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signing off with guy lombardo and his ROYAL CANADIANS
hbg

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You're Driving Me Crazy! (What Did I Do?)
Guy Lombardo
- words and music by Walter Donaldson

You, you're driving me crazy!
What did I do?
What did I do?
My tears for you make everything hazy
Clouding the skies of blue
How true
Were the friends who were near me to cheer me
Believe, me they knew
But you
Were the kind who would hurt me, desert me
When I needed you
Yes you, you're driving me crazy!
What did I do to you?

Good morning, WA2K listeners and contributors. Well, our hbg signed off with royalty, let us begin the day with country:

The Oak Ridge Boys

Sometimes I feel a wave
Of a past break in my mind
And I know it's gone for good
And it makes me want to cry
Is this all we get to keep
As the years go rollin' by
Just a memory
For all the days gone by.

Oh you're always in my heart
And you're often on my mind
I will never let it die
Just as long as I'm alive
Sometimes it makes me sad
That we never said goodbye
Oh I guess it never hurts
To hurt sometimes.

You try and hold on to the moment
But time won't let you stay
But for every step you take
You lose something on the way
You can't look forward to tomorrow
And still hold on to yesterday
Oh I hope that you can hear me
When I'm saying

(Chorus)

Andy Devine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Andrew Vabre "Andy" Devine (October 7, 1905 - February 18, 1977) was a rotund, raspy-voiced American character actor and comic cowboy sidekick.

He was born in Flagstaff, Arizona, and grew up in Kingman, Arizona, where his family moved when he was a year old.

He was not named Jeremiah Schwartz at birth, as it is often reported. However, he did use this name as a pseudonym during his college football years.

He was a star football player at Ball State University, which led to his first film role in the silent film The Fighting Football Cardinals.

Although it was at first thought that his peculiar voice would prevent him from moving to the talkies, it became his trademark and strongest selling point. Devine's speech was the result of a childhood accident. He had been running with a stake in his mouth and fell, the instrument piercing the roof of his mouth. The accident left him mute for close to a year, and when he was finally able to speak, he had the wheezing, duo-tone voice that would make him famous as an actor.

He appeared in more than 400 films and shared with Walter Brennan, another character actor, the rare ability to move with ease from "B" Westerns to "A" pictures.

His notable roles included ten films as sidekick, "Cookie", to Roy Rogers, a role in Romeo and Juliet (1937), and "Danny" in A Star Is Born (1937). He also made several appearances in films with John Wayne, including Stagecoach (1939), Island in the Sky (1953), and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1959). He also played "The Cheerful Soldier" in The Red Badge of Courage.

Devine also worked in radio. He is well-remembered for his role as "Jingles", Guy Madison's sidekick. He often appeared on Jack Benny's radio show, sometimes appearing in Benny's semi-regular western series of sketches "Buck Benny Rides Again".

Devine also worked in television. He played "Hap" on the TV series Flipper and hosted a children's TV show, Andy's Gang. He starred in a Twilight Zone episode as "Frisby", a talkative braggart faced with an alien invasion called "Hocus-Pocus and Frisby". He also had a role in the TV series The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1951). He was also a frequent guest star in many television shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

In addition, Devine performed voice parts in animated films, including "Friar Tuck" in Disney's Robin Hood.

His film appearances in his later years included movies such as Over-the-Hill Gang, and 'Coyote Bill' in Myra Breckinridge.

Devine died of leukemia on February 18, 1977, aged 71, in Orange, California. The main street of his home town of Kingman, Arizona was renamed "Andy Devine Boulevard" in his honor.

Trivia

He is mentioned in a Jimmy Buffett song, "Pencil Thin Mustache" from Buffet's 1974 album, Living & Dying in 3/4 Time. The singer wishes for "an autographed picture of Andy Devine", which along with the mustache and other attributes, will make him cooler.
He is mentioned in a Frank Zappa song, "Andy," from the album One Size Fits All. The lyric is opaque:
Andy Devine
Had a thong rind
It was sublime
But the wrong kind
His amateur radio callsign, WB6RER, is now registered to an amateur radio club in Kingman, Arizona, which holds annual events in his honor.

Quotation

When asked if he had strange nodes on his vocal chords, Devine replied, "I've got the same nodes as Bing Crosby, but his are in tune."

Vaughn Monroe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Born October 7, 1911, Akron, Ohio, United States
Died May 21, 1973, Stuart, Florida, United States

Vaughn Monroe (October 7, 1911 - May 21, 1973) was a singer, trumpeter and big band leader, most popular in the 1940s and 1950s. Monroe was born in Akron, Ohio. He formed a band in Boston in 1940 and became its principal vocalist.

