CHRISTMAS IN HARLEM
KANYE WEST
SONGWRITER: MARVIN p. GAYE; CHAUNCEY HOLLIS; SHUGGIE OTIS; KANYE WEST & CYDELL YOUNG
COUNTRY: U. S. A.
ALBUM: CRISTMAS IN HARLEM
LABEL: ROS-A-FELLA
GENRE: HIP HOP
YEAR: 2010
 
              Kanye Omari West (/ˈkɑːnjeɪ/; born June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, record producer, and fashion designer. Throughout his career, West has been responsible for cultural movements and musical progressions within mainstream hip-hop and popular music at large. Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, he was first known as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the early 2000s, producing singles for several mainstream artists. Intent on pursuing a solo career as a rapper, West released his debut álbum The College Dropout in 2004 to critical and commercial success, and founded the record label GOOD Music.
                West experimented with a variety of musical genres on subsequent acclaimed studio albums, including Late Registration (2005), Graduation (2007), and 808s & Heartbreak (2008). Drawing inspiration from maximalism and minimalism, respectively, West's fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010) and sixth album Yeezus (2013) were also critical successes. He went on to release The Life of Pablo (2016), Ye (2018), and Jesus Is King (2019). West's discography also includes the full-length collaborations Watch the Throne (2011) and Kids See Ghosts (2018) with Jay-Z and Kid Cudi, respectively.
             West's outspoken views and life outside of music have received significant media attention. He has been a frequent source of controversy for his conduct at award shows, on social media, and in other public settings, as well as for his comments on the music and fashion industries, U.S. politics, and race. In July 2020 he launched an ongoing independent presidential campaign. West has no mathematical chance of victory in the election nor is he on the ballot everywhere in the nation; he maintains that he is a serious candidate though the campaign has been derided for West's perceived being a spoiler candidate and for the possibility that his campaign will pull votes from Democratic nominee Joe Biden; he indeed admitted to both of these criticisms in an interview with Forbes magazine that August. His Christian faith, as well as his marriage to television personality Kim Kardashian, have also been a source of media attention. As a fashion designer, he has collaborated with Nike, Louis Vuitton, and A.P.C. on both clothing and footwear, and have most prominently resulted in the Yeezy collaboration with Adidas beginning in 2013. He is the founder and head of the creative content company DONDA.
                West is one of the world's best-selling music artists, with more than 20 million albums and 140 million singles sold worldwide. He has won a total of 21 Grammy Awards, making him one of the most awarded artists of all time. Among his other awards include the Billboard Artist Achievement Award, a joint-record three Brit Awards for Best International Male Solo Artist and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Six of his albums have been included on Rolling Stone's 2020 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list; the same publication named him one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. West is the tied holder for the most albums (four) topping the annual Pazz & Jop critic poll. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005 and 2015.
            "Christmas in Harlem" is a song by hip-hop recording artist Kanye West. The track features rapper Cyhi the Prynce and R&B singer Teyana Taylor, both of whom are signed to West's label GOOD Music. Produced by Hit-Boy, the song contains samples of "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)", both by soul musician Marvin Gaye, and "Strawberry Letter 23" by singer-songwriter Shuggie Otis. The track features a holiday theme, and features various references to Christmas and customs associated with the holiday.
               Originally released as a part of West's free music giveaway series GOOD Fridays, the song was later released as a single onto iTunes on December 17, 2010. The song received positive reviews from critics, who complimented its lyrics and compared it favorably to other Christmas-themed hip-hop songs.

[Teyana Taylor - Chorus]
Christmas in Harlem
right after autumn falls
soaking it all in
then we go hit the mall
even though we ain't balling
feels like we bought it all
the mistletoe's right here
come give a kiss to Santa Claus
 
[Kanye West - Verse 1]
Merry Christmas to all, and all a good night
huh, now we all living the good life
yeah, though it's forty below the wind chill
and we wiping snow up off the windshield
it's still, wonderful night to be alive, baby
and I'm, so happy I'm with my baby
and we a lil late with the Christmas gifts
rushing for the mall, don't trip, you know I drive crazy
the streets lit up, it feel like Christmas officially
told her that "You the star at the top of my Christmas tree"
my only question is, "Where my presents?"
she said, "Shhh," she got a gift for me that ain't for the kids to see
well, I like the way you think, mami
now pour some more eggnog in you drink, mami
got a surprise for you that ain't on your Christmas list-es
gave her the hot chocolate, she said "It's D-ricious"
 
[Teyana Taylor - Chorus]
Christmas in Harlem
right after autumn falls
soaking it all in
then we go hit the mall (I'm like Bad Santa, though)
even though we ain't balling (You might have to sit on my lap)
feels like we bought it all (Ho, ho, ho)
the mistletoe's right here
come give a kiss to Santa Claus
 
