OCTOPUS'S GARDEN. THE BEATLES

 

Ringo Starr: vocals, drums, percussion, effects
John Lennon: guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass, piano
George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar

Ringo Starr’s second composition for The Beatles was written in Sardinia. On 22 August 1968 he temporarily walked out of sessions for the White Album after becoming disenchanted with the increasing tensions within the group. He took his family abroad for a boating holiday, returning to Abbey Road on 5 September.

I wrote ‘Octopus’s Garden’ in Sardinia. Peter Sellers had lent us his yacht and we went out for the day… I stayed out on deck with [the captain] and we talked about octopuses. He told me that they hang out in their caves and they go around the seabed finding shiny stones and tin cans and bottles to put in front of their cave like a garden. I thought this was fabulous, because at the time I just wanted to be under the sea too. A couple of tokes later with the guitar – and we had ‘Octopus’s Garden’!

Lyrics

OCTOPUS' GARDEN 

I'd like to be
Under the sea
In an octopus' garden
In the shade

He'd let us in
Knows where we've been
In his octopus' garden
In the shade

I'd ask my friends
To come and see
An octopus' garden
With me

I'd like to be
Under the sea
In an octopus' garden
In the shade

We would be warm
Below the storm
In our little hideaway
Beneath the waves

Resting our head
On the seabed
In an octopus' garden
Near a cave

We would sing
And dance around
Because we know
We can't be found

I'd like to be
Under the sea
In an octopus' garden
In the shade

We would shout
And swim about
The coral that lies
Beneath the waves
(Lies beneath the ocean waves)

Oh what joy
For every girl and boy
Knowing they're happy
And they're safe
(Happy and they're safe)

We would be so happy
You and me
No one there to tell us
What to do

I'd like to be
Under the sea
In an octopus' garden
With you

In an octopus' garden
With you
In an octopus' garden
With you

 

La idea de la canción surgió cuando Starr estaba en un barco perteneciente al cómico Peter Sellers en Cerdeña en 1968. Pidió pescado con patatas fritas para el almuerzo, pero en vez de pescado se le sirvió calamar. Esta era la primera vez que probaba los calamares, y afirmó: "Estaba bien. Un poco correoso. Sabía a pollo"). El capitán del bote le contó a Starr cómo los pulpos viajan a lo largo del lecho marino recogiendo piedras y objetos brillantes con los que construir jardines. La composición de Starr se inspiró aún más en su deseo de escapar de la creciente hostilidad entre los Beatles, admitiendo más tarde que "también quería estar bajo el mar". Harrison proporcionó ayuda no acreditada en el desarrollo de los cambios de acordes de la canción. En el documental "Let It Be" se le puede ver ayudando a Starr a trabajar la canción en el piano, y a Lennon después uniéndose a la batería.

La canción, que contiene la letra "Oh, qué alegría para cada niña y niño / Sabiendo que están felices y seguros", a veces se la considera una canción para niños, como "Yellow Submarine" o "All Together Now". También ha sido interpretada por los Muppets varias veces en varios episodios de sus shows.

NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE. THE JACKSON 5 (1970)/ GLORIA GAYNOR (1974)/ THE COMMUNARDS (1987)

 

https://talkaboutpopmusic.com/2021/06/11/cover-vs-original-never-can-say-goodbye/

 The song, “Never Can Say Goodbye”, was originally recorded by the Jackson 5 in 1970

Disco standard “Never Can Say Goodbye” was written by Clifton Davis (b.1945) for the Jackson 5’s fifth studio album, “Maybe Tomorrow”, and recorded in late 1970. It was released as the first single from the album in March 1971 and peaked at No.2 in America and No.1 on the R&B chart. The song only made No.33 in the UK.

Disco queen Gloria Gaynor (b.1943) recorded a version in 1974 for her debut album of the same name and scored a bigger hit with it internationally, giving her a first hit in the UK where it peaked at No.2, No.3 in Australia, top ten across most of mainland Europe and No.9 in The States, while topping the then new Dance/Disco chart.

In 1987, British duo Jimmy Somerville and Richard Coles aka The Communards recorded their version for their second studio album, “Red”. Having already achieved a big hit with “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, the song was released as the second single in November and would chart at No.4 on home territory, top ten across Europe and No.51 in America and No.2 on the Dance chart.

But whose version is the best? JACKSON 5’s original, GLORIA’s disco version or COMMUNARDS’ 80’s rework


LYRICS. Las palabras destacadas en amarillo aparecen debajo en la sección de vocabulary.

Never Can Say Goodbye.    Gloria Gaynor

 

I never can say goodbye

No, no, no I, I never can say goodbye

Every time I think I've had enough

And start heading for the door

There's a very strange vibration

Kissing me right to the core

 

It says turn around you fool

You know you love him more

And more

Tell me why is it so?

