Today we begin a new series – ‘Songs About Places’. Songwriters have frequently been inspired by their hometown or places that they have visited to capture them in words and music. So, we will follow in their footsteps on a journey that will no doubt take us around the world to discover the best songs about places. Our journey begins in the capital of the Netherlands – Amsterdam.
“A Windmill In Old Amsterdam” is a 1965 novelty song written by Ted Dicks and Myles Rudge. The song, about a mouse that wears clogs, and arranged in waltz time, was notably recorded by Ronnie Hilton in 1965 and issued on the HMV label. The song is said to have been inspired by the sound of street organs which Dicks heard on a visit to the city. The song spent a total of 13 weeks on the UK Singles Chart peaking at No. 23 in February 1965.
“Amsterdam” is a song by Jacques Brel. It combines a powerful melancholic crescendo with a rich poetic account of the exploits of sailors on shore leave in Amsterdam. Musically, it takes its base melody line from the melody of the English folk song Greensleeves. Brel never recorded this for a studio album, and his only version was released on the live album Enregistrement Public a L’Olympia 1964. Despite this, it has been one of his most enduringly popular works. It was one of the songs Mort Shuman translated into English for the musical Jaques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.
“Amsterdam” is a song written and recorded by American band Imagine Dragons, for their third self-released EP, ‘It’s Time’. It appears as the second track on the EP. The song was later reproduced and remastered for inclusion on their debut album Night Visions and appears as the sixth track on the album. “Amsterdam” was first released officially in December 2010 through a music video posted on their YouTube channel. “Amsterdam” is one of the band’s most played songs, being played at an excess of over 300 concerts since its first play in August 2010.
“Amsterdam” is a song written by Janis Ian which appears on ‘Play Me Backwards’ the 1992 release from the legendary singer/songwriter Joan Baez. The smooth production of Wally Wilson and Kenny Greenberg frames her voice beautifully, with a contemporary, yet undated sound. And, with songs courtesy of Mary-Chapin Carpenter, John Hiatt, and Janis Ian, how can you go wrong? Although it’s not a ground-breaking artistic achievement, it’s Joan Baez, and it’s definitely an enjoyable way to pass 40 minutes. Getting things started, the bouncy groove of the percussive title track belies its tale of a stolen childhood. The images drawn are vivid, and the pain recalled in the reclaiming is tangible, but forgiving. The wistful melancholy of Ian’s “Amsterdam” is gorgeously handled with a delicate maturity.
Descartes In Amsterdam is a song by Dave Nachmanoff. He says this song was inspired by his shady past. He earned a PhD from University of California, Davis, and actually taught philosophy for a while. René Descartes was born on March 31, 1596; one of the biggest names in the history of philosophy, he spent some time in Amsterdam where he sired a daughter by servant girl Helena Jans van der Strom. The child died of scarlet fever aged 5 at which time Descartes was a lecturer at Utrecht University. Although while in The Netherlands, Descartes changed his address many times, it is doubtful if he ever slept on a park bench as suggested in this song. Those who know something about philosophy may wonder if Nachmanoff is not confusing him with or more likely incorporating the Greek philosopher Diogenes into the narrator. Diogenes was the founder of the Cynics, and famously lived in a tub.