He recorded extensively for RCA Victor until the 1950's and his signature tune was "Racing with the Moon" (1941). Among his other hits were "There I've Said It Again" (1945), "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" (1946), "Ballerina" (1947), " Riders in the Sky" (1949), "Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You)" (1949), and "Sound Off" (1951). One lost opportunity - he turned down the chance to record "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

He was tall and handsome which helped him as a band leader and singer, as well as in Hollywood, although he did not pursue a movie and television career with vigor. He was sometimes called 'the baritone with muscles'. He was admired by some and derided by others for both his singing and his persona. He had a pleasant baritone voice that wasn't always quite good enough for the songs he sang, according to his critics. (One said "If he'd just open his mouth further so the sound would come out of IT, instead of his nose....".) The judgement of these critics is open to question, as Monroe's recordings reveal that he was one of the rare popular singers with a voice approaching operatic caliber. He was considered sincere, steady, and down-to-earth by some; pompous and square by others. In spite of these mixed opinions, he had a very successful musical career, with a large number of fans. He continued making night club appearances until shortly before his death in 1973.

During the 1950s and early 1960s he owned a restaurant in Framingham, Massachusetts, called The Meadows.

June Allyson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

June Allyson (October 7, 1917 in the The Bronx, New York- July 8, 2006 in Ojai, California) was an American film and television actress, popular in the 1940s and 1950s.

Biography

Early life

Allyson was born Ella Geisman[1] in the Bronx, New York City to Clara Provost and Robert Geisman on October 7, 1917. Her paternal grandparents, Harry Geisman and Anna Hafner, were immigrants from Germany,[1] although Allyson has claimed that her last name was originally "Van Geisman", and was of Dutch origin.[2] Her father worked as a janitor, June was 6 when her alcoholic father left. Her mother worked as a telephone operator and restaurant cashier. Allyson was brought up in near poverty. At 8, a dead tree branch fell on her while she was bicycling. Several bones were broken, and doctors said she would never walk again. She underwent months of swimming exercises and regained her health. [1]

Career

After graduating from a wheelchair to crutches to braces, she was inspired to dance by obsessively watching Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire movies. Fully recovered, she tried out for a chorus job in the Broadway show "Sing out the News." The choreographer gave her a job and a new name: Allyson, a family name, and June, for the month.[2]

She made her Broadway chorus-line debut in 1938 in the musical Sing Out the News. After her appearance in Best Foot Forward in 1941, she was selected for the 1943 film version, and followed it up with several other musicals, including Two Sisters from Boston (1946) and Good News (1947). She also played straight roles such as Constance in The Three Musketeers (1948), the tomboy Jo March in Little Women (1949), and Glenn Miller's wife in The Glenn Miller Story (1953).

In 1950, June Allyson had been signed to appear opposite Fred Astaire in Royal Wedding, but had to leave the production due to pregnancy. (She was replaced initially by Judy Garland, and later Jane Powell.)

Allyson was a very popular motion picture star in the 1940s and 1950s. She won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in the comedy Too Young To Kiss in 1951. In 1955, she was named the ninth most popular movie star in the annual Quigley Exhibitor's Poll, and the second most popular female star (behind Grace Kelly). After her film career ended in the late 1950s, Allyson starred on television as hostess and occasional star of The Dupont Show with June Allyson. The anthology series lasted two seasons. In later years the actress appeared on television shows such as Love Boat and Murder, She Wrote.

For the past 20 years, Allyson represented Kimberly-Clark Corp in commercials for Depend adult diapers, and championed the importance of research in urological and gynecological diseases in seniors.

For her contribution to the motion picture industry, June Allyson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1537 Vine Street.

Personal life

On August 19, 1945, Allyson caused Hollywood studio chiefs some consternation by marrying Dick Powell, who was 13 years her senior and had been previously married to Mildred Maund and Joan Blondell. They had two children, Pamela Allyson Powell (adopted) and Richard Powell, Jr. The couple briefly separated in 1961, but reconciled and remained married until his death on January 2, 1963, which led to Allyson's effective retirement from the screen.

Following Powell's death, she went though a bitter court battle with her mother over custody of her children, Ricky and Pamela. Reports at the time revealed that writer/director Dirk Summers, with whom Allyson was romantically involved from 1963 to 1975, was named legal guardian for Ricky and Pamela as a result of a court petition. Members of the nascent jet-set, Allyson and Summers were frequently seen in Cap d'Antibes, Madrid, Rome and London. However, the relationship did not last. Allyson twice married and divorced Powell's barber, Alfred Glenn Maxwell, whom she claimed physically abused her. During this time, Allyson struggled with alcoholism, which she overcame in the mid-seventies. She was married to David Ashrow, a dentist turned actor, from 1976 until her death.

Allyson returned to the Broadway stage in 1970 in the play Forty Carats and later toured in a production of No, No Nanette.

Dick Powell had been a major television player with his own production company, Four Star, owning several network shows. When he died, Allyson was left very well off and didn't need to work. She occasionally made appearances on talk and variety shows, but gained newfound celebrity in the 1990s as spokeswoman for Depend adult undergarments. Her name made the headlines again when actor-turned-agent Marty Ingels publicly charged Allyson with not paying his large commission on the Depend deal. Allyson counter-charged that Ingels was harassing her with dozens of phone calls daily and nightly.

Allyson had been in failing health since undergoing a hip-replacement surgery and died at her home in Ojai, California on July 8, 2006. Her husband of nearly 30 years, David Ashrow, was at her side. She died of pulmonary respiratory failure and acute bronchitis. She was 88 years old.