Don't wanna let you go

 

I never can say goodbye boy

Ooh ooh baby I never can say goodbye

No no no no no no

Ooh hey I never can say goodbye, boy

Ooh ooh baby

I never can say goodbye

[No no no no no no] hey

 

I never can say goodbye [never say goodbye, boy]

Oh no, no, no I, I never can say goodbye

[Never say goodbye, boy]

I keep thinking that our problems soon are all gonna work out

But there's that same unhappy feeling

There's that anguish, there's that doubt

It's that same old dizzy hangup

I can't do with you or without

Tell me why is it so? I don't wanna let you go

I never can say goodbye boy, ooh baby

I never can say goodbye, no no no no no no

Hey I never can say goodbye boy, ooh baby

I never can say goodbye, no no no no no no

 

I never can say goodbye, boy

I never can say goodbye, no no no no no no

I never can say goodbye, boy

I never can say goodbye, no no no no no no

(Never can say goodbye, boy)

(Never can say goodbye, boy)

 

I never can say goodbye, boy

I never can say goodbye, no no no no no no

I never can say goodbye, boy

I never can say goodbye, no no no no no no

 

Ooh ooh ooh hey I never can say goodbye, boy

No no no baby hey never can say goodbye

No no no no please, don't make me say goodbye

Hey I will never say goodbye, no baby

Oh please don't leave me, no no no no

Hey oh I can't say goodbye, boy

No no no baby

Oh please don't oooh, baby

 

 

 VOCABULARY

core n   (centre of a planet)        centro nm / núcleo nm

                The Earth's core is thousands of kilometers below ground. El centro de la Tierra está a miles de kilómetros bajo tierra.

core n   (centre of a fruit)            corazón nm

                The core of a pear is stringy and tough. El corazón de la pera es fibroso y duro.

core n   figurative (essential part)            meollo nm / núcleo nm    (figurado)       corazón nm

                The core of the problem remains unsolved, and the two sides continue to be at war.

                El meollo del problema permanece sin resolver y ambos bandos continúan en guerra.

core n   (nuclear power)              núcleo nm

                The reactor's core melted, and caused hundreds of deaths. El núcleo del reactor se fundió y provocó cientos de muertes.

core n   figurative (soul) (figurative)       médula nf  / tuétano nm

                He is a conservative to his very core.   Es conservador hasta la médula.

core n   (muscles of torso, abdomen)    zona media nf + adj  / abdominales nmpl

                This exercise is a great way to tone your core.  Este ejercicio es genial para tonificar la zona media.

core [sth]⇒ vtr (fruit: remove centre)  descarozar⇒, deshuesar⇒ vtr  / sacar el corazón, sacar el centro loc verb

                First, you need to core the apple.  Primero, debes descarozar (or: deshuesar) la manzana.

 

 

work out vi phrasal         (exercise)           ejercitarse⇒ v prnl  /hacer ejercicio, / entrenar loc verb

                We're going to the gym to work out this afternoon. Vamos al gimnasio a ejercitarnos esta tarde.

work [sth] out,

work out [sth] vtr phrasal sep   (solve)  resolver⇒ vtr / solucionar⇒ vtr

                I'm still trying to work out this last crossword clue. Estamos tratando de resolver la última pista del crucigrama.

work [sth] out,

work out [sth] vtr phrasal sep   informal (resolve)           resolver⇒ vtr

                They have a lot of problems to work out with their marriage. Tienen muchos problemas que resolver en su matrimonio

Things are very hostile between management and the union; it isn't clear how they will work out this dispute.

                 Las cosas están muy mal entre la administración y el sindicato, no sé cómo van a resolver esta disputa.

work [sb] out vtr phrasal sep     informal (understand [sb])         entender a vtr + prep                  

Marc is a moody character; I can't work him out. No entiendo a Marc, es un tipo de carácter cambiante.

 

 

 

anguish n            (distress)            angustia nf

                The athlete fell to his knees in the anguish of defeat. El atleta cayó de rodillas en la angustia de la derrota.

 

 

 

dizzy adj              (feeling vertiginous)      mareado/a adj

                Robert was dizzy after spinning around in circles. Robert estaba mareado después de girar en círculos.

dizzy adj              figurative, slang (silly, unintelligent)       tonto/a adj / atontado/a adj

                Ann is very nice, but she's a bit dizzy sometimes. Ann es agradable, pero un poco tonta a veces.

dizzy adj              (causing vertigo)             vertiginoso/a adj

                The dizzy height of the cliff made Glenn's head spin. La altura vertiginosa del acantilado le dio dolor de cabeza a Glenn.

dizzy [sb]⇒ vtr (make dizzy)      marear a vtr + prep

                The speed we were travelling at dizzied me.  La velocidad a la que viajábamos me mareaba.

