D major

Just The Way You Are
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Just The Way You Are

I really, really struggled to find a song to play today for my birthday. Suggestions of Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday, Kool and the Gang’s Celebration and many others didn’t seem to work. I even tried Uptown Funk on the piano but it doesn’t quite cut it either. If I had decided to play one of my favourite songs, I realise I’ve already played pretty much most of them in the 475+ songs I’ve played this year and back in 2010.

I’ve decided therefore to play a song which did appear in 2010 but was recorded live with my Apple colleague Joe Moretti on sax. It is one of my favourite songs by one of my favourite performers: Billy Joel’s Just The Way You Are. The song was released in 1977 and was written for his then wife and manager Elizabeth Weber. After their 1982 divorce, Billy rarely played the song live, but has since started playing it again and he did a cracking job last year in the London and Birmingham concerts where I saw him live.

I hope you enjoy this song and indeed that you’ve enjoyed all the songs I’ve played so far this year. Thanks for listening. There are more Billy Joel songs in my Piano Man album and if it’s your first time on the site, find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my April songs here.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pentleton/just-the-way-you-are-2

Knowing me, knowing you
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Knowing me, knowing you

… ah aah! I’ve spent most of the past 24 hours in a plane back from Las Vegas so I’m running more than a bit late with today’s song. I’ve obviously prerecorded this one – I don’t quite have the energy to play anything tonight! It’s Abba’s Knowing me, knowing you which dates from 1977. This was the first Abba song to deal with the break-up of a relationship, soon to be followed by classics such as One Of Us, When All Is Said And Done and, of course, The Winner Takes It All.

For more Abba piano versions, check out my collection of songs from 2010. If it’s your first time on the site, find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my April songs here.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pentleton/knowing-me-knowing-you/s-r6B2b

Love Story
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Love Story

Today I’m playing Taylor Swift’s Love Story. It was apparently based on a love interest who was not popular with her family and friends, hence the Romeo and Juliet theme. Love Story was featured in the 2010 film Letters to Juliet, and the Piano Guys combined it with another song I’ve performed this year, Coldplay’s Viva La Vida.

First time on the site? Find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my April songs here.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pentleton/love-story/s-qJ1rh

Offenbach’s Barcarolle
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Offenbach’s Barcarolle

This lovely piece of music from Offenbach’s opera The Tales of Hoffmann always reminds me of the Coves del Drach in Mallorca where visitors can experience an underground concert with musicians playing violins, cellos and a harmonium as they row across the subterranean lake. The barcarolle has its origins in Venice and is traditionally sung by gondoliers. The barcarolle is normally in the 6/8 time signature and speed is dictated by the gondolier’s stroke as the gondola moves through the water.

First time on the site? Find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my March songs here.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pentleton/offenbachs-barcarolle/s-QWBdF

If You Find Her
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If You Find Her

Something a bit different today, and I felt this merited a more electric piano sound. I was introduced to Future of Forestry’s beautiful song If You Find Her by a friend a couple of years ago and I think it’s a perfect song with lovely lyrics and great harmonies. Here’s a live performance if you’re interested in hearing the original.

First time on the site? Find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my March songs here.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pentleton/if-you-find-her/s-YVSXh

Down By The Sally Gardens
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Down By The Sally Gardens

I was trying to think of a good Irish tune to play today. Last time round I played Danny Boy, She Moved Through The Fair, Carrickfergus, plus a few other Irish-linked songs from Riverdance etc. I decided to play this lovely, simply tune for St Patrick’s Day and I hope you enjoy it. I’ve discovered that the Sally gardens (from the Gaelic saillaeach) were gardens of willows kept for medicinal purposes, and were traditionally a place for lovers’ trysts. You learn something new every day!

First time on the site? Find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my March songs here.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pentleton/down-by-the-sally-gardens/s-24TfB

Tango in D
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Tango in D

This is my version of Tango in D by Isaac Albéniz. It’s a beautiful piece of music which was originally written as part of the España suite for piano, and then later transcribed for guitar. I’m dedicating this song today to my mum as it’s Mother’s Day and I know she loves this piece of music!

First time on the site? Find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my March songs here.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pentleton/tango/s-i7coT

Firework
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Firework

Here’s my take on Katy Perry’s Firework from 2010. It’s a cracking pop song and today’s random fact is that this song featured in the animated films Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (yes, really!) and Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted. I’m sure you’ll sleep better now knowing that…

If animated films and Katy Perry pop songs are not your thing, you can see all of my March songs here or find out more about the 365 Songs project.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pentleton/firework

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