The theme this Old School Friday is “It’s All About the Money”. The “money” song bag is full of good songs. Here’s my angle.
Technically not about money Mockingbird went through many manifestations. To the best of my knowledge the authorship to the original lyrics is unknown. I didn’t discover designated original lyrics in my search, but that they morphed is not in doubt. Often listed as traditional folk, The Library of Congress has the sheet music to the song, the basic melody we hear today, copyrighted to Ruby and John Lomax in 1941. In this case it is listed always under lullabies, children’s songs.
This is the earliest recording I can find. From, The John and Ruby Lomax 1939 Southern States Recording Trip. Sung by Ray Wood, from a “Room under ramp of storage garage, Houston, Harris County, Texas”.
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Performed by Haynes, Bernice from “Cummins State Farm, Women’s Camp, near Varner, Lincoln County, Arkansas”.
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source: From the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
The song burst on the pop scene, re-written and recorded, in 1963 by Inez and Charlie Foxx. It’s been sung by folk, R&B, and Jazz greats, from Aretha and Fitzgerald, to The Cake and Joan Baez. Subsequently, the generation who listened to this as a pop song brought their kids up accordingly. ;)
Hush little baby, don’t say a word
Pappas gonna buy you a mockingbirdIf that mockingbird don’t sing
Pappa’s gonna buy you a diamond ring
I choose the standard pop Taylor/ Simon video.
Hear me now and understand
He’s gonna find me some piece of mind
And if that piece of mind won’t stay
I’m gonna find myself a better way
Yup, because like Cindy Lauper sang, in this Tom Gray song (from her 1983 debut album, She’s So Unusual), “Money Changes Everything”.
This version is from her her 2006 album The Body Acoustic, with guest artist Adam Lazzara. The lyrics are more easily understood here.
Choosing between old an and new Cindy Lauper performance was a task more daunting than my last does of public speaking. Because of this, I did what I hate to do. I crowded up the joint.
I also wanted to wax philosophical and say that, as shown by these two songs, time changes everything too. And it changes nothing.
Have a great weekend.
OSF sponsored by Conversations With Marva and Mrs Grapevine
The players:
Electronic Village | Kim | Kevin – A Slant Truth | Marcus LANGFORD | iriegal | John | CC Groovy | Kreative Talk | Regina | Vivrant Thing | AJ | Beleiver 1964 | SJP | BklynQueen 86 | Hey Shae | Malcolm
Tags: Cindy Lauper, James Taylor, Money, Music, old school friday
I remember singing something close to the original Mockingbird as a kid. But as I got older, I could never remember what came after diamond ring. I think because instead of “turns brass” I would always say “don’t shine.” And so instead of looking glass, I’d go with porcupine, and by that point, it was all over.
Also, they sang something vaguely resembling the Inez and Charlie Foxx version on Dumb & Dumber, one of the great cinematic pieces of our time, IMHO.
Thanks for the memories, Cooper.
As for money songs, Dire Straits’ “Money For Nothing” was the first thing that popped into my head. Calloway’s “I Wanna Be Rich” was next. I’m gonna stop thinking now.
Bone´s last blog ..Let the screaming commence
I remember that Dumb and Dumber version and saw the clip on you tube. It’s pretty grand.
Strangely I never heard this version before, or perhaps don’t remember. My version was the Joplin one
The band aids are going to come off, I promise you that. People need to see something positive happen first :) Know this has nothing to with the song except this song equals tranquility and.…
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It’s the only version I had ever heard.
Easier to address than the health care post.
I’d have to go with “Money” from Pink Floyd. It’s the first thing that entered my mind.
Those old tapes from the LOC are great.
I like “The Cake” version, of Mockingbird and and who doesn’t love Lauper. I like both version don’t think I’ve ever heard her sing this song.
jake´s last blog ..After Labor Day
I love her too. My mother was a fan as well.
Great last paragraph. Particularly because it seems like Cyndi Lauper turned into Lady The Boss and moustaches like James Taylor was wearing now come with a GPS ankle bracelet.
Doug´s last blog ..The Reformation of Wolfshausen
LOL, I think you’re on to something.
Time after time is the same time. Amazing. My money song.…I’ll have to think about that one. Off the top of my head Pink Floyd’s is the only one that comes to mind for me as well.
Bare Naked Ladies – If I had a Million Dollars but it’s not old school.
kait´s last blog ..J.Crew in Black
I love that song too. Time after time..I really wasn’t working that angle. ;)
love the the Ray Wood version Cooper!!! what a classic!!!
reminds me of my Dad when he used to sing to me :)
That was a little different wasn’t it.
Love those old pieces from the Library of Congress.
Taylor and Simon look into each other there.
I like Lauper’s newer acoustic version but who doesn’t love Lauper as she was.
Money songs make me think of Diamonds are Best Friend.
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Diamonds are a girls best friend???
Not blood diamonds I hope.
Gotta love that Lauper. Nice history lesson too.
I love her, so did my mother, it runs in the family.
Speaking of champions. Money changes everything. ;)
The dude has some serious mustache going on there.
Cindy Lauper in the earlier version, very hot, second version very good. My money song right now would be Can’t Buy Me Love, but as I don’t have any I really wouldn’t know.
G´s last blog ..For Some There Is No Option
G what am I going to do with you?
oh lord, give me Lauper either way.
Love the old songs. I forgot those two were married but I like the recording from the Libraryof Congress. I didn’t know how old that song was either.