Al Martino
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Al Martino (born October 7, 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as Alfred Cini) is an Italian-American singer and actor.

His single "Here In My Heart" was number one in the first UK Singles Chart, published by the New Musical Express in 1952, putting him into the Guinness Book of World Records. The song also stayed there for nine weeks.

One of the most successful Martino hits was "Spanish Eyes", achieving several gold and platinum discs for sales. In 1965, the song reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart. Even today, this classic by the late composer, Bert Kaempfert (his original title for the song was "Moon Over Naples") is among the 50 most-played songs worldwide. Another smash hit was the mega-seller, "Volare" (also known as "Nel blu, dipinto di blu"). In 1976, it reached number one on the Italian and Belgium charts, and was in the Top Ten in Spain, The Netherlands and France, as well as in many other European countries. In the U.S., Martino had eleven top 40 hits in the Billboard pop singles chart in the 1960s and 1970s, with 1963's "I Love You Because" and 1964's "I Love You More and More Every Day" both reaching the Top Ten.

Apart from singing, Martino has acted in a number of movies, notably, he played the role of Johnny Fontane in the 1972 film The Godfather, as well as singing the film's title score, "The Love Theme From The Godfather". He played the same role in The Godfather Part III (1990) and The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (video, 1992). He recently returned to acting, playing aging crooner Sal Stevens in the short film Cutout, appearing in film festivals around the world in 2006.

Toni Braxton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Background information

Birth name Toni Michelle Braxton
Born October 7, 1966
Origin Severn, Maryland

Toni Michelle Braxton (born October 7, 1966)[1] is a six-time Grammy Award winning American R&B singer. She is most renowned for her dark timbre whilst singing.

Early years

Braxton was born in Severn, Maryland, and is the oldest of six children. She attended Richard Henry Lee Elementary School, Corkran Middle School, and Glen Burnie High School in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Her father was a clergyman, and the Braxton children were raised in a strict religious household. Braxton's first performing experience was singing with a church choir. She attended Bowie State University to obtain a teaching degree but decided to pursue a musical career.

Music career

The Braxtons (1989-1991)

Braxton and her four sisters (Traci, Trina, Towanda, and Tamar) began performing as The Braxtons in the late 1980s and were signed to Arista Records in 1989. Their first single, "The Good Life", was released in 1990. Though the song was not very successful, it attracted the attention of producing team Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

With Braxton's low register sounding similar to that of Anita Baker, Reid and Babyface recruited her to record a demo of "Love Shoulda Brought You Home", a song that they had written specifically for Baker to appear on the soundtrack to the Eddie Murphy film, Boomerang. Baker passed on the song but suggested that Braxton herself record the final version. The endorsement worked in Braxton's favor, as her recording was included on the soundtrack along with "Give U My Heart", a duet by Braxton and Babyface. Both songs garnered radio attention in the closing months of 1992 and effectively introduced Braxton to the record buying public. Braxton, meanwhile, was signed to Reid and Edmonds' Arista-distributed imprint, LaFace Records, and immediately began recording her solo debut album.

Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton (1993)On July 13, 1993, LaFace Records released Braxton's self-titled debut album, Toni Braxton. With a bulk of the production serviced by Reid, Babyface, and Daryl Simmons, the album became a critical and commercial success ?- peaking at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart, where it remained for two weeks. The first single, "Another Sad Love Song", peaked at #7 and #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 and R&B Singles charts respectively. The album's second single, "Breathe Again," fared better ?- peaking in the top five of both the Hot 100 and R&B singles charts. More singles from Toni Braxton were released into 1994, including the top ten "You Mean The World To Me," "Seven Whole Days," and "How Many Ways".

Braxton's debut album won her several awards, including three Grammy Awards (one for Best New Artist and two consecutive ones for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance) and three American Music Awards (for Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist, Favorite New Adult Contemporary Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Album). Toni Braxton was certified 8x platinum and sold over 10 million worldwide.

Secrets

Secrets (1996)Braxton entered the studio in 1995 to begin recording her sophomore album, Secrets. The album, released in 1996, is her most successful work to date. Braxton, Babyface, and Reid stuck with the same formula for the album but added more soul to the sound. Braxton has said about the album, "The motivation for this album was to include a little bit of everything. Our aim was to come up with material that would have a familiar 'feel' to the people who bought the first album without being musically redundant." Along with Babyface, Braxton also worked with R. Kelly, Tony Rich, and David Foster on the album. Braxton was the co-executive producer of the album and co-wrote two of its songs, including the 1997 single "How Could An Angel Break My Heart" which was also later included on a Princess Diana memorial album.

With help from the album's first single, "You're Makin' Me High" (which became Braxton's first #1 hit on the Hot 100 singles chart), the album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. "You're Makin' Me High" also topped the R&B singles chart for two weeks and saw similar success in Europe and Asia, expanding the prominence of Braxton on an increasing international clientele. The album's second single, "Un-Break My Heart" (written by Diane Warren), which would later become the singer's signature song, became the biggest hit of her career spending eleven weeks at #1 on the Hot 100 and also topping the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart for eleven weeks and the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for four weeks. Other singles from the album included the double-side "I Don't Want To"/"I Love Me Some Him" (which also topped the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart) and the above-mentioned "How Could An Angel Break My Heart" which featured Kenny G, who Braxton later toured with.