 

 

hang-up n           informal (psychological complex)            complejo nm

                I've got a hang-up about the size of my hips. Tengo complejo por el tamaño de mis caderas.

hang-up n           US, informal (impediment)        impedimento nm

                 (voz inglesa)     hándicap nm   We've run into a bit of a hang-up and need more time to finish.

 

 

SOME MORE INFORMATION

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Never_Can_Say_Goodbye

 

"Never Can Say Goodbye" is a song written by Clifton Davis and originally recorded by The Jackson 5. The song was originally written and intended for the Supremes; however, Motown decided it would be better for the Jackson 5. It was the first single released from the group's 1971 album Maybe Tomorrow, and was one of the group's most successful records. It has been covered numerous times, most notably in 1974 by Gloria Gaynor and in 1987 by British pop group The Communards.

The Jackson 5 original version

The recording features 12-year-old Michael Jackson singing a serious song about a love, with accompaniment from his brothers. Although such a record was unusual for a teenage group, "Never Can Say Goodbye" was a number-two hit for three consecutive weeks on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, stuck behind Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World" (May 8–22, 1971), and a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the United States.^[1] In the United Kingdom, it reached number 33 on the UK Singles Chart.

Notable televised performances of the song by the Jackson 5 (and their newer incarnation, The Jacksons) include:

·         The Flip Wilson Show, November 4, 1971 – this recording appears on the 2009 Jackson 5 CD I Want You Back! Unreleased Masters

·         One More Time (Jackson 5 TV special), January 10, 1974

·         The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, April 4, 1974

·         Cher, March 16, 1975

·         The Jacksons, July 7, 1976

·         Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, May 16, 1983

In addition, the song appeared on the animated TV show The Jackson 5ive in the episode "A Rare Pearl", which aired on January 15, 1972.

This version appears in the 1994 movie Crooklyn and on the second volume of its soundtrack album.

Gloria Gaynor version

A major version by Gloria Gaynor, re-imagined as a disco record in 1974, was a number-nine hit on the U.S. Pop Singles chart and went to number 34 on the Soul Singles chart.^[6] The Gloria Gaynor version became one of the defining recordings of the disco era. Indeed, her version peaked at number two in the United Kingdom during January 1975, and number three in Canada, surpassing the Jackson Five's original recording in those nations.

Gaynor's cover, released on MGM records, was produced by the Disco Corporation of America, a production company newly formed by Meco Monardo and Tony Bongiovi to which Gaynor was signed. Also working on this production were Jay Ellis and Harold Wheeler.^[7]

Gaynor's cover has the distinction of occupying the number-one spot on the first Dance/Disco chart to appear in Billboard magazine. Never Can Say Goodbye was also the title of Gaynor's debut album on which the single appeared.

Gaynor has re-recorded the song on more than one occasion, in increasingly fast tempos, and subsequent remixes have hit the dance charts.

Gaynor's version of the song was heard on the TV series Charmed ("That '70s Episode"), and is featured on the video game series Just Dance 2015

The Communards version

In 1987, British band the Communards had a hit with a hi-NRG cover of the song, which was featured on their second album, Red.

Their version reached number one in Spain and number two in Ireland, number four on the UK Singles Chart, number 51 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and number two on the Billboard Hot Dance/Disco chart in the U.S. The group had reached number one on those charts covering another 1970s classic, "Don't Leave Me This Way", in 1986. The cover was also a top 10 hit in several European countries and New Zealand.

A music video was produced for this version of the song, directed by Andy Morahan.^[24]

The Communards version of the song was used as the signature tune to the 2013 British comedy series Vicious.

YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND. CAROLE KING

 

Not to be confused with Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from the 1995 animated film Toy Story, “You’ve Got a Friend” is a song written by Carole King for her 1971 album, Tapestry.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You%27ve_Got_a_Friend

"You've Got a Friend" is a 1971 song written by American singer-songwriter Carole King. It was first recorded by King and included on her second studio album, Tapestry (1971)

Another well-known version is by James Taylor from his album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. His was released as a single in 1971, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the UK Singles Chart.

LYRICS.  Fill in the gaps

You've Got A Friend by Carole King

When you're down and troubled and you need some love and care,
and nothing, nothing is going right,
close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there
to brighten up even your darkest night.

You (1)________ call out my name, and you know wherever I am,
I'll (2)________ running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you (3)________ to do is call
and I'll be there
You've got a friend.

If the sky above you grows dark and (4)________ of clouds,
And that old north wind  begins to blow,
Keep your (5)________ together and call my name out loud.
Soon you'll hear me knockin' at your door.

