as some of you may already know
the first song that truly captivated me
and set me on the path to writing words
was
angel eyes
my favourite and definitive version is by frank sinatra
and its on
only the lonely
a collection of torch songs
orchestrated by the incredible nelson riddle
im not even sure who wrote it
but its from the forties i’d guess
at 4 years old this song made a big impression on me
such a beautiful song it has captivated me for 50 years now
and ive been singing it recently at a sunday afternoon gig
where i’m playing with some real jazz cats again
the clincher for me to do this humble gig
was that i could sing angel eyes
the players all groaned
angel eyes is a bit of a standard in their world
a bit like asking a rocker for smoke on the water
or something
nevertheless i was determined to do it
and i did
and i thoroughly enjoyed myself…
in becoming reacquainted with this most extraordinary song
i still continue to maintain my fascination for these wonderful lyrics
ANGEL EYES

HEY DRINK UP ALL OF YOU PEOPLE
N ORDER ANYTHING YOU SEE

this was in the days when songs had proper intros
a little way in that was totally different from the song itself
this is a perfect introduction
a setting of the scene
all;so a great line for a singer to sing in a bar or club

HAVE FUN YOU HAPPY PEOPLE
THE DRINK AND THE LAUGHS ON ME

as sinatra sings these lines
the music turns minor and sad
wow
talk about world weary
are the people even listening to him
is he addressing a whole room
or is he muttering this behind his eyes…?

and then the song proper starts
a downwards double bass slinks off
a real smoky bluesy niteclub atmosphere comes down
the instruments all suggest and imply things
stories of love and deceit and heartache

TRY TO THINK
THAT LOVE AINT AROUND
STILL ITS UNCOMFORTABLY NEAR
MY OLD HEART AINT GAINING ANY GROUND
BECAUSE MY ANGEL EYES AINT HERE

wow
try to think
a strange way to start a song
who should try to think
him?
or the crowd in the bar
or is it general advice to all of us
or what…
the song manages to be macro n micro at once
painting in broad strokes
and noticing subtle little details..
but there remains somehow
the lingering reminder of her
angel eyes
he still calls her angel eyes
but now that nickname carries a threat
a sadness
a most bitter irony
was she just there?
did she just leave?
do any of these grinning boozing types here know?
the feeling of her presence still disturbs him
thats why its uncomfortably near
you dont expect to find uncomfortable in a song
but her nearness is a pressure on him
that excited butterfly sick kick in the guts
he doesnt know how its gonna make him feel
his heart aint gaining any ground….
his old heart nonetheless
for more sympathy
for more pathos
his old broken heart
cos HIS angel eyes aint here
she aint his anymore obviously but
him still claiming that she is also carries a threat
as if he will never relinquish ownership until……

ANGEL EYES THAT OLD DEVIL SENT
THEY GLOW UNBEARABLY BRIGHT
NEED I SAY
MY LOVES MISSPENT
MISSPENT WITH ANGEL EYES TONIGHT

evil and jealousy walk on
the devil is an angel after all
who better to confuse mortal men
and inveigle them with gorgeous traps?
the old devil sending out his agents of misfortune
her supernaturally beautiful eyes
oh who has not seen people like that?
now the lustre is unbearable to him
another strange word…unbearable
can you imagine a beauty so strange and alien
that it was almost impossible to gaze upon?
especially when those eyes had turned cold and vacant
especially when those eyes regarded you like a stranger..
and for christs sake
he realises now
his love has been misspent
and thats another weird word in a song
misspent
like a bad purchase
or after the act of love
when a man is said to be spent
its so obvious
is there any need to even say it?

now he feels cynical about her
but he cant help wanting her even more
for all her black magical help and callous disregard
he still loves her
it feels it may have not been the first time
that shes done him wrong

then
the song returns to the introduction
sinatra still urging those friends and patrons
go on get drunk
have a good fucking laugh
you happy people
oblivious fools
he doesnt care anymore
do whatever you like
then the third n final verse

PARDON ME BUT I GOTTA RUN
THE FACTS UNCOMMONLY CLEAR
I GOTTA FIND WHOS NOW THE NUMBER ONE
AND WHY MY ANGEL EYES
AINT HERE

hes outta here
in everyway
anyone can see hes been duped
they probably already knew she wasnt gonna show
hes after the after the new number one
whos slid up thru the ranks
of the men who jostle for her favour(s)
sinatras slipping out the love charts
i wonder what he intends to do about his rival
when he catches up with them…?
anyway as one last attempt at dignity
and harking back to the black magic
the music changes key for the final line
SCUSE ME
WHILE I DISAPPEAR…..!

perfect!