Braxton topped the Billboard Year-End Charts as the Top Hot 100 Singles Artist - Female, Top R&B Artist - Female (singles and albums), Top Hot R&B Singles Artist - Female, Top Hot Dance Club Play Artist, and Top Hot Adult Contemporary Artist, while "Un-Break My Heart" became the Top Hot Dance Club Play Single and Top Hot Adult Contemporary Track of the year. She won two Grammy Awards for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and two American Music Awards for Favorite Female Soul/R&B Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album.

The Heat

The Heat (2000)In January 2000, LaFace Records released "He Wasn't Man Enough," the first single from Braxton's third studio album, The Heat. By June, the song peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 chart. Braxton's music video for "He Wasn't Man Enough," which also featured actress Robin Givens, was nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards including Best Female Video and Best R&B Video and a Billboard Music Video Award for Best R&B Clip of the Year.

The Heat, meanwhile, was released in April. Debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with first week sales of 205,000, it remained in the top 20 for fifteen consecutive weeks. Braxton again worked with producers Babyface and Foster; also included in the staple were Rodney Jerkins, and new beau musician Keri Lewis. Braxton herself also took a more hands-on approach, co-writing and co-producing a handful of the tracks.

The albums second single, "Just Be A Man About It," peaked at a modest #32 on the Hot 100 chart while the third and final single, "Spanish Guitar," peaked at a disappointing #98. By the end of the year, The Heat was certified double platinum which showed a noticeable decline from her previous two albums. Braxton topped the Billboard Year-End Charts as the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist - Female, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album Artist - Female, and Top Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Artist - Female. She also received the 2000 Aretha Franklin Award for Entertainer of the Year at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards.

More Than a Woman

More Than a Woman (2002)In November 2002, Braxton's fourth studio album More Than a Woman was released. Opening to an instant commercial disappointment, the albums peaked at #13, with first week sales of 95,000. The first single, the The Neptunes-produced, "Hit The Freeway", failed at radio and peaked at #86 on the Hot 100. The three singles that followed ("Lies, Lies, Lies", "Give It Back", and "A Better Man") also failed to make a dent and missed the Hot 100 completely.

Prior to the release of the album, a dispute erupted between Braxton and Irv Gotti when he played a rough cut of "No More Love", a song that he produced for the album that was to be the first single. Disapproving of Gotti broadcasting the unfinished track, Braxton withheld it from being released. The same year, Braxton was further annoyed when rapper Jay-Z used the same sample of 2Pac's "Me And My Girlfriend" that she had already used on her track "Me And My Boyfriend" for his and Beyonce's "'03 Bonnie & Clyde". Furious, Braxton lashed out in a radio interview, accusing Jay-Z and producer Kanye West of taking money out of her children's college fund.

Many fans, and allegedly Braxton herself, considered this to be her worst album. Unlike her previous releases, with More Than a Woman, Braxton awkwardly delved into hip hop with a bevy of guest rappers including Baby and Loon. The album sold approximately 435,000, falling horribly short of expectation.

Libra

Libra (2005)In April 2005, Braxton's new label, Blackground/Universal, released "Please" ?- the first single from her forthcoming fifth album, Libra. The album was originally planned for a June release, but it was pushed back several times and was finally issued on September 27. Unfortunately for Braxton, her troubles with weak album promotion and lack of label commitment weren't over. "Please" peaked at #36 on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks Chart, while altogether missing the Hot 100. The albums lack of promotion by Blackground, caused it to go under the radar of many.

Despite this, Libra still managed to debut at #4 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart, selling 114,593 copies in the first week. Libra also peaked at #2 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums; on November 4th, 2005 the album was certified Gold by RIAA for shipments of 500,000 copies. Although that is strong for an album with little to no promotion, it became yet another commercial disappointment for Braxton.

The albums second single, "Trippin' (That's the Way Love Works)" received less airplay and it only peaked at #67 on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks Chart, even underquoting the moderate success of "Please". The failure was ascribed to the non-video presence of the single and nil label support. As of 2/8/06, Libra has sold roughly 380,000 copies [2] (Soundscan)and has been certified Gold for shipments of 500,000 copies.

Braxton, meanwhile, recorded a song with Il Divo titled "The Time Of Our Lives". The song was used as the official 2006 FIFA World Cup anthem and was performed at the championship's opening day in Berlin, Germany on June 9. [3] As a result Edel Records decided to re-relased Libra in Germany, including a new album cover, artwork and the new anthem.

On May 19, 2006, the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas announced that Braxton will replace Wayne Newton as the casino's new headlining act starting August 3, 2006. The show, "Toni Braxton: Revealed", will be performed six nights a week and run through March 2007.[4]

Braxton made an appearance on the season finale of American Idol 5 where she performed Elvis Presley's "In the Ghetto" with soon-to-be winner Taylor Hicks.

