Reflections: I Can See Clearly Now…
“Where words fail, music speaks.” Hans Christian Andersen
Reflections: I Can See Clearly Now... Music is memory, clarity, love...
I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash
I was listening to the radio recently, NPR.org, and suddenly the song, I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash, came on as a guest was being interviewed. If I recall correctly, it was one of the songs that influenced the interviewee’s musical evolution. As it played, time stopped, everything floated away, and I was transported back to my days in London when songs like that one and the others below were what I believed or imagined would be my swan songs. We learned the songs, memorized the lyrics and sang along… Where did all that wonderful, catchy music go? Where did all the breezy, romantic melodies and serious guitar strumming go? I can say they are here in these good old songs… If life has thrown some dark clouds your way, this song will help make it a sunny day. Enjoy the lyrics and sing along … More below
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothing but blue skies
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day. (Lyrics via StLyrics.com)
“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.” Kahlil Gibran
Reflections: I Can See Clearly Now... black or white, we go where the music calls our hearts
Do you remember this one? This was a huge hit in London and I had a blast singing along to it… Now, I loved the rhythm to this song, it was a bold song ahead of its time, and my friends and I used to sing the refrain for fun and we just rocked it. At the time, I never really understood what they were jamming about on the song; we just loved singing along… It had some pretty cool parts and now that I see the lyrics, I am even more taken by the message of the song… There is no difference as far as music and love is concerned. We go where our hearts are called…black or white. Brother Louie was a favorite. More below… 😉
She was black as the night, Louie was whiter than white
Danger, danger when you taste brown sugar, Louie fell in love over night
Hey man, what’s wrong with that? Nothing bad, it was good, Louie had the best girl he could
When she took him home to meet her mama and papa, Louie knew just where he stood
Louie Louie Louie, Louie Louie Louie, Louie Louie Louie, Louie you’re gonna cry
All right, what’s all this about? I love her, man
Oh yeah, man, let me tell you, I don’t want no honky in my family, you dig? No honky in my family
See what I mean, Louie really caused a scene. He did… I tell you,
Ain’t no diff’rence ‘tween black or white. Brothers, you know what I mean
Louie Louie Louie, Louie Louie Louie, Louie Louie Louie, Louie you’re gonna cry
There he stood, in the night, knowing what’s wrong from what’s right
He took her home to his mama and papa, Louie had a terrible fright
What’s goin’ on? Well, we’re in love
Now listen, let me tell you, I don’t want no spook in my family. Get it? No spook in my family
See what I mean, Louie really caused a scene. He did … I tell you,
Ain’t no diff’rence ‘tween black or white. Brothers, you know what I mean
Louie Louie Louie …. Lyrics via MetroLyrics.com
“Life is like music; it must be composed by ear, feeling, and instinct, not by rule.” Samuel Butler
Reflections: I Can See Clearly Now... Janice and Hazel kept us dancing & enthralled...
A Taste of Honey – Boogie Oogie Oogie
Boogie Oogie Oogie – A Taste Of Honey
Okay, so I just had to add two videos on this one… I wanted everyone to have both a visual rendition of the fantastic ladies doing their song and then a clear vinyl version that highlights all the notes in the song… If you remember the lovely ladies of A Taste of Honey; Janice Marie Johnson and Hazel Payne, you’d agree that they were ahead of their time musically and could strum those guitars and make them scream. I still move my body whenever I hear this song and yes, the lyrics still rock. Go on, sing along… no one is watching. 😆 Nevertheless, when the dust settles and we pick up the pieces of our lives and move forward, music is a great source of comfort; a lyrical healer. I can see clearly now…
If you’re thinkin’ you’re too cool to boogie
Boy oh boy have I got news for you
Everybody here tonight must boogie
Let me tell ya’ you are no exception to the rule
Get on up on the floor
Cuz we’re gonna boogie oogie oogie
Till you just can’t boogie no more (boogie)
Boogie no more
You can’t boogie no more (boogie)
Boogie no more, listen to the music
There’s no time to waste, let’s get this show on the road
Listen to the music and let your body flow
The sooner we begin the longer we’ve got to groove
Listen to the music and let your body move
Now get on up on the floor
Cuz we’re gonna boogie oogie oogie
Till you just can’t boogie no more (boogie)
Boogie no more
You can’t boogie no more (boogie)
Boogie no more, listen to my bass here
Get down, boogie oogie oogie
Get down, boogie oogie oogie
Get down, boogie oogie oogie
Get down. Lyrics via Lyricsmode.com
What are your thoughts? Do you have music from way back when? What memories come to mind when you hear them? If you could bring any song back, which one will you choose? Do share! Thank you. 😉
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Plinky:Name a musical artist or group that you’d enjoy performing with. Any specific song you’d want to play? Would you sing or play an instrument? and WP Daily Post: Getting into the Zone. How about you — does listening to music help or distract you when writing? Do you have any other rituals that help you get into writing mode?
