As the Music Halls declined in popularity, it was gradually replaced by Variety. Variety also known as ‘variety arts’ or ‘variety entertainment’, is entertainment made up of a variety of acts including musical performances, sketch comedy, magic, acrobatics, juggling, and ventriloquism. It is normally introduced by a compere (master of ceremonies) or host. The variety […]
Comic Songs (5)
Today we make our final visit to the songs of the Music Hall. Where Did You Get That Hat?” is a comic song which was composed and first performed by Joseph J. Sullivan at Miner’s Eighth Avenue Theatre in 1888. It was a great success and has since been performed by many others including J.C. […]
Comic Songs (4)
We pay a second visit to the Music Halls for our selection of comic songs. We are also delighted to take the opportunity to pay tribute to two great modern performers who have kept these wonderful old songs fresh and alive. Both of them have now left the stage but they have left behind some […]
Comic Songs (3)
Today our series moves on to the source of so many comic songs from the Victorian era – The Music Hall. Although it pre-dates Gilbert and Sullivan in its inception, it comes into full flower around the same time as their great comic operas were filling the theatres. Music Hall is a type of British […]
Comic Songs (2)
Our second visit to the works of Gilbert and Sullivan sees us return to Iolanthe for our first offering. Lord Chancellor who is the main protagonist (“The law is the true embodiment”). is appealed to by the peers to decide who will have the hand of Phyllis with whom they are all smitten. The Lord […]
Comic Songs (1)
Today we begin a new series in which we will seek to discover that quintessential British institution, the so called Comic (comedy) Song. Our journey will begin with the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, throught the age of the Music Hall, via some the great comic song writers and performers and onto those songs that […]
Music of The World (The Missing Songs 2)
Our final entry in this series bring us the four last songs that I discovered I had missed out during the initial trawl through the UK charts. “Désenchantée” (Disenchanted” or “Disappointed”) is a 1991 song recorded by French singer-songwriter Mylene Farmer. In 2002, Belgian singer Kate Ryan released her dance-pop style version of “Désenchantée” as […]
Music of The World (The Missing Songs 1)
“Quando quando quando” (“When, When, When”) is an Italian pop song from 1962, in the bossa nova style, with music written by Tony Renis and lyrics by Alberto Testa. The song, originally recorded in two different versions, competed in the Sanremo Music Festival in 1962, where it placed fourth, and later became a commercial success […]
Music of The World (20)
“Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Blackpink. It was released in June 2018, in conjunction with the release of the group’s first Korean-language extended play, Square Up. Described as a hip-pop song infused with trap beats and bubblegum pop sounds, the track was written by YG collaborator Teddy Park, whilst […]
Music of The World (19)
“Despacito” (“Slowly”) is a song by Puerto Rican singer uis Fonsi featuring Puerto Rican rapper and singer Daddy Yankee as the lead single from Fonsi’s 2019 studio album Vida. Released in January 2017, the song was written by Fonsi, Erika Ender and Daddy Yankee, and produced by Mauricio Rengifo and Andres Torres. A remix version […]