Career troubles

Bankruptcy

In January 1998, Braxton filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles. Although her bankruptcy petition ostensibly was filed on the grounds that her liabilities exceeded her assets, music industry pundits believe that the core reason she filed was so the bankruptcy court would void her existing recording agreement with her record label LaFace[citation needed]. The label countersued Braxton for breach of contract[citation needed].

Braxton's 1993 debut album and her 1996 follow-up sold an estimated 15+ million units worldwide[citation needed]. According to her label, following the success of the 1996 release, Braxton demanded more money and said that she would no longer record for the label if it did not meet her demands[citation needed]. She made this demand even though she contractually owed the label more albums[citation needed]. The label did not acquiesce and Braxton apparently implemented the bankruptcy action in an attempt to extricate herself from what she viewed as an inequitable contract[citation needed]. Her publicist said of the action: "…the only sensible option… She is confident that with the court's protection, she will be able to make a fresh start."[citation needed] A bankruptcy judge ruled in Braxton's favor by denying the dismissal of the claim (as filed by her record label). Braxton has said of the lawsuit: "I can't talk about the suit, but I love those guys very much. It's just business

Record sales decline

Braxton and LaFace resolved their legal conflict in early 1999. Issued with a brand new contract worth a reported $25 million, a satisfied Braxton continued to record for the label. Though the legalities with her LaFace and Arista subsided, Braxton saw a steep sales decline with her fortcoming releases with the label.

While gearing up for the release of her fourth studio album, Braxton discovered she was pregnant with her second child. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to promote the album properly, she unsuccessfully lobbied to get the label to postpone its release until after she was to give birth. Subsequently, the album was released as planned and received very little promotion from the label or Braxton herself, due to a complicated pregnancy that confined her to bed rest. Braxton accused the company of being unwilling to compromise and punishing her from not putting her career over family.

[5] On the show "VH1 Inside Out - Family Comes First," she documented the hardships of being pregnant with her second child at the same time as promoting an album.

Label switch

In April 2003, Braxton abruptly left Arista Records (her home of fourteen years) and immediately signed with Blackground Records ?- headed by Barry Hankerson, her manager at the time. The change of scenery, however, did not ultimately help her recording career. As had been the case during her final years at Arista ?- Braxton's fifth album, and first release on Blackground, Libra was released with scant promotion and accumulated poor sales.

Almost immediately after Libra's release, Blackground halted promotion of the album and later scrapped plans for a re-release. Rumor has it, the label chose to use the money intended for continued promotion to instead promote other artists on the roster[citation needed]. Many of Braxton's fans were furious, so much so that an online petition was created to encourage J Records to sign her. Braxton's fans later hoped that "I Wanna Be (Your Baby)" would be a next single off from Libra due to her performing at numerous events, including "Good Morning America" in December 2005, but it was not to be [citation needed]

As of early 2006, rumor suggested that Braxton was back in the studio recording new material for a re-packaging of Libra. Whether or not this is true remains to be seen. It has also been rumored that Universal Records (Blackground's parent label), from this point on, will have more dominance over Braxton's future releases ?- while Blackground will remain involved, but will take a more submissive position.

Personal life

Braxton met musician Keri Lewis in 1997, when the group Mint Condition (which he was a member of at that time) opened up for her while she was on tour. The two began dating following Braxton's breakup with Curtis Martin of the New York Jets in 1998. In April 2001, they married. On December 2, 2001, she gave birth to their first child, a son named Denim Cole Braxton-Lewis. The couple's second son, Diezel Ky Braxton-Lewis was born on March 31, 2003.[6].

Acting

Braxton has appeared on Broadway in two Disney shows: "Beauty and the Beast" (as Belle) in 1998 and "Aida" (as Aida) in 2003. Her role in "Beauty and the Beast" marked the first time an African American commanded the leading role of Belle. [7] In 2001, she made her acting debut in the feature film Kingdom Come. In August 2005, Braxton announced that she would be shooting a sitcom pilot for The WB's fall 2006 line-up, though plans to put the show into full-production fell through when The WB announced it would cease to exist in fall 2006 (as part of a merger with UPN to form The CW).