Positive Motivation Tip: Music is memory, clarity, love and good vibes; enjoy the sensory massage.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Boogie Oogie Oogie cover via Wikipedia or I Can See Clearly Now by Katerha, Music at Harvard Station via Carol Nichols, via Flickr
Fair Use Disclaimer for Boogie Oogie Oogie cover: Fair use of Boogie Oogie Oogie cover – Though this image is subject to copyright, its use is covered by the U.S. fair use laws because: # It illustrates an educational article about the entity that the logo represents. # The image is used as the primary means of visual identification of the article topic. # It is a low resolution image, and thus not suitable for production of counterfeit goods. # The logo is not used in such a way the a reader would be confused into believing that the article is written or authorized by the owner of the logo. # It is not replaceable with an un-copyrighted or freely copyrighted image of comparable educational value.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Thanks for this reminder 🙂 It’s not the obstacles, but the dark clouds…
The emergency question is a great tool to define priorities; thank you, Eliz 🙂
TY Maria! Glad you loved it… and yes, the dark clouds do pass… with a little music to boot. 🙂
very sweet.
I have a little tale for you.
several years ago I did this impromptu/ surprise singing group… we rehearsed “I Can See Clearly Now” (or whatever the name is) and then positioned ourselves through out this large grocery store. On cue, someone who was appointed began singing that sound loudly. We had it so that we all began to chime in, as if spontaneously inspired through out the store to participate and sing along. No one knew we were together. There were about 12 of us. A couple of random folks even sang a bit too! Then we left at different times… It was pretty fun and positively sneaky but in the best way!!
Oh WOW!!! Now that must have been an amazing experience… I can see the energy in that store lift right through the roof… Love your story. TY for stopping by and I will return the visit. TY! 🙂
Sun-Shiny day!!!! I love the songs here especially,
hehe…I Can See Clearly Now!
OH thanks Elizabeth, just enjoyed the sensory massage 🙂
Te he! I get it… Right up your alley Sunshine. Glad you loved the songs and the first is naturally one of my favs too. TY! 🙂
There’s a great version of I Can See Clearly here: thelaughinghousewife.wordpress.com/2011/01/22/writers-island-clarity/
It’s my favourite cover.
TY for sharing that spirited version with me … I enjoyed the post you wrote as well. I still love Johnny’s original version better though. It is one of my all time favorites. TY! 🙂
Janice and Hazel are doing a great job on stage there!
They sure are, and they still look great … 30 years later! TY! 🙂
Hi Elizabeth – I would like to offer you the Liebster Blog Award – I don’t know if you’ll want to accept it but I definitely think you deserve it for your work!
http://creatingreciprocity.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/go-raibh-mile-maith-agat/
Thank you for thinking of me and congratulations on being a recipient of the award too. I hope you won’t mind if I park it for now… I’m so behind on blog comments that I need to play catch up on yours and everyone else’s for now. Many, many thanks! E 🙂
I was singing all those songs in your post in my head as I read the lyrics. Music does reconnect us to memories. I adore “oldies” but you may be surprised at some of the catchy pop tunes out today, as well.
The lyrics to the song “I Can See Clearly Now” really affected me this morning for reasons that I will come back and share with you later today… For now, I just want to say that I was brought to tears reading those lyrics this morning in a very good way. Maybe it is simple coincidence but your posts always seem to fit my life, Elizabeth! xoxo
So, yesterday, I had just received the news of my son’s MRI findings showing “no intracranial masses” which means my Christmas wish came early – NO tumors but I wanted to wait to confirm with the doctor’s office at yesterday’s appointment before saying anything. When I read the words to I Can See Clearly Now – it just made me cry… That’s why I was saying this post – seemed to fit… and Thank You again, Elizabeth! 🙂
I’ve always loved that upbeat song and I sang it too when it was a big hit. Its good to have the lyrics and sing along. I’ve never heard the Brother Louie song but I love it.
B
Nothing can take you back like music. Love your choices.
Thanks
b
Actually saw Johnny Nash in concert back in the day with my Mother and Sister, we had so much fun that the following month we got tickets to Millie Jackson ,she was in rare form ,so much so that I spent 50% of the concert looking away from the stage and blushing as I tried to avoid eye contact with my Mother,who on several occasions had her eyebrows raised,Ms Jackson said bearded men were best and I could never get my Mother to explain why……Thanks for the memories 🙂
Very lovely. I’m not getting email notifications again, it seems, so I could get a little behind.
I always liked that song, but I forget why in particular now. It is a long time ago.
Great songs, E! Not sure that I loved all three of them “back in the day” . . . but they all put a smile on my face today. 😀
This is great! I love all the songs – and the picture 🙂 with the man sitting on the bench at the Harvard station!
Great Reflection story in this post i like it 🙂
Great songs for that time in history, however I think I have left that sound far behind.
But the concept of memory and music stands the test of time.
Thanks for putting a slight better slant on this song for me. It’s been bringing me down for 48hrs.
Cheers
Thanks for that blast from the past. 🙂
Would you believe I never knew the lyrics to Brother Louie? All I knew was the refrain. Thanks for this walk down memory lane. Those were some beautiful songs.