1) The record begins with a long instrumental interlude, and when the lyrics kick in at about the 1:00 mark, they bid Amanda "farewell, adios, addio, adieu." Of course you recognize "farewell" as English. Without looking it up, can you identify the other languages? Spanish, French....and I have no idea what language"addio" is.
2) Can you say "goodbye" in a language not represented in question #1? Aloha, shalom, auf Wiedersehen, and sayonara.
3) The lyrics reference a night full of stars. When did you last take a moment to check out the night sky? I almost always look up when I am outside at night.
4) This song was written for Adam's Rib, a comedy starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. The movie is about husband-and-wife lawyers who square off against one another in court. Have you ever served on a jury? To my dismay, no. I've always wanted to, but I've only ever been summoned once and I never got called up to be considered. The parties involved settled out of court.
5) "Farewell, Amanda" was composed by Noel Coward. Though best known as a playwright, he also wrote more than a thousand songs and was a director and an actor. His epitaph reads, "A talent to amuse." How would you like to be remembered? As someone who loved much, cared deeply, gave freely, and laughed hard.
6) There's even a book of Noel Coward paintings. It was published after his death, in part because Coward considered himself only an amateur painter. When did you last pick up a paintbrush? It would have been at work, probably within the last month, but it was for a craft, not any work of art. Unless you consider things made from things like tissue paper, dried macaroni, pipe cleaners, and toilet paper tubes art. If you do, I have some pieces I'd be willing to part with for the right price.
7) In 1949, when audiences first heard "Farewell, Amanda," Americans began playing Clue. What's the last board game you played? I think it was Candyland.
8) The best-selling novel of 1949 was Point of No Return by John P. Marquand. Tell us about the last book you finished. Eh, it was some romance. It was enjoyable, but nothing made it stand out from the millions of others out there.
9) Random question: Growing up, did you share a bedroom? Yep, with the dog.
Have a wonderful Saturday, everyone! I'll be around to visit as soon as I can. I am taking care of the grandchildren these days and their dad is working tomorrow (Saturday). It kind of all depends on whether dad works a single shift or a double one. We won't know until tomorrow when he's at work. It's all based on if someone calls off (and tomorrow's going to be a beautiful day so what are the odds?).
Thanks, Sam, for the music and questions!
Play along here.
Enjoy your day with the grandkids
ReplyDelete