1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love, and
>>>
>>>> got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the
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>>>> reception was excellent.
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>>>>
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>>>> 2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender
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>>>> says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."
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>>>>
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>>>> 3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a
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>>>> salted.
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>>>>
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>>>> 4. A dyslexic man walks into a bra.
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>>>>
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>>>> 5. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt
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>>>> under his arm, and says: "A beer please, and one for
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>>>> the road."
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>>>>
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>>>> 6. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to
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>>>> the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"
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>>>>
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>>>> 7. "Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green
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>>>> Grass of Home," "That sounds like Tom Jones
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>>>> Syndrome," "Is it common?" Well, "It's Not Unusual."
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>>>>
>>>
>>>> 8. Two cows are standing next to each other in a
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>>>> field. Daisy says to Dolly, "I was artificially
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>>>> inseminated this morning." "I don't believe you,"
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>>>> says Dolly. "It's true; no bull!" exclaims Daisy.
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>>>>
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>>>> 9. An invisible man marries an invisible woman.
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>>>> The kids were nothing to look at either.
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>>>>
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>>>> 10. Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this
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>>>> bull before.
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>>>>
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>>>> 11. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the
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>>>> other day, but I couldn't find any.
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>>>>
>>>
>>>> 12. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious
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>>>> accident. He shouted, "Doctor, doctor, I can't feel
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>>>> my legs! "The doctor replied, "I know you can't -
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>>>> I've cut off your arms!
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>>>>
>>>
>>>> 13. I went to a seafood disco last week...and
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>>>> pulled a mussel.
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>>>>
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>>>> 14. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
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>>>>
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>>>> 15. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one
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>>>> turns to the other and says, "Dam!"
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>>>>
>>>
>>>> 16. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so
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>>>> they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it
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>>>> sank, proving once again that you can't have your
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>>>> kayak and heat it too.
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>>>>
>>>
>>>> 17. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a
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>>>> hotel, and were standing in the lobby discussing
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>>>> their recent tournament victories. After about an
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>>>> hour, the manager came out of the office, and asked
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>>>> them to disperse. "But why" they asked, as they
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>>>> moved off. "Because," he said, "I can't stand
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>>>> chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."
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>>>>
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>>>> 18. A woman has twins, and gives them up for
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>>>> adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt, and
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>>>> is named "Ahmal." The other goes to a family in
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>>>> Spain; they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends
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>>>> a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon
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>>>> receiving the picture, she tells her husband that
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>>>> she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her
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>>>> husband responds, "They're twins! If you've seen
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>>>> Juan, you've seen Ahmal."
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>>>>
>>>
>>>> 19. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot
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>>>> most of the time, which produced an impressive set
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>>>> of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little,
>>>
>>>> which made him rather frail and with his odd diet,
>>>
>>>> he suffered from bad breath. This made him. (Oh,
>>>
>>>> man, this is so bad, it's good) .... A
>>>
>>>> super-calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.
>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>> 20. And finally, there was this person who sent
>>>
>>>> twenty different puns to his friends, with the hope
>>>
>>>> that at least ten of the puns would make them laugh.
>>>
>>>> No pun in ten did.

Was that a smile I felt cover my face? Damn, Bob. I wanted to be sad today. Hilarious, hawkman, and once again thanks for the great bio's. Will comment later after our Raggedy develops her pictures.

Looking at Toni Braxton, I was reminded of a bit of news I saw on the web. It had to do with the axiom: "Keeping up with the Joneses". Although that may be a time worn cliche, it is still quite viable.

From Toni:

If I never feel you in my arms again
If I never feel your tender kiss again
If I never hear I love you now and then
Will I never make love to you once again
Please understand if love ends
Then I promise you, I promise you
That, that I shall never breathe again
Breathe again
Breathe again
That I shall never breathe again
Breathe again

And I can't stop thinkin' about
About the way things used to be
And I can't stop thinkin' about
About the love that you make to me
And I can't get you outta my head
How in the world will I begin
To let you walk right out my life
And blow my heart away

And I can't stop carin' about
About the apple of my eye
And I can't stop doin' without
Without the center of my life
And I can't get you outta my head
And I know I can't pretend
That I won't die if you decide
You won't see me again

If I never feel you in my arms again
If I never feel your tender kiss again
If I never hear I love you now and then
Will I never make love to you once again
Please understand if love ends
Then I promise you, I promise you
That, that I shall never breathe again
Breathe again
Breathe again
That I shall never breathe again
Breathe again

And I can't stop thinkin' about
About the way my life would be
No I can't stop thinkin' about
How could your love be leavin' me
And I can't get you outta my mind
God knows how hard I tried
And if you walk right out my life
God knows I'd surely die
And I can't stop doin' without
Without the rythm of my heart
No I can't stop doin' without
For I would surely fall apart
And I can't get you outta my mind
Cause I know I can't deny it
And I would die if you decide
You won't see me again

If I never feel you in my arms again
If I never feel your tender kiss again
If I never hear I love you now and then
Will I never make love to you once again
Please understand if love ends
Then I promise you, I promise you
That, that I shall never breathe again
Breathe again
Breathe again
That I shall never breathe again
Breathe again

Good morning radio fans. I asked if she wanted to go into town shopping, or…

Out In The Country
THREE DOG NIGHT Lyrics

Whenever I need to leave it all behind
Or feel the need to get away
I find a quiet place, far from the human race
Out in the country

Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night time
Out where the rivers like to run
I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'

Whenever I feel them closing in on me
Or need a bit of room to move
When life becomes too fast, I find relief at last
Out in the country

Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night time
Out where the rivers like to run
I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'


Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night time...

