Viva La Vida

This 'church bell odyssey' - Viva La Vida - by Coldplay tells a dramatic tale about a king who lost his kingdom. What it inspired me to do, in turn, was re-cast a story of such a famous king - that is, Shakespeare's King Lear. With poetic license firmly on hand, I bring Lear back from the dead, back to the ruins of his doing, and bid a final farewell to his beloved youngest daughter Cordelia. Out of envy, Lear's eldest two daughters, and their husbands, had Cordelia killed. By the time, Lear reached her, she was already dead.

So, there you go, Coldplay, Shakespeare and I, in a way, conspired to make art that weaves music, stage and poetry together!

© Ron Villejo

The Fear

"The Fear" is a very curious song and Alice-in-Wonderland video by Lily Allen. It's nightmarish in theme and lyrics, yet the imagery and colors are whimsical. In the song poem it inspired, I tried to penetrate and resolve this paradox with a more pointed, darker approach.

© Ron Villejo

Nature Boy

Nature Boy was composed by Eden Ahbez in 1947. Since Nat King Cole recorded the song the following year, countless performers have sung it. No wonder, it's a short song of such philosophical, at times quizzical themes, as to make it a wonder at the same time. It's unique and lovely!

John Leguizamo's magical rendition of this song at the opening of the film "Moulin Rouge" (above) was one inspiration of mine.

Another inspiration was this very simple, very tender song by the wonderful duo of Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn, who make up PomplamooseMusic:

© Ron Villejo

The Blower's Daughter

The Blower's Daughter was a song in the film "Closer," and the music video by Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan features clips from this film.

So from film, to music, to poetry, I am happy to take part in this inspired, artistic evolution!

© Ron Villejo

And I Love You So

My poem was inspired of course by this lovely Don McLean love song.

And also by this lovely version by a Filipina singer named Teresa:

© Ron Villejo

Vincent

Painting, music and poem come together here, in true Dr. Ron Art fashion, that is, art that crosses boundaries.  The song inspiration for my poem?  This cover of the Don McLean classic, by Joanna Wang.

My poem is about the artistic tension between Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin, both masters in their own right. Gauguin suggested that Van Gogh paint from his memory and imagination. The latter apparently agreed, but demurred at the notion of veering from having his subject in front of him as he painted. Then, during another stay at an asylum in Saint-Rémy, and without his favored subjects available to him, he painted à la Gauguin, which gave us a glimpse, I believe, of his true artistic genius. That glimpse was nothing less than pivotal: It was 'The Starry Night.'

Starry Night (1889), at the Museum of Modern Art

Here's Don McLean's performance:

© Ron Villejo

Walk On By

"Walk On By" was composed in 1963 by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and sung originally by Dionne Warwick. But it was the sultry, Bossa Nova version by Diana Krall that was the inspiration for my song poem.

Here's Warwick's performance:

© Ron Villejo

Rock Your Body

Justin Timberlake rocks.

This song rocks.

My poem has got to rock, too.

Enough said.

© Ron Villejo

Don't Cry For Me, Argentina

"Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" is the iconic song, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics), from their 1978 musical "Evita," about one of the most storied figures in political history - Eva Peron.

It was the 1996 film version of this musical, directed by Alan Parker, and in particular Madonna's rendition of this iconic song, which were the inspiration for my poem.

© Ron Villejo

The Impossible Dream

"The Impossible Dream," as a song, is the ultimate inspiration. It was composed by Mitch Leigh (music) and Joe Darion (lyrics) for the 1965 musical "Man of La Mancha." In turn, this musical was based on the play by Dale Wasserman, who took his inspiration from the classic 17th century novel "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes.

Miguel de Cervantes

It was Brian Stokes Mitchell's magical rendition of the song, in a stage tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy (above), that specifically inspired me to write my song poem.

© Ron Villejo

Think of Laura

Laura Carter was the roommate of Christopher Cross' girlfriend, Paige, at Denison University in Columbus, Ohio. She was killed in 1982 by a stray bullet, apparently coming from a gang fight among men a block away. Laura was in the backseat of a car, being driven by her parents, who were visiting her for homecoming. Cross wrote the song - "Think of Laura" - to comfort Paige.

Laura Carter

Here's a cover by Dominic and Burton, which I found lovely and inspiring as well:

I have loved this song for a long time, and I didn't know the story behind it, until just a few years ago. I am amazed at how art - song and music - can turn a tragedy into something remarkably beautiful. I hope my song poem adds to its beauty.

© Ron Villejo

The Weekend

This is a rocking, sexy song from Michael Gray. We all have that feeling of working-working all week long, and we can't wait for the weekend!

 

© Ron Villejo

Carry You Home

James Blunt sings a mournful, quite moving performance. I find these lines especially heart-wrenching:

A song for your heart, but when it is quiet, I know what it means and I'll carry you home.

© Ron Villejo

One Day I'll Fly Away

This song was written by Joe Sample and Will Jennings, and performed by Randy Crawford in 1980. But I first heard Regine Velasquez sing it a few years ago, and it was her cover that inspired my song poem. Subsequently I found out that Nicole Kidman sang this song as well, while watching the lavish film "Moulin Rouge."

Regine's stirring cover:

Randy's soulful performance:

Nicole's wistful rendition:

© Ron Villejo

We've Only Just Begun

This is a timeless love song from the Carpenters.  But it was the easy-sway voice of Joanna Wang, in particular, which inspired my song poem:

© Ron Villejo

Big, Big World

It's a sweet and simple love song, and Emilia Rydberg sings it with a fine mix of girlish lyrics and stoic anguish.  

Which was the basis of my inspiration:  

© Ron Villejo

Angels

I've held to the notion that angels live among us and that if we believe and if we have need, someone will come to help us.  He or she is our angel.  

So this Robbie Williams' song speaks to this, and I am inspired by it:

And through it all she offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won't break me
When I come to call, she won't forsake me
I'm loving angels instead

But the inspiration for The Song Poems isn't just to restate what a song says, but to expand on it and to diverge it.  The poem becomes a forum, of a sort, for me to remind us that we ourselves may be angels to someone else in need.  That it isn't just about us as recipients of good graces from angels, but us as the benefactors of such graces for others who are in need.

© Ron Villejo

Imagine

It was this video, and in particular Yoko One casting open the shutters, that prompted the room imagery in my poem. The challenge I speak to is how to actually make peace happen. Nearly 33 years after his death, we still live in such a turbulent world.

His 72nd birthday was on October 9th 2012, so I dedicated my song poem in memory of him and his moving, timeless classic.

© Ron Villejo

The Long and Winding Road

If I have a personal favorite among my song poems, this one is it.  Inspired by the mournful, orchestral masterpiece by the Beatles:  "The Long And Winding Road."

Paul, John, George and Ringo were so young, and were at this point, sadly, in the waning years of their unprecedented success in rock history and culture.  

Here, a lovely instrumental:

Then, The Corrs, live.  While Andrea's Irish accent may take some getting used to, for the lead vocals, hers is a very tender, beautiful rendition.  

© Ron Villejo

Kiss the Rain

My daughter attended a school for girls in Dubai, and one classmate performed a lovely piece on piano - "River Flows in You."  It was so melodic that I had to find it on YouTube and learn more about the composer.

It was Yiruma.

Lee Ru-ma is a South Korean composer and pianist, and Yiruma is his stage name.  I found another composition that, to me, was even more melodic - "Kiss the Rain" (above).  Which inspired me to write this poem.

Which was to become among the first of The Song Poems:   

© Ron Villejo

And among the first of my video recitation: