Island Remixes

"Lonely...I'm Mr. Lonely, I have nobody for my own..."

Island Remixes week continues with a feature of Bobby Vinton's hit Mr. Lonely. Bobby Vinton is most well known for his Blue Velvet cover originally by Tony Bennett in 1951.  The inspiration of the Mr. Lonely (written in 1964) is Vinton's service as a chaplin in the army. 

The classic live:

LYRICS

Lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely

I have nobody for my own

I am so lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely

Wish I had someone to call on the phone

Now I'm a soldier, a lonely soldier

Away from home through no wish of my own

That's why I'm lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely

I wish that I could go back home

Letters, never a letter

I get no letters in the mail

I've been forgotten, yes, forgotten

Oh how I wonder, how is it I failed

Now I'm a soldier, a lonely soldier

Away from home through no wish of my own

That's why I'm lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely
I wish that I could go back home

The loneliness continues with Akon's version of this song.....

ISLAND REMIX TIME!

Introducing the Polynesian reggae artist Norm. Norm has released five albums which are The Best of Norm, I Belong 2 U, Stay With Me, Unforgettable Dream, and Just the Norm. His most recent album was released in 2004(?). Below is Norm's interpretation of Mr. Lonely and you may notice that only the chorus resembles Bobby Vinton's classic. This song does not have any quality videos that I could find....so I made one myself.

Island Remixes

It's Island Remixes week here at Pacific Dreamland where famous songs and the islands unite.  So far we have seen Somewhere Over the Rainbow, What a Wonderful World, How Deep is Your Love, and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow have taken the tropical stage.  

Let's add another to the list.... this time one by The Cascades.  

released in 1962 is their classic "Rhythm of the Rain".  Below is a video of them performing "Rhythm of the Rain" live in 2005.




ISLAND REMIX TIME!

This island remix is a ukulele version performed by the Hawaiian band Ka'au Crater Boys.




LYRICS

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain

Telling me just what a fool I've been

I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain

And let me be alone again

The only girl I care about has gone away

Looking for a brand new start

But little does she know that when she left that day

Along with her she took my heart

Rain, please tell me, now, does that seem fair

For her to steal my heart away when she don't care?

I can't love another when my heart's somewhere far away

The only girl I care about has gone away

Looking for a brand new start

But little does she know that when she left that day

Along with her she took my heart

Rain, won't you tell her that I love her so?

Please, ask the sun to set her heart aglow

Rain in her heart and let the love we knew start to grow

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain

Telling me just what a fool I've been

I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain

And let me be alone again

Oh, listen to the falling rain

Pitter-patter, pitter-patter

Oh, listen, listen to the falling rain

Pitter-patter, pitter-patter

Island Remixes

"So tell me now and I won't ask again....will you still love me tomorrow?"

The line above should sound a lot like a classic by the Shirelles.

The Shirelles were the first all girl group of Rock & Roll who began in 1958. They are known for many hits such as Soldier Boy, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, and Mama Said. In 1996, they were inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Below is "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" in action (released in 1960).

Of course, this is Pacific Dreamland which means it's...

ISLAND REMIX TIME!

The reggae remix of Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow posted below is by Barbara Jones. 

LYRICS

Tonight you're mine completely
You give you love so sweetly
Tonight the light of love is in your eyes
But will you love me tomorrow?

Is this a lasting treasure
Or just a moment's pleasure?
Can I believe the magic of your sighs?
Will you still love me tomorrow?

Tonight with words unspoken
You say that I'm the only one
But will my heart be broken
When the night meets the morning sun?

I'd like to know that your love
Is love I can be sure of
So tell me now, and I won't ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow?

(INSTRUMENTAL) 

Tonight with words unspoken
You say that I'm the only one
But will my heart be broken
When the night meets the morning sun?

I'd like to know that your love
Is love I can be sure of
So tell me now, and I won't ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow?

So tell me now, and I won't ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow?
Will you still love me tomorrow?
Will you still love me tomorrow?

The Pacific Crown Jewel

If there was ever any doubt to why I refer to Bora Bora as "The Pacific Crown Jewel".  This video I found is yet another picture worth a thousand words of its beauty.  I must say it is the perfect combination of music and scenery.  Enjoy this soothing 15 minute vicarious visit to a tropical happy place.  

Next up: The Island Remixes series continues....

Island Remixes

"Anything tropical is fair game" the slogan of Pacific Dreamland ....so what the great green palm tree is Saturday Night Fever doing here?

ISLAND REMIXES STRIKES AGAIN!
(This time with a disco ball...)

First things first...

The Background: Remember the Bee Gees? They were a group formed in the 1950's and their reputation was more than "Stayin' Alive" for decades later with their disco hits.  According to the Hall of Fame citation, "Only Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees." 

Saturday Night Fever is a dance film released in 1977 which featured a number of Bee Gees songs. The soundtrack is listed below and is one of the best selling sound tracks of all time.