Ah, yes. Try, it is soooooo peaceful in the country, buddy, and cool in the desert:

Band: Eagles
Lyrics for Song: Peaceful, Easy Feeling
Lyrics for Album: Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975

I like the way your sparkling earrings lay,
against your skin, it's so brown
and I wanna sleep with you
in the desert tonight
with a billion stars all around
'cause I gotta peaceful easy feeling
and I know you won't let me down
'cause I'm already standing on the
ground
And I found out a long time ago
what a woman can do to your soul
Ah, but she can't take you anyway
You don't already know how to go
and I gotta peaceful, easy feeling
and I know you won't let me down
'cause I'm already standing on the ground
I get this feeling I may know you
as a lover and a friend
but this voice keeps whispering
in my other ear, tells me
I may never see you again
'cause I get a peaceful, easy feeling
and I know you won't let me down
'cause I'm already standing on the ground
'cause I'm already standing...
on the ground
oooo, oooo

Good morning WA2K.

Funny, Bobsmythhawk.



In case Mr. Martino is tuned into the station.
Happy Birthday, Al. I still have the signed copy of your album and the sweet note you wrote for my daughter when we met you in the record store. Nobody could sing "Dear Heart", or "Spanish Eyes" as well as you.

Raggedy, fabulous photo's, PA. For goodness sake, gal. Your daughter has a wonderful collection of autographs, and I am certain that Al is listening, as he need all the fans he can garner.

Eat your heart out, Andy and June and Vaughn.

I love Spanish Eyes, but I simply new it but, once again, didn't know that I knew it. So, Al Martino did that, did he. Thanks for putting name to song.

Johnny Mercer did, "P.S. I love you" I think, so let's hear it:


Dear, I thought I'd drop a line, the weather's
cool, the folks are fine. I'm in bed each night
at nine, P.S. I love you.

Yesterday, we had
some rain, but all in all, I can't complain; was
it dusty on the train? P.S. I love you.

Write to the Browns just as soon as you're able.
They came around to call. I burned a hole in the
dining room table, and let me see I guess that's
all.

Nothing else for me to say and so I'll close
oh, but by the way ,ev'rybody's thinkin' of you,
P.S. I love you.

If you are wondering…
We Built This City
Starship ›

Chorus:
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll

Say you don't know me or recognize my face
Say you don't care who goes to that kind of place
Knee deep in the hoopla sinking in your fight
Too many runaways eating up the night

Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don't you remember
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll

Chorus:
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll

Someone always playing corporation games
Who cares theyre always changing corporation names
We just want to dance here someone stole the stage
They call us irresponsible write us off the page

Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don't you remember
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll

We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll

Its just another Sunday, in a tired old street
Police have got the choke hold, oh then we just lost the beat

Who counts the money underneath the bar
Who rides the wrecking ball in two rock guitars
Don't tell us you need us, cos were the ship of fools
Looking for America, coming through your schools

(I'm looking out over that golden gate bridge
Out on another gorgeous sunny Saturday, not seein that bumper to bumper traffic)

Don't you remember (member)(member)

(what's your favorite radio station, in your favorite radio city
The city by the bay, the city that rocks, the city that never sleeps)

Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don't you remember
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll

We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll

Well, Try, you are a real trooper with that song, buddy. I'm afraid, however, that Letty's house may be built on sand.

nevertheless, listeners...........

Paul Simon

A winter's day
In a deep and dark December;
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

I've built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

Don't talk of love,
Well I've heard the word before;
It's sleeping in my memory.
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

I have my books
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

And a rock feels no pain;
And an island never cries

If You Don't Know Me By Now
Simply Red Lyrics


If you don't know me by now
You will never never never know me

All the things that we've been through
You should understand me like I understand you
Now girl I know the difference between right and wrong
I ain't gonna do nothing to break up our happy home
Oh don't get so excited when I come home a little late at night
Cos we only act like children when we argue fuss and fight

If you don't know me by now (If you don't know me)
You will never never never know me (No you won't)
If you don't know me by now
You will never never never know me

We've all got our own funny moods
I've got mine, woman you've got yours too
Just trust in me like I trust in you
As long as we've been together it should be so easy to do
Just get yourself together or we might as well say goodbye
What good is a love affair when you can't see eye to eye, oh

If you don't know me by now (If you don't know me)
You will never never never know me (No you won't)
If you don't know me by now (You will never never never know me)
You will never never never know me (ooh)

and in answer, listeners:

Artist: Jann Arden Lyrics
Song: You Don't Know Me Lyrics

You give your hand to me
And then you say hello
And I can hardly speak
My heart is beating so
And anyone can tell
You think you know me well
But you don't know me

No you don't know the one
Who dreams of you at night
And longs to kiss your lips
Longs to hold you tight
Oh I am just a friend
That's all I've ever been
Cause you don't know me

I never knew the art of making love
No my heart aches with love for you
Afraid and shy I let my chance go by
The chance that you might love me too

You give your hand to me
And then you say goodbye
I watch you walk away beside the lucky guy
Oh you will never know
The one who loves you so
Well you don't know me

You give your hand to me
And then you say goodbye
I watch you walk away beside the lucky guy
Oh you will never know
The one who loves you so
Cause you don't know me
Oh no you don't know me
OOhh...you don't know me

Quote for the evening

He who knows others is learned;
He who knows himself is wise.
Lao-tzu, Tao te Ching (sixth century B.C.)