[Cyhi the Prince]
First, I wanted to say Merry Christmas to y'all
for Santa Claus, so bake a turkey, burn a few logs
I be there soon, on my sled, me and Rudolph
thugs think I'm a Blood 'cause I won't take this red suit off
ha, I swear I got the freshest wardrobe
I let my beard grow 'cause it's cold in the North Pole
her voice slow 'cause "I always got a sore throat"
okay, stop it, no more jokes
you never see me 'cause I shop when the stores close
and my sleigh go faster than the Porsche go
ha, I got nine reindeers
that's Dancer, that's Prancer on the fourth flo'
that's Comet, that's Cupid, that's Vixen
that's Donner, that's Dasher, that's Blitzen
happy kwanzaa, and for the ones that aren't Christian
everybody gets gifts as long as I'm living
so look forward to having
 
[Teyana Taylor - Chorus]
Christmas in Harlem
right after autumn falls
soaking it all in
then we go hit the mall
even though we ain't balling
feels like we bought it all
the mistletoe's right here
come give a kiss to Santa Claus
 
All the flashing lights up on a tree
the house lit up nice
with your family's where you wanna be
here on Christmas night
when you wake up and you see the gifts
don't that make you feel good?
so since we all snowed in in Harlem
let's have Christmas in the hoo-hood
 
All of the flashing lights
yeah, when they shine so bright
always for you and me
baby, you're Christmas Eve
if you like what you see me
won't you come sit on my knee?
tell me everything that you want
cause, baby, I'm your Santa Claus
 
Christmas in Harlem
right after autumn falls
soaking it all in
then we go hit the mall
even though we ain't balling
feels like we bought it all
the mistletoe's right here
come give a kiss to Santa Claus
 
[Kanye West]
I peeped it, you know what?
need some reindeer for this one
I wanna hear sleigh bells on this one
got a new suit on this one
the newborn look too cute for this one
yeah, the new winter coat for this one
yeah, gotta let it snow on this one
huh, all the Christmas cheer for this one
the whole family up in here on this one
Yeah
 
[Teyana Taylor - Chorus]
Christmas in Harlem
Right after autumn falls
Soaking it all in
Then we gon' hit the mall
Even though we ain't balling
Feels like we bought it all
The mistletoe's right here
Come give a kiss to Santa Claus
(Au, au, au, au, au...).

LIVING A BOY'S ADVENTURE TALE

A-HA
SONGWRITER: PÅL WAAKTAAR & MORTEN HARKET
COUNTRY: NORWAY
ALBUM: HUNTING HIGH AND LOW
LABEL: WARNER BROS
GENRE: NEW WAVE
YEAR: 1985
 
              A-hA (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.
             Hunting High and Low is the debut studio album by Norwegian new wave band A-ha. It was released on 28 October 1985 by Warner Bros. Records. The album was a huge commercial success, reaching high positions on charts worldwide and peaking at number 15 on the US Billboard 200, eventually selling more than 11 million units worldwide. The album was recorded at Eel Pie Studios in Twickenham, London, and produced by Tony Mansfield, John Ratcliff and Alan Tarney.
       In all, five singles from the album were released, though not all were released internationally: "Take On Me", "Love Is Reason", "The Sun Always Shines on T.V.", "Train of Thought" and "Hunting High and Low". The group was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards in 1986, making A-ha the first Norwegian band to be nominated for a Grammy.
           As part of a re-release of their first two albums, Hunting High and Low was expanded and remastered in 2010.

I've fixed my dwelling for the night
Lights in pairs come passing by where do I hide?
I need some time now on my own
Leave my loneliness alone
To lick my wounds
 
Night has found me just in time to help me close my eyes here one more time
Living a boy's adventure tale
In so many ways
Living a boy's adventure tale
For so many days
I'm living a boy's adventure tale
Can't escape, if I wanted to
Living a boy's adventure tale
I may be dreaming but I feel awake
 
I've been lost in so many places
Seeked love in so many faces
 
A change of weather, the rain pours down
My head in hands, pressed to the ground
And where am I supposed to go now
 
Living a boy's adventure tale
In so many ways
Living a boy's adventure tale (aah)
Living a boy's adventure tale
A voice I hear
Living a boy's adventure tale
Singing a lullaby fine for me
Living a boy's adventure tale
Because of you
Living a boy's adventure
Oh you know it's true
Living a boy's adventure tale
In so many ways (aah)
For so many days
 
I love you
I love you
So many ways
A ahaa!

