I’m leaving you for the last time …

I will never be your stepping stone.
Take it all or leave me alone.

Fantastic lyrics and perfect delivery.

Poetry.

Those were the days.

One Hour Mama by Ida Cox

I’ve always heard that haste makes waste
So I believe in takin’ my time
The highest mountain can’t be raced
It’s something you must slowly climb
I want a slow and easy man
He needn’t ever take the lead
Cause I work on that long-time plan
And I ain’t a-lookin’ for no speed

I’m a one hour mama
So no one minute papa
Ain’t the kind of man for me
Set your alarm clock papa
One hour, that’s proper
Then love me like I like to be

I don’t want no lame excuses
‘Bout my lovin’ bein’ so good
That you couldn’t wait no longer
Now I hope I’m understood

I’m a one hour mama
So no one minute papa
Ain’t the kind of man for me

I can’t stand no greenhorn lover
Like a rookie goin’ to war
With a great big load of artillery
But don’t know what it’s for

He’s got to bring me a reference
With a great long pedigree
And must prove he’s got endurance
Or he don’t mean that to me

I don’t like no crowin’ rooster
What just kicks a lick or two
Action is the only booster
Of just what my man can do

I don’t want no imitation
My requirements ain’t no joke
Cause I’ve got pure indignation
For a guy what’s lost his stroke

I’m a one hour mama
So no one minute papa
Ain’t the kind of man for me
Set your alarm clock papa
One hour, that’s proper
Then love me like I like to be

I may want love for one hour
Then decide to make it two
Takes an hour before I get started
Maybe three ‘fore I’m through

I’m a one hour mama
So no one minute papa
Ain’t the kind of man for me

Empty Bed Blues by Bessie Smith

I woke up this morning with (really wid) a awful aching head
I woke up this morning with (really wid) a awful aching head
My new man had left me, just a room and a empty bed

Bought me a coffee grinder that’s the best one I could find
Bought me a coffee grinder that’s the best one I could find
Oh he could grind my coffee, cause he had a brand new grind

He’s a deep sea diver with a stroke that can’t go wrong
He’s a deep sea diver with a stroke that can’t go wrong
He can stay at the bottom and his wind holds out so long

He knows how to thrill me and he thrills me night and day
Oh he knows how to thrill me, he thrills me night and day
He’s got a new way of lovin’, almost takes my breath away

Lord he’s got that sweet somethin’ and I told my girlfriend Lou
He’s got that sweet somethin’ and I told my girlfriend Lou
From the way she’s raving, she must have gone and tried it too

(Part 2:)
When my bed get empty make me feel awful mean and blue
When my bed get empty make me feel awful mean and blue
My springs are getting rusty, sleeping single like I do

Bought him a blanket, pillow for his head at night
Bought him a blanket, pillow for his head at night
Then I bought him a mattress so he could lay just right

He came home one evening with his beret way up high
He came home one evening with his beret way up high
What he had to give me, make me wring my hands and cry

He give me a lesson that I never had before
He give me a lesson that I never had before
When he got through teachin’ me, from my elbow down was sore

He poured (always thought it was boiled …) my first cabbage and he made it awful hot
He poured my first cabbage and he made it awful hot
Then he put in the bacon, it overflowed the pot

When you get good lovin’
Never go and spread the news

It’ll build up acrost you
And leave you with them empty bed blues

Watch this for a blast from the past:

It was definitely also the precursor of So You Think You Can Dance. Can’t you just see Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe in leotards and leg warmers … Ow, ow, my retina!

But I digress.

While they’re rather thin on the ground in terms of plot and characterisation, they are thick with music, dance, love, lust and longing and not just for the hot bod next to you. It’s a longing for success and achievement and even the artistry of communicating with your body.

Speaking of bodies, man, did I ever love Bruno and Leroy … OK, just one more video!

When I listen to music, there’s such a wellspring of emotion (usually happiness, depending on the song) that often leads me to sing and occasionally dance around like a lunatic (but don’t tell anyone) so I’m setting out to share (not really review as that takes the fun out of it) my favourite songs.

Feel free to chime in if you have any recommendations.

Joni Mitchell

I’m embarrassed to say that until recently I hadn’t really heard of Joni Mitchell. Well, I knew one of her songs (more on that later), but didn’t really KNOW about her. When I started looking into her work, I was astounded. So much talent (a songwriter, artist, singer) …

River by Joni Mitchell. This song is soft, tender and evokes a very strong emotion, which only the very best songs do.

I also love Tin Angel. It’s like a poem. What am I saying: it is a poem:

Varnished weeds in window jars
Tarnished beads on tapestries
Kept in satin boxes are
Reflections of love’s memories

Letters from across the seas
Roses dipped in sealing wax
Valentines and maple leaves
Tucked into a paperback

Guess I’ll throw them all away
I found someone to love today

Dark with darker moods is he
Not a golden prince who’s come
Through columbines and wizardry
To talk of castles in the sun

Still I’ll take a chance and see
I found someone to love today

There’s a sorrow in his eyes
Like the angel made of tin
What will happen if I try
To place another heart in him (Wow!)

In a bleaker street cafe
I found someone to love today
I found someone to love today

Help Me was the song I knew and loved, but didn’t know about the artist yet.

Thank the Gods of music that I do now.