You just call out my name, and you (6)________ wherever I am,
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you (7)________ to do is call
and I'll be there, yes, I will.
Now ain't it (8)________ to know that you've got a friend
when people can be so cold. They'll hurt you, yes, and (9)____________ you.
And, take your soul if you let them.
Oh, but don't you let them.

You just call out my name, and you know wherever I am,
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call
and I'll be there, yes, I will.

You've got a friend.
You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend

Puedes ver la letra en el siguiente video

Aquí abajo tienes las palabras que faltaban

Answers:

(1) just  (2)come (3)have  (4) full  (5)head  (6)know  (7)have  (8)good  (9)desert

VOCABULARY.  

Slang is vocabulary (words, phrases, and linguistic usages) of an informal register, common in spoken conversation but avoided in formal writing.

ain't (very informal/slang)  = am not,  = is not = are not,  = has not = have not

ain't contraction	slang or nonstandard, abbreviation (am not)	no ser adv + v cop
		no estar adv + v cop
	I ain't a liar; I'm telling you the truth!
	No soy un mentiroso, te estoy diciendo la verdad.
ain't contraction	slang or nonstandard, abbreviation (is not)	no ser adv + v cop
		no estar adv + v cop
	Working two jobs ain't easy but I've got to pay the rent.
ain't contraction	slang or nonstandard, abbreviation (are not)	no ser adv + v cop
		no estar adv + v cop
	You ain't my dad; you can't tell me what to do!
	¡No eres mi padre, no puedes decirme lo que tengo que hacer!
ain't contraction	slang or nonstandard, abbreviation (have not)	no adv
Note: El adverbio negativo se coloca antes de cualquier verbo conjugado.
	I ain't got any money.
	¡Yo no tengo dinero!
ain't contraction	slang or nonstandard, abbreviation (has not) (con participio)	no haber adv + v aux
	The teacher ain't told us what to do yet.
	La maestra aún no ha dicho lo que debemos hacer.

Algunos comentarios sobre la canción y su autora e interpretes obtenidos de la página:.

https://americansongwriter.com/youve-got-a-friend-carole-king-james-taylor-behind-song-lyrics/

Behind The Song Lyrics: “You’ve Got a Friend,” Carole King, James Taylor

BY JACOB UITTI

Not to be confused with Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from the 1995 animated film Toy Story, “You’ve Got a Friend” is a song written by Carole King for her 1971 album, Tapestry.

King’s version is rooted in piano, whereas the version by her longtime close friend James Taylor is recorded with the guitar up front. Taylor recorded it for his 1971 album, Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. Taylor’s version hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart.

The two versions, which are now inseparable, like best friends, were recorded simultaneously and share the same musicians, including the legendary Joni Mitchell, who sings background vocals on both versions.

The song, which has since been covered by artists like Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, and Donny Hathaway earned Grammy Awards for Taylor and King, who won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Song of the Year, respectively.

In terms of the writing, King has said that was the easy part. It almost felt like it was written by an entity outside herself, she says.

“The song was as close to pure inspiration as I’ve ever experienced,” she explained to Mojo Magazine. “The song wrote itself. It was written by something outside myself, through me.”

And Taylor told Rolling Stone that King told him the song came after hearing his song, “Fire and Rain.” That line is: I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend.

King has also said she didn’t write it with Taylor or anyone else in mind. It’s just that when he heard it, he knew he wanted to record it, too.

The song lyrics are about platonic devotion. The love for someone else that’s so strong you’d do anything for them. But while this type of love is often expressed in romantic ways about amorous relationships, the song instead highlights friendship above all else.

 

To open the song, King wrote:

When you’re down and troubled

And you need some lovin’ care

And nothin’, nothin’ is goin’ right

Close your eyes and think of me

And soon I will be there

To brighten up even your darkest night

 

In today’s age of online vitriol and divisions across seemingly all fronts, it’s delightful to hear a song about enduring friendship and selfless behavior.

 

You just call out my name

And you know, wherever I am

I’ll come runnin’

To see you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And I’ll be there

You’ve got a friend

 

What makes the whole thing even more special is that Taylor (73), and King (79), remain great friends today. The two just premiered their new documentary on CNN, Just Call Out My Name, which showcased their friendship and deep admiration, both as people and as artists.

COVER

LYRICS

You’ve got a friend

When you're down and troubled
And you need some love and care
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend

If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind begins to blow
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud
Soon you'll hear me knocking at your door

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, running, yeah, yeah, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yes, I will

 Now, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend

When people can be so cold?
They'll hurt you, yes, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them,

oh, but don't you let them

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, running, yeah, yeah, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yes, I will
You've got a friend
You've got a friend

Ain't it good to know you've got a friend?
Ain't it good to know, ain't it good to know, ain't it good to know
You've got a friend?
Oh yeah now, you've got a friend
Yeah baby, you've got a friend
Oh yeah, you've got a friend

Carole King