Welcome to another Serenade Radio edition of Steyn's Song of the Week.
In this episode Mark is joined by Gary Osborne, Elton John's lyricist on such hits as "Blue Eyes" and "Part-Time Love" and the co-author of Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds, to remember a very different kind of writer whom Gary knew from childhood. Norman Newell is not a famous songsmith but, for an English record producer and part-time lyric writer, he has his name on songs that have gone around the world and been recorded by hundreds of major stars. On this show we focus on two huge hits that Gary was present at the creation of - or, at any rate, in the vicinity thereof.
Click above to listen.
Thank you for your enthusiastic comments about this series. Of last month's "Over the Raimbow" show, Brian Warner, a First Hour Founding Member of The Mark Steyn Club from Washington State, writes:
This is one of your very best, Mark, and that's saying something!
Thank you, Brian. Tom Lewis, a First Day Founding Member from Saratoga Springs, says:
Mark, I've been continually reading & listening to you since the early 2000's when you were the 'Happy Warrior' at National Review. You've always had, and still have, the most insights into human nature, politics and culture, but I'm now also appreciating that you have just as much depth of knowledge into music history.
Please keep staying healthy, and staying free. A first day Club member.
p.s. I hope some day you'll consider doing Porgy and Bess.
Thank you, Tom. If you like Porgy, keep a listen for our Serenade edition of Song of the Week on a Sunday a week or three hence.
This airing of Steyn's Serenade Song of the Week is a special presentation of The Mark Steyn Club. We launched the Steyn Club five years ago, and in this our sixth year we're immensely heartened by all the longtime SteynOnline regulars - from Fargo to Fiji, Madrid to Malaysia, West Virginia to Witless Bay - who've signed up to be a part of it. Membership in The Mark Steyn Club also comes with non-musical benefits, including:
~Our classic-fiction series Tales for Our Time, with sixty thrilling audio adventures read by Mark;
~Other audio series on pertinent topics, such as our 2019 serialization of Climate Change: The Facts and our 2021 adaptation of Mark Steyn's Passing Parade;
~Steyn's exclusive anthology of video poetry - because, as he always say, that's where the big bucks are;
~Exclusive Steyn Store member pricing on over 40 books, mugs, T-shirts, and other products;
~The opportunity to engage in live Clubland Q&A sessions with Mark (such as Friday's);
~Transcript and audio versions of The Mark Steyn Show, Steyn's Sunday Poem and other video content;
~Advance booking for Mark's live appearances around the world, including exclusive members-only events such as The Mark Steyn Christmas Show, assuming such events are ever again lawfully permitted;
~Customized email alerts for new content in your areas of interest;
~and the chance to support our print, audio and video ventures as they wing their way around the planet.
To become a member of The Mark Steyn Club, please click here. And for our special Gift Membership see here.
One other benefit to Club Membership is our Comment Club privileges. So, if you feel this show is not in the least bit more but extremely less, then give it your best below. Please do stay on topic on all our comment threads, because that's the way to keep them focused and readable. With that caution, have at it.
We do enjoy your comments on the show. You're welcome to leave them below - or over at Serenade Radio, where they love hearing from listeners.
~Steyn's Song of the Week airs thrice weekly on Serenade Radio in the UK, one or other of which broadcasts is certain to be convenient for whichever part of the world you're in:
5.30pm Sunday London (12.30pm New York)
5.30am Monday London (4.30pm Sydney)
9pm Thursday London (1pm Vancouver)
Whichever you prefer, we hope you'll tune in. You can listen from anywhere on the planet right here.
