Happiness is a Thing Called Joe
Aug 12th, 2009 by oldfogey
One of the benefits of getting on a bit is coming to realise that the things you had to pay pounds for fifty years ago, you can now buy for pennies. That black vinyl LP that cost 30 shillings (£1.50) now costs less than 50p (not even discounting for inflation), as part of a double CD compilation on Not Now Music (check it out on Amazon).
This is from 1957, and the incomparable Peggy Lee. Originally from her LP ‘The Man I Love’ it is ‘Happiness is a thing called Joe’. I like it, apart from the melody, for the seductive way she seems to be seducing me into thinking that if my name was Joe I might be the man she adores. I’m not sure what feminists think about her. I suppose they would admire her success as a woman but I’m not sure they’d approve the little girl vulnerability, inside that velvet voice, that makes men like me melt.
Her command was masterly. They would approve of that.
And whichever way you look at it, Peggy Lee had class - in the true American sense.
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Dear Old Fogey,
I am writing to you because you music has inspired me to challenge myself beyond conventional boundaries, or so I begin to fear and then I listen to your next pick, which usually means that I listen to your entire ipod while going about my very dull but necessary, torturous routine of no pain, no gain… drinks of clay and gross vomit on toast but the good news is that your music fills in between seeing those that keep me grounded. So, thank you Old Fogey for being a part of this girls recovery by not only the choices you make but the very personal perspective you share.
Thank you for posting these remarks on Peggy Lee and this song. I think I understand what you mean about the subtle but very real discernment in quality of tone real love encases… it is about being generous with those you love. If only our country could wake up and see how the rest of the world sees us “The Emperor’s New Clothes”……………. Perhaps you could post another song. You have one fan of your music willing to ask
thank you for your thoughtfulness.
::
feeling a little blue with the majority out in left field waiting for a grand slam dreaming again and still believe in rainbows