i got a tin of mooncakes the other day from a guy i know through work



Mooncake is a Chinese confection that is traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival, although they can be eaten at other times of the year as well. Typical mooncakes are either round or rectangular puck-shaped pastries, measuring about 10 cm in diameter and 4-5 cm thick. They have a relatively thin crust (2-3 mm), which surrounds a thick pasty filling and may contain yolks from salted duck eggs. Mooncakes are typically rich, heavy, and dense compared with most Western cakes and pastries. It is usually eaten in small wedges accompanied by Chinese tea

luckily mine are stuffed with lotus paste, not ducks egg (i've had those, they are an acquired taste)

some moon songs

The Whole Of The Moon
The Waterboys

I pictured a rainbow
You held in your hands
I had flashes
But you saw then plan
I wondered out in the world for years
While you just stayed in your room
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon!
The whole of the moon!

You were there at the turnstiles
With the wind at your heels
You stretched for the stars
And you know how it feels
To reach too high
Too far
Too soon
You saw the whole of the moon!

I was grounded
While you filled the skies
I was dumbfounded by truths
You cut through lies
I saw the rain-dirty valley
You saw brigadoon
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon!

I spoke about wings
You just flew
I wondered, I guessed, and I tried
You just knew
I sighed
But you swooned
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon!
The whole of the moon!

With a torch in your pocket
And the wind at your heels
You climbed on the ladder
And you know how it feels
To reach too high
Too far
Too soon
You saw the whole of the moon!
The whole of the moon!

Unicorns and cannonballs,
Palaces and piers,
Trumpets, towers, and tenemets,
Wide oceans full of tears,
Flag, rags, ferry boats,
Scimitars and scarves,
Every precious dream and vision
Underneath the stars

You climbed on the ladder
With the wind in your sails
You came like a comet
Blazing your trail
Too high
Too far
Too soon
You saw the whole of the moon!


The Killing Moon
Echo & The Bunnymen

Under blue moon I saw you
So soon you'll take me
Up in your arms
Too late to beg you or cancel it
Though I know it must be the killing time
Unwillingly mine

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him

In starlit nights I saw you
So cruelly you kissed me
Your lips a magic world
Your sky all hung with jewels
The killing moon
Will come too soon

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him

Under blue moon I saw you
So soon you'll take me
Up in your arms
Too late to beg you or cancel it
Though I know it must be the killing time
Unwillingly mine

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him
You give yourself to him

La la la la la...

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him

La la la la la...

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him

La la la la la...


Grapefruit Moon
Tom Waits

Grapefruit moon, one star shining,
shining down on me.
Heard that tune, and now I'm pining,
honey, can't you see?
'Cause every time I hear that melody,
well, something breaks inside,
And the grapefruit moon, one star shining,
can't turn back the tide.

Never had no destination, could not get across.
You became my inspiration, oh but what a cost.
'Cause every time I hear that melody,
well, something breaks inside,
And the grapefruit moon, one star shining,
is more than I can hide.

Now I'm smoking cigarettes
and I strive for purity,
And I slip just like the stars into obscurity.
'Cause every time I hear that melody,
well, puts me up a tree,
And the grapefruit moon, one star shining,
is all that I can see.

dj, Welcome back, Canada. Yum! delicious looking mooncake, honey.

Didn't our delightful young friend follow it up with a bevy of silver moon songs, folks?

The moon here is still full and haunting; a harvest moon, they say:

Enya
» China Roses

Who can tell me if we have heaven,
who can say the way it should be;
Moonlight holly, the Sappho Comet,
Angel's tears below a tree.
You talk of the break of morning
as you view the new aurora,
Cloud in crimson, the key of heaven,
one love carved in acajou.
One told me of China Roses,
One a Thousand nights and one night,
Earth's last picture, the end of evening:
hue of indigo and blue.
A new moon leads me to
woods of dreams and I follow.
A new world waits for me;
my dream, my way.
I know that if I have heaven
there is nothing to desire.
Rain and river, a world of wonder
may be paradise to me.
I see the sun.
I see the stars.

Let Me

(Vera Matson - Elvis Presley)


Whenever I dance with the girl I love
My head goes round and round
When she's close to me
I can't stay on the ground

Whenever I dance with the girl I love
I never have a care
All night I'm so light
I walk right on the air

Oh let me, oh honey let me
Let me do what you know I love to do
Please take another chance and let me
Let me have another dance with you

Whenever I feel those pretty arms
Reaching round about
That feeling goes to my toes
And all the lights go out, go out, go out

Whenever I see those eyes of blue
Smiling up so shy
I'm in such a spin I take right off and fly

So let me, oh honey let me
Let me do what you know I love to do
Please take another chance and let me
Let me have another dance with you

So let me dance in the arms I love
Thrill me through and through
I'm so drunk with love
That all I see is you

I never hear the music play
I never see the crowd
Only you and me
Dancing on a cloud
Oh let me, oh honey let me
Let me do what you know I love to do
Please take another chance and let me
Let me have, another dance, with you