.
           William Ruhlmann of AllMusic said "in the U.K., the album became the group's third straight to peak at number two, though it charted for a shorter period than the first two albums, and there were four Top 25 hits—the title track, 'The Blood That Moves the Body,' 'Touchy!,' and 'You Are the One'." Also included was a re-recording of A-ha's 1987 theme from the James Bond movie The Living Daylights, which, in its single version, was a U.K. number five that missed the U.S. charts.
              Lead single "Stay on These Roads", number one in Norway, was a hit across Europe, including top-five showings in the UK, France, Austria and Ireland and top-ten chartings in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. Stay on These Roads includes three more hit singles, "The Blood That Moves The Body", "Touchy!" and "You Are the One", though a final single, "There's Never a Forever Thing", was released only in Brazil. None of the singles charted on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Cold has a voice
It talks to me
Stillborn by choice
It airs no need
To hold
 
Oh, old man feels the cold
Oh, baby, don't
'Cause I've been told
Stay on these roads
We shall meet, I know
Stay on, my love
We shall meet, I know
I know
 
Where joy should reign
These skies restrain
Shadow your love
The voice trails off again
The voice trails off again
 
Oh, old man feels the cold
Oh, baby, don't
Cause I've been told
 
Stay on these roads
We shall meet, I know
Stay on, my love
You feel so weak, be strong
Stay on, stay on
We shall meet, I know, I know
I know, my love, I know
(Feels the cold)
Winter's gone, I'm on my own
 
Stay on these roads
We shall meet, I know
Stay on, my love
We will meet, I know
So stay on, I know
Stay my love, stay on
We will meet, I know, I know.