I've posted here before, I'm sure, but my daddy too was an actor in the movies, appearing opposite the likes of Richard Burton, Dustin Hoffman, Christopher Plummer and John Gielgud. Well, he died a year ago this year and this Amanda McBroom song sums up entirely just how I've been feeling. It's great therapy, actually. Brings the tears on easy like a twilight shower.
She may be singing a song about Erol Flynn, but she sings it with such feeling that we can relate to the passing of all our parents. A most remarkable artist. A great and yet even underrated. I love you Miss Cook. Thank you
She's not singing about Errol Flynn. She's singing about all those actors and actresses whose stars shone briefly, too briefly, in a bygone era. And today, when we remember them (if we remember them at all), it's only because of their association with performers whose stars shone brighter and longer (". . . luck kisses some, and she passes by others . . ."). The brighter stars being Errol Flynn, Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Bette Davis, etc. This beautiful song was written by Amanda McBroom. She wrote it about her father David Bruce, a very talented actor who appeared in Hollywood films from about 1940 to 1956. She was smart not to mention him by name --- therefore making this song a tribute to ALL those wonderful performers whose names we see way down the credits list, far below the likes of Errol Flynn.
My daughter heard this song being sung at a concert a few years ago when she was 12. She was reduced to tears! I have tried forever to find it. Now she can learn the song and sing it at her school summer concert this year. Thank you so much.
I saw her live in London on 3 occasions. She was far from young, even then, but what a talent. The audience was totally spellbound. So sad to hear that she has passed away.
In the hall on the wall in a house in Reseda Is a poster held up by two nails and a pin - It's my Daddy, the actor, 'bout to die with his boots on; He's the man standing up there beside Errol Flynn. He got third or fourth billing at the end of each picture. "That don't mean much," he would say with a grin, But he held my hand tight as he pointed his name out Only four or five names down below Errol Flynn. Now fame, it is fleeting, and stars, they keep falling, And stayin' right up there, that's the business of art; And luck kisses some and she passes by others - Disappointment and bourbon are hard on the heart. Now the women and beers and the years with old Errol, They took their toll and took me from his side. He kissed me goodbye at the old Union Station; That's the last time I saw him, the last time I cried. Now I'm sitting alone in a house in Reseda Watching the late show while the moonlight shines in, And up on the screen, well, here comes my Daddy. It's a sad, funny feeling; now I'm older than him. So you daddies and daughters, you sons and you mothers, Remember life's over before it begins. So love one another, and stand close together, As close as my Dad did to old Errol Flynn. (By Amanda McBroom)
As for the wonderful Miss Cook ... I got to see her the once when she'd flown over to London to sing at a memorial service for her 'She Loves Me' co-star, Daniel Massey who was also a good friend of my da's. She is just wonderful and I can only thank here for all here music that I have enjoyed so much; and don't you just lovely Wally Harper's accompanient too.
@meltzerboy Wow! Wonderful singing, and the song has a really touching message. I found out that Cook was the original Cunegonde; no surprise, then, that her technique is rock-solid! Thanks for sharing, meltzerboy, and thank you, AllanWo, for posting!
Never heard of BC. the song caught my ear while milking my cows and listinging to something folk or something like that on NPR. I caught the Flynn part and loved the song ever since. I love E.F.! And all his movies! That is the the fantasy part. This song is the reality. PS. Hope BO fails!
Still love this song! Still love Flynn! Still hope bo fails! to those who disagree I would say, maybe not. Lets try to be gentlemen here! I'll give you people awhile longer with your affirmitive action CIC!
She is the master at telling a story in song.
With the great Wally Harper at the piano.
It doesn't get better.
I've posted here before, I'm sure, but my daddy too was an actor in the movies, appearing opposite the likes of Richard Burton, Dustin Hoffman, Christopher Plummer and John Gielgud. Well, he died a year ago this year and this Amanda McBroom song sums up entirely just how I've been feeling. It's great therapy, actually. Brings the tears on easy like a twilight shower.
Love this song and love Errol Flynn
The greatest - the song and Errol Flynn!
Discovered this the day Barbara passed. So lovely. Makes me a teary mess.
