From time to time I have a song or tune stuck in my head. Infatuated with that song I hear it and/or silently sing it sometimes for weeks on end until I lose interest in it. These songs are not from singers like Taylor Swift or Kanye West whose work I wouldn't recognise if they were standing in front of me performing live. No, as a stereotype older gay man I often have a tune from a musical on perpetual repeat in my head.
The latest one is from Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'Carousel' This is not one of R&H's more high profile works but it contains some glorious melodies. Based on a Hungarian play from 1909, 'Carousel' is unfortunate to contain a plot that comes across as somewhat ludicrous nowadays.
The musical is completely heterosexual in theme and one of its best tunes, 'If I Loved You', is a duet between the principal male and female characters but it could easily be a gay torch song without changing any of its lyrics. That is not the reason I like it. The song's soaring and romantic melody wins me every time especially when sung as beautifully as it is by the tenor in this version from a night at the BBC Promenade Concerts.
By the way the tenor is Julian Ovenden and, yes, he is the actor who plays one of Lady Mary's suitors in television's 'Downton Abbey'.
The tune has been stuck in my head for weeks now. I know it will fade away to later be replaced by another song.
I know that will happen.
Eventually.
That was lovely - I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't watch Downton so wasn't familiar with him - don't you hate people who look that good and can sing like that?
ReplyDeleteI know Craig, it's unfair, isn't it!
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ReplyDeleteIt IS a great song, and I agree the lyrics defy gender.
ReplyDeleteIt is still ringing in my head, Mark!
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