The first time ever I kissed your mouth/
I felt the earth move in my hand/

“The First Time I Saw Your Face” has an amazing history. It was written in 1957 as a folk song. It sounded good, but very different from Roberta Flack’s version. It was not popular. In 1972 Flack covered the song, blew the song away and made this song a huge success. It is one of the best performances by a female vocalist of all-time.

The style of her vocal sounds undoubtedly hers, but she has more in common with female singers from the late 60s than with what was going on in the early 70s. Aspiring female singers study this vocal performance. Note her pace. It is slow, but due to her delivery we are awaiting to hear what she says next. She does one minor vocal run—even though we sense the power of her voice and her obvious ability to do more. And she minimizes vibrato; she uses it tastefully and sparely.

The production is interesting. The loudest instrument is the bass, but overall, most of the instruments are quiet. This puts a lot of emphasis on Flack’s voice. This is the right choice when you have that voice! The use of piano and strings are very well done.

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Lyrics

The first time ever I saw your face,
I thought the sun rose in your eyes,
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the endless skies.

The first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move in my hand.
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command my love.

And the first time ever I lay with you,
I felt your heart so close to mine.
And I knew our joy would fill the earth,
And last till the end of time my love.

The first time ever I saw your face
Your face, your face

written by Ewan Mccoll

I Look at the night/
And it don’t seem so lonely.

Few songs are as feel good as Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”. It is hard to feel sad while this song is playing. There is something about the happy feel of the song along with singing about meeting a woman that has never made you feel so good. That is a recipe for happiness, I guess.

The lyrics tell a story of a burgeoning love, an unexpected love. The narrator sounds surprised and in a really good mental space. Isn’t new love fantastic? The things that seemed to bother him no longer concern him as long as Caroline is around. I think “Caroline” would be a good thing to name your kid. You get automatic good vibes associated just from this song. (Though I wonder if people named Caroline grow to hate this song?)

“Caroline” sounds simple, but it has a lot of nuance. Take the intro, for example. The choice of horns in 1969 seems like a bizarre choice, but it is clearly the right one. The orchestration is unique. There really is a lot going on under the vocals. Diamond’s vocals don’t get mentioned enough. They are great. His voice sounds raw on the record—like it was the 50^th take. The song does not require a dynamic vocal range, so it requires someone with a unique voice to pull it off. It is a great sing-along.

Sweet Caroline Lyrics

Where it began, I can’t begin to knowing.
But then I know it’s growing strong.
Was in the spring…
And spring became the summer.
Who’d have believed you’d come along.

Hands, touching hands,
Reaching out, touching me, touching you.

Sweet Caroline,
Good times never seemed so good.
I’ve been inclined,
To believe they never would.
But now I…

Look at the night and it don’t seem so lonely.
We filled it up with only two.
And when I hurt,
Hurting runs off my shoulders.
How can I hurt when holding you.

One, touching one,
Reaching out, touching me, touching you…

Sweet Caroline,
Good times never seemed so good.
I’ve been inclined,
To believe they never would.
Oh no, no…

Sweet Caroline,
Good times never seemed so good.
Sweet Caroline,
I believe they never could.
Sweet Caroline,
Good times never seemed so good.

Written by Neil Diamond

Am I only dreaming, or
Is this burning an eternal flame?

The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame” is a sexy song about new love. Does he feel the same strong feelings that she does? Can’t he feel her heart pounding when she holds his hand to her chest? Certainly, this must be the beginning of a love eternal. That is what she hopes for.

The bridge of “Eternal Flame” is strong and unexpected: (“Say my name..). It is what really takes the song from just another love song to a journey we take with Susanna Hoffs as she embarks on this roller coaster of emotion. Her voice offers a unique sound in rock history, like a cross between early Stevie Nicks and Kate Bush.

The Bangles’ instrumentation in Eternal Flame is fantastic. Note the intro. It is very unusual. It sounds almost like an atonal clock beat ticking to the entrance of the strings. It is very memorable. Hearing the strings along with Hoffs voice is an amazing combination that the Bangles did not use that often in their recordings.

I think The Bangles had the vibe that they were all the lead singer, but it is clear that Hoffs was the superstar.

Note the lack of drums. The beat is held with a tambourine or bells on a drum kit. Of course, during the final chorus we get a more typical drum sound, but it is still every two measures or so. The rest of the band singing backup vocals really did a great job. They add a depth to the sound that contrasts great with Hoff’s high voice.

Eternal Flame Lyrics

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling,
Do you feel my heart beating?
Do you understand?
Do you feel the same?
Am I only dreaming,
Is this burning an eternal flame?

I believe it’s meant to be, darling,
I watch you when you are sleeping,
You belong with me.
Do you feel the same?
Am I only dreaming,
Or is this burning an eternal flame?

Say my name
Sun shines through the rain,
A whole life so lonely,
And then come and ease the pain.
I don’t want to lose this feeling, oh.

Say my name
Sun shines through the rain,
A whole life so lonely,
And then come and ease the pain.
I don’t want to lose this feeling, oh.

Close your eyes, give me your hand,
Do you feel my heart beating?
Do you understand?
Do you feel the same?
Am I only dreaming,
Or is this burning an eternal flame?

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling,
Do you feel my heart beating?
Do you understand?
Do you feel the same?
Am I only dreaming,
Is this burning an eternal flame?

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling,
Do you feel my heart beating?
Do you understand?
Do you feel the same?
Am I only dreaming, ah
An eternal flame?

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling,
Do you feel my heart beating?
Do you understand?
Do you feel the same?
Am I only dreaming, ah,
Is this burning an eternal flame?
Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling…

written by Susanna Hoffs