EU QUIS FUGIR DOS TEUS OLHOS

JOHNNY ALF
COMPOSITOR: JOHNNY ALF
PAÍS: BRASIL
ÁLBUM: JOHNNY ALF
GRAVADORA: PARLOPHONE
GÊNERO: BOSSA NOVA
ANO: 1965
 
               Em 1952, através de Dick Farney e Nora Ney, foi contratado como pianista da Cantina do César, de propriedade do radialista César de Alencar, dando início à sua carreira profissional. Ali, a atriz Mary Gonçalves ia lançar-se como cantora e escolheu três composições suas: "Estamos sós", "O que é amar" e "Escuta", para incluir no disco "Convite ao romance". Em seguida, foi convidado para integrar, como pianista, o conjunto que o violonista Fafá Lemos formou para tocar na boate Monte Carlo. Nessa época, a convite do produtor Ramalho Neto, gravou na Sinter seu primeiro disco, um 78 rpm, contendo duas músicas instrumentais (piano, violão e contrabaixo): "Falsete", de sua autoria, e "De cigarro em cigarro" (Luiz Bonfá). Por essa época, revezando com Newton Mendonça, tocou na boate Mandarim, depois no Clube da Chave e nas boates Drink e Plaza. Duas de suas composições começaram a se destacar: "Céu e mar" e "Rapaz de bem", compostas em 1953 e consideradas precursoras da bossa nova. (...)
             Em 1961, gravou na RCA seu primeiro LP, "Rapaz de bem", que trouxe suas canções “Escuta”, “O que é amar”, “Fim de semana em Eldorado”, “Ilusão à toa”, “Tudo distante de mim”, “Vem” e a faixa-título, além de “Feitiçaria”  (Custódio Mesquita e Evaldo Ruy), “Fuga” (Durval Ferreira), “Tema sem palavras” (Durval Ferreira e Maurício Einhorn), “Penso em você” (Paulo Soledade e Fernando Lobo) e “Que vou dizer eu” (Victor Freire e Klécius Caldas). Ainda nesse ano, recebeu um convite do compositor Chico Feitosa para tocar no show de bossa nova a ser realizado no Carnegie Hall de Nova York. Não viajou e permaneceu em São Paulo.
       A partir de 1965, realizou várias apresentações no interior de São Paulo. Foi também professor de música no Conservatório Meireles de São Paulo.
                No ano seguinte, lançou o LP “Johnny Alf”, contendo suas músicas “Canção pra disfarçar” e “Gismi”, ambas com José Briamonte, “Quase tudo Igual” (c/ Ari Francisco), “Eu quis fugir de teus olhos” (c/ Laércio Vieira), “Kaô Xangô”, “Céu alegre”, “Se eu te disser” e “Bossa só”, além de “Imenso do amor” (Durval Ferreira e Humberto Pires), “Samba sem balanço” (Vera Brasil), “Tudo que é preciso” (Durval Ferreira e Pedro Camargo) e “Eu só sei” (Armando Cavalcanti e Victor Freire), com arranjos de José Briamonte.

Eu, eu quis fugir dos teus olhos
Bem além de todas as saudades
E só fiz ficar repetir tanto do amor
Que nem sabia que havia em mim
 
Eu quis fugir dos teus olhos
Que me sabiam teu
Que me sorriam anjos
Eu só fiz te buscar
 
Só fiz te amar
Em tudo do melhor de mim
Em tudo até mais que sou
Neste amor que é meu amor por ti.

I GOT CAUGHT

LORETTA LYNN
SONGWRITERS: LORETTA LYNN & PEGGY SUE WELLS
COUNTRY: U. S. A.
ALBUM: DON’T COME HOME A DRNKIN’
LABEL: DECCA RECORDS
GENRE: COUNTRY MUSIC
YEAR: 1967
 
                Loretta Lynn (née Webb; born April 14, 1932) is an American singer songwriter. In a career which spans six decades in country music, Lynn has released multiple gold albums. She is famous for hits such as "You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)", "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)", "One's on the Way", "Fist City" and "Coal Miner's Daughter" along with the 1980 biographical film of the same name.
             Lynn has received numerous awards and other accolades for her groundbreaking role in country music, including awards from both the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music as a duet partner and an individual artist. She is the most awarded female country recording artist and the only female ACM Artist of the Decade (1970s). Lynn has scored 24 No. 1 hit singles and 11 number one albums. Lynn continues to tour, appear at the Grand Ole Opry and release new albums.
                     In November 2015, Lynn announced a March 2016 release: Full Circle, featuring Willie Nelson and Elvis Costello. The recording became Lynn's 40th album to make the Top 10 on Billboard's best selling country list and her album debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 200. The recording is combination of new songs and classics, and includes duets with Elvis Costello and Willie Nelson. Lynn's Christmas album White Christmas Blue was released in October 2016. In December of the same year, Full Circle was nominated for Country Album of the Year for the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.
                 Lynn's álbum Wouldn't It Be Great, the third album of her five-album deal with Legacy Recordings, was released in September 2018 after being delayed by health issues. Her health prompted Lynn to cancel all 2017 scheduled tour dates. Lynn was named Artist of a Lifetime by CMT in 2018. On June 25, 2019, The New York Times Magazine listed Loretta Lynn among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire. On October 19, 2019, Lifetime aired the highly anticipated movie Patsy & Loretta which highlighted the friendship of Lynn and Patsy Cline. Lynn attended the Nashville release of the film.
                Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind) is the ninth solo studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It was released on February 6, 1967, by Decca Records.

You're standin' there a sayin' I'm no good and I'm so ashamed I'd die if I could
But you're no better than I am or have you given this one thought
The only thing that's different I got caught
Over night you left me all alone and the only arms close to me was my own
And now you're blame on me but it's not all my fault
The only thing that's different I got caught
 
Yeah I got caught but honey you're a pro
There's not a thing about cheatin' you don't know
That same old line you sell is the same old line I bought
The thing you've got away with I got caught
Yeah I got caught
Yeah the thing you've got away with I got caught.