Such a beautiful song, sung beautifully by Barbara .
love this song love Flynn thank you great emotional song ,makes me cry every time I play it love it
She may be singing a song about Erol Flynn, but she sings it with such feeling that we can relate to the passing of all our parents. A most remarkable artist. A great and yet even underrated. I love you Miss Cook. Thank you
She's not singing about Errol Flynn. She's singing about all those actors and actresses whose stars shone briefly, too briefly, in a bygone era. And today, when we remember them (if we remember them at all), it's only because of their association with performers whose stars shone brighter and longer (". . . luck kisses some, and she passes by others . . ."). The brighter stars being Errol Flynn, Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Bette Davis, etc.
This beautiful song was written by Amanda McBroom. She wrote it about her father David Bruce, a very talented actor who appeared in Hollywood films from about 1940 to 1956. She was smart not to mention him by name --- therefore making this song a tribute to ALL those wonderful performers whose names we see way down the credits list, far below the likes of Errol Flynn.
My daughter heard this song being sung at a concert a few years ago when she was 12. She was reduced to tears! I have tried forever to find it. Now she can learn the song and sing it at her school summer concert this year. Thank you so much.
I love this beautiful song. It breaks my heart every time.
One of the best songs ever written sung.by the one of the greats and for me the greatest. So love you Barbara and miss you
I saw Barbara Cook in St. Louis years ago. She sang this and I was enthralled. Sad, sweet, and simply wonderful.
This is my come to song for crying..such brilliance at emotion
Just beautiful. Who can better Barbara Cook at her very best? Thank you so much for posting.
Will never forget watching her and Wally sound check this in Milwaukee. A great artist, a great human.
Sensational! I find it hard to believe her to be 76 years old. TY.Nate.
What a bittersweet song. This is a wonderful performance. She makes it feel like she is singing for you alone. A lovely intimate performance. Thanks
I saw her live in London on 3 occasions. She was far from young, even then, but what a talent. The audience was totally spellbound. So sad to hear that she has passed away.
Absolute magic
Just heard the sad news that Barbara Cook is no longer with us. Thank you so very much, Barbara for so much good music xx
Thanx many thanks
In the hall on the wall in a house in Reseda
Is a poster held up by two nails and a pin -
It's my Daddy, the actor, 'bout to die with his boots on;
He's the man standing up there beside Errol Flynn.
He got third or fourth billing at the end of each picture.
"That don't mean much," he would say with a grin,
But he held my hand tight as he pointed his name out
Only four or five names down below Errol Flynn.
Now fame, it is fleeting, and stars, they keep falling,
And stayin' right up there, that's the business of art;
And luck kisses some and she passes by others -
Disappointment and bourbon are hard on the heart.
Now the women and beers and the years with old Errol,
They took their toll and took me from his side.
He kissed me goodbye at the old Union Station;
That's the last time I saw him, the last time I cried.
Now I'm sitting alone in a house in Reseda
Watching the late show while the moonlight shines in,
And up on the screen, well, here comes my Daddy.
It's a sad, funny feeling; now I'm older than him.
So you daddies and daughters, you sons and you mothers,
Remember life's over before it begins.
So love one another, and stand close together,
As close as my Dad did to old Errol Flynn.
(By Amanda McBroom)
As for the wonderful Miss Cook ... I got to see her the once when she'd flown over to London to sing at a memorial service for her 'She Loves Me' co-star, Daniel Massey who was also a good friend of my da's. She is just wonderful and I can only thank here for all here music that I have enjoyed so much; and don't you just lovely Wally Harper's accompanient too.
@meltzerboy
Wow! Wonderful singing, and the song has a really touching message. I found out that Cook was the original Cunegonde; no surprise, then, that her technique is rock-solid! Thanks for sharing, meltzerboy, and thank you, AllanWo, for posting!
I like that song very much. Fine singing about the hero himself, Errol Flynn
barbara cook/amanda mcbroom/errol flynn--simply fantastic
God that was so beautiful! Thanks for posting it.
Love her. Can't wait to see her at Avery fisher. thank you!
As good as ever.Amanda Broom who wrote the song also does a wonderful version.
Love it! Do you have Barbara Cook doing "Sweet Dreams?"
The only one who sings this better is Amanda McBroom...but then, it is about her father.
Never heard of BC. the song caught my ear while milking my cows and listinging to something folk or something like that on NPR. I caught the Flynn part and loved the song ever since. I love E.F.! And all his movies! That is the the fantasy part. This song is the reality.
PS. Hope BO fails!
Still love this song! Still love Flynn! Still hope bo fails! to those who disagree I would say, maybe not. Lets try to be gentlemen here! I'll give you people awhile longer with your affirmitive action CIC!