4 What Kind Of Fool Am I? – Anthony Newley
The loss of Newley over a decade ago is still something I find it hard to comprehend. He was without doubt one of the greatest songwriters and performers that this country has ever produced and he was also my surrogate father and mentor. From his great musical Stop The World I Want To Get Off comes this masterpiece. Sammy made it his own but Newley’s version is raw and heart-rending. It is the cry of a lonely man, unable to fall in love – a song that I perform but one that it is so far removed from my own reality.
3 Somebody Stole My Thunder – Georgie Fame
When Georgie played The Regency Rooms he sadly didn’t play this song. Just as well, because my version is even better. What raw material I had to work with. The opening riff of this song is one of the most infectious I have ever heard and this owes so much to the great Northern Soul tracks of the late 60s. Put some talcum powder down on your kitchen floor and slide around to it.
2 I Could Be So Good For You – Dennis Waterman
The greatest British theme-tune song. Thames TV’s Minder – wow! When the brass punches in and Waterman’s faux cockney voice sings ‘If you want to, I’ll change the situation’ you can’t help but be moved. This is a song of passion, fire, erring on the desperate. Many say it was this song that really swung it for Rula Lenska who couldn’t help but be swayed by this thinning haired wide-boy when he sung it to her on their first date.
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