"Stayin' Alive" performed by Bee Gees

"How Deep Is Your Love" performed by Bee Gees

"Night Fever" performed by Bee Gees

"More Than a Woman" performed by Bee Gees

"If I Can't Have You" performed by Yvonne Elliman

"A Fifth of Beethoven" performed by Walter Murphy

"More Than a Woman" performed by Tavares

"Manhattan Skyline" performed by David Shire

"Calypso Breakdown" performed by Ralph MacDonald

"Night on Disco Mountain" performed by David Shire

"Open Sesame" performed by Kool & the Gang

"Jive Talkin'" performed by Bee Gees

"You Should Be Dancing" performed by Bee Gees

"Boogie Shoes" performed by KC and the Sunshine Band

"Salsation" performed by David Shire

"K-Jee" performed by MFSB

"Disco Inferno" performed by Trammps

Which brings me to the feature song of this post "How Deep is Your Love"

The Classic

How did I first come across this song?

Believe it or not, the first time I heard this song was on a family vacation on board the Carnival Glory in July of 2010.  There was one night on this cruise that was particularly spectacular... where a party broke out of nowhere from two little kids that started dancing on the casino dance floor which then spread all over the ship.  The band playing at the time began playing 70's and 80's music to accommodate the "festive flash mob".  It was there where I first heard the masterpiece.  Kudos to Carnival for this spectacular evening and music. 

Now for the island remix....

This song was remixed by Rudy Thomas. It is a little known beautiful take on the classic. Below is the video for your listening pleasure.

LYRICS

I know your eyes in the morning sun

I feel you touch me in the pouring rain

And the moment that you wander far from me

I wanna feel you in my arms again

And you come to me on a summer breeze

Keep me warm in your love and then softly leave

And it's me you need to show

How deep is your love

I really need to learn

Cause were living in a world of fools

Breaking us down

When they all should let us be

We belong to you and me

I believe in you

You know the door to my very soul

Youre the light in my deepest darkest hour

Youre my saviour when I fall

And you may not think

I care for you

When you know down inside

That I really do

And it's me you need to show

How deep is your love

I really need to learn

Cause were living in a world of fools

Breaking us down

When they all should let us be

We belong to you and me

  

Island Remixes

It is a great pleasure of mine to stumble across island tunes that are remixes of classics.
Therefore, I am creating a section dedicated to all of these great remixes.  I cannot think of a better way to kick this off than to start off with a tune that remixes two timeless classics.

The first tune was written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss.  It was written in 1967, the time of racial segregation. The song tells a story of optimism for future generations.
Below is Louis Armstrong performing the timeless classic, "What a Wonderful World".

Nope, we are not in Kansas anymore... the second timeless classic is "Over the Rainbow" which was written in 1939 for The Wizard of Oz. It was sung by Judy Garland in her role as Dorothy in the film. 

Which brings me to the punchline.... The island remix that combines both of these into one, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole in 1993.  

It has been featured in several films including 50 first dates.

Below is Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's classic interpretation on two classics...

LYRICS

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high

And the dreams that you dreamed of

Once in a lullaby ii ii iii

Somewhere over the rainbow

Blue birds fly

And the dreams that you dreamed of

Dreams really do come true ooh ooooh

Someday I'll wish upon a star

Wake up where the clouds are far behind me ee ee eeh

Where trouble melts like lemon drops

High above the chimney tops that's where you'll find me oh

Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly

And the dream that you dare to,Oh why, oh why can't I?

Well I see trees of green and

Red roses too,

I'll watch them bloom for me and you

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world

Well I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white

And the brightness of day

I like the dark and I think to myself

What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces of people passing by

I see friends shaking hands

Saying, "How do you do?"

They're really saying, I...I love you

I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,

They'll learn much more

Than we'll know

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world world

Someday I'll wish upon a star,

Wake up where the clouds are far behind me

Where trouble melts like lemon drops

High above the chimney top that's where you'll find me

Oh, Somewhere over the rainbow way up high

And the dream that you dare to, why, oh why can't I? I? 

  

Lesson Plans

It is that time of the semester where I am preparing to teach a unit on ratios and proportions... hence why posts have been a little scarce.  In this post, I want to showcase some of the island themed problem creations for my unit. 

Problem 1

Suppose the Tahitian Princess cruise ship has sailed 100 nautical miles in the past 5 hours.  Find the average speed and be sure to use the correct label.

Problem 2

A parasailor is going for a thrill ride moving 144 feet in 6 seconds.  Find average the average speed using the correct labels.

Problem 3

A cruiser in the South Pacific could not seem to give up the cell phone…  While talking away about how stunning Bora Bora is, a cell phone bill was racked up of $366.  Assuming the international roaming charge was $6 per minute, use a ratio to determine how long was spent on the phone to the cost per minute.

Problem 4

St. Regis is a luxurious (and expensive!) resort in French Polynesia with world famous overwater bungalows.  Suppose that 50 bungalows are booked for 9 nights resulting in $50,000 of revenue for the resort the first night, there was an increase in the rates the second night which resulted in $60,000 of revenue for the resort, the third night the hotel had $70,000 of revenue. 

 daily rate is what is charged per night.

Revenue divided by 50 bungalows

revenue = Daily rate multiplied by 50 bungalows 

(a) Find the daily rate of the first three nights.

(b) Notice a pattern with the daily rates and revenue for first 3 days? Model the same daily rate and revenue pattern through day six on a graph.

(c) Model a $60,000 decrease in revenue over the course of day seven through day nine in the graph. What is the revenue for day seven, eight, and nine?

(d) What would the daily rates for day seven, eight, and nine be? Model this decrease on your daily rates graph.