Notablog: Happy Anniversary Songs

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the inauguration of my "Song of the Day" feature.

I was reminded of this the other night when I was watching the "58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards," which, during the broadcast, showed a romantic commercial for "Journey Diamond Jewelry," telling us that "a diamond is forever." The song used for that commercial? "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?," which just so happens to have been my very first "Song of the Day." In truth, I thought it was a lovely commercial; but then again, it is a lovely song. Like the diamond, it will last forever, at least "forever" in my own consciousness. Indeed, though it would be very difficult for me to pick my favorite song of all time, that Legrand-Bergman tune would certainly qualify.

Two years ago today, I wrote:

Today, I thought I'd share with my readers a new feature for "Not a Blog" and a new page on my site. I have been promising readers to inaugurate additional "My Favorite Things" pages, pointing to such things as favorite books, favorite albums, and even favorite songs. Why my personal aesthetic views are so interesting is beyond me... but the Favorite Things page is consistently one of the most popular pages on my "Dialectics and Liberty" website. Perhaps it is due to the fact that I provide lots of entertaining links on such pages for your enjoyment.

So, I'm starting a new page today: My Favorite Songs. Rather than come up with a full list on a single day, I'll make it a regular (daily?) feature here at "Not a Blog." (The songs will also be added to the "Favorite Songs" list, alphabetically, with date of addition in [brackets].)

There isn't a waking hour of any day where I don't have a song on my mind. (I suspect there are quite a few songs playing in my mind during non-waking hours as well!) Music is such an integral part of my life, that I could not for a moment imagine life without it. And the songs I love come from a variety of genres, as readers will soon find out.

I can only echo those observations today. And while the "Song of the Day" hasn't actually been posted daily for two straight years (there have been more than a few interruptions), I'm happy that it remains a popular feature at Notablog. And I'm even happier that it has evolved to include both vocal and instrumental compositions. Obviously, my use of the word "song" is, uh, rather loose. But that's been part of the fun... running the gamut from cartoons to the concert hall.

Thanks again to Notablog readers for all your recent public comments on the songs, and thanks also to the hundreds of people who have emailed me their own private comments over the last two years. I've heard from music fans and even from some of the artists and composers whom I've highlghted. It's been a great run, and I look forward to continuing the feature in the future, though it will become less frequent sometime this fall, as my work schedule intensifies.

Comments welcome.

Comments

Chris:
Any idea who sang the version of What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life that Journey Diamond Jewelry used in their ad?! I listened to all of the female versions in iTunes but don't think it's there! I love it!

Posted by: Emma | September 4, 2006 12:09 PM

I've been searching high and low for that same song, can you help us out!? Thanks

Posted by: trisha | September 6, 2006 07:44 PM

Sounds like the Dusty Springfield version to me.

Posted by: Anonymous | September 7, 2006 07:45 PM

I should have a definite answer next week, and will report it in this space.

Stay Tuned. :)

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | September 9, 2006 12:35 PM

It is, indeed, the Dusty Springfield version. Beautiful song.

Posted by: Olivia | September 9, 2006 04:45 PM

is the song on one of her albums?

Posted by: Candy | September 11, 2006 10:08 PM

I have no idea who's singing that but wow what a great voice. I'd sure love to buy that cd with her singing it!

Posted by: Jenny | September 11, 2006 10:11 PM

Hey, folks, I finally spoke to somebody at JWT Advertising Agency, which is handling the account, and, as expected, I've confirmed that it is, indeed, Dusty Springfield's version of the song. (The ad has 30-second and 60-second versions; I have seen both, but I most enjoy the latter, broadcast during the Emmy's, because it samples a lot more of the song!)

For those of you who would like to get a copy of Dusty's rendition, it can be found on Disc 2 of Something Special and Disc 1 of The Look of Love (audio clips at those links).

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | September 13, 2006 11:08 AM

Hey all - The Dusty Springfield song "What are you doing the rest of your life" is available also on a few of her compilation CD's - I have one called "Dusty Springfield - Classics and Collectibles" which is a 2 CD set and available from Amazon and FYE. It's probably on some other ones too - she has several. Hope this helps - Alan

Posted by: Alan Kendrick | September 19, 2006 07:50 PM

I am getting the song that's sung in the commercial right now; I hope it's the right one. I love that song also and they keep playing it on tv so I decided to find out who sings it.

Posted by: Iva | September 20, 2006 12:58 AM

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I had no idea how to find that song and it was just so beautifully haunting...

Posted by: malik | September 23, 2006 12:40 AM

Thanks so much to the additional commentators here. I've gotten so much offlist correspondence as well; it is certainly a commercial---and a song---that has left an impression.

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | September 26, 2006 09:39 AM

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I love this song! I couldn't find the title anywhere! Thanks again!!!

Posted by: DeShea | October 14, 2006 06:07 PM

Dear Chris: There's a tune I've loved since I first heard it, around 1990-91 (if I remember correctly), but I haven't been able to identify it. It was the background music for the Honda Accord coupe TV commercial, "Music for the Eyes" theme. Can you help me track down this music? Thanks, and best wishes. Mike A.

Posted by: Mike A. | October 15, 2006 05:21 PM

Mike, sorry for the long delay here, but I was on a few tight deadlines.

I need to do a bit more investigating on this. I asked around a bit, but no success yet. Check this space when you can, and if you have any additional leads, or info, let me know...

Best wishes,
Chris

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | November 8, 2006 09:44 AM

Dear Chris: With reference to the Honda Accord Coupe TV commercial (from the early-1990s) with the theme "Music for the Eyes", I've always thought that Dave Samuels might have been the musical source (because of the use of jazz-oriented steel drums). In addition, presently, Westin Hotels has some TV commercials with some wonderful "cool" jazz music. I'd like to know where this comes from too. Thanks, and best wishes. Mike

Posted by: Mike | November 9, 2006 10:28 PM

Hey, Mike, thanks for your follow-up post; I was a bit busy with the publication of JARS, which has delayed my own follow-up. What I need to do is to see this commercial on a NY-based channel and find the ad agency responsible for the advertisement. Drop me a note if you see the commercial on any particular national broadcast, and maybe we can do a little detective work!

Posted by: Chris Matthew Sciabarra | November 25, 2006 05:49 AM