I had to look this up but, amazingly, it is 16 years to the day that I saw Neil Sedaka when he appeared on Terry Wogan’s Sunday live show from Broadcasting House. Also on the bill were golfer Peter Alliss, Beth Nielsen Chapman, and John Barrowman (before he fell out of favour).
I remember Neil sang Laughter in the Rain but at 70 struggled to hit some the notes. My companion turned to me and said, He can’t sing his oooos any more … and I had to stifle the giggles. He was still good though although Beth was my star of the day when she sang Even As It All Goes By and All I Have.
I liked Neil’s The Immigrant Song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMPbEGzJXg4
The lyrics could not be more relevant today.
Harbors opened their arms to the young searching foreigner
Come to live in the light of the beacon of liberty
Planes and open skies, billboards would advertise
Was it anything like that when you arrived
Dreamboats carry the future to the heart of America
People were waiting in line for a place by the river
It was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room that people could come from everywhere
Now he arrives with his hopes and his heart set on miracles
Come to marry his fortune with a hand full of promises
To find they've closed the door, they don't want him anymore
Isn't anymore to go around
Turning away he remembers he once heard
A legend that spoke of a mystical magical land called America
There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room that people could come from everywhere
There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
