American singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka. Taken at the 2007 Scream Awards. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
When you hear someone say, “Neil Sedaka,” what do you think of? I believe most people think of some 50’s simplistic Rock and Roll tune, like the happy-go-lucky-even-if-slightly-naieve, Next Door To An Angel. If that’s what you’re thinking, then please read on because the next time you hear the name, Neil Sedaka, you’re going to think twice. NO, not twice more like somewhere between 300-500 – that’s how many songs he wrote. Neil Sedaka is a consummate composer. I tried to do some quick research and find the answer to this burning question – just how many songs did Neil Sedaka write and/or cowrite? I found a list of about 270 titles and in Wikipedia, it says he wrote 500. Either way, it’s one hell of a lot of musical talent.
Neil Sedaka was playing the piano when he was eight years old. When he was in high school in Brooklyn, NY he formed a Doo Wop group with now-famous classmates, known as The Tokens. He was accepted into the prestigious Julliard School of Music in Manhattan, where his parents hoped he would become a concert pianist. He is a concert pianist, he just doesn’t perform as one – believe me he plays beautifully as he demonstrated tonight at the end of his concert.
BUT tonight’s concert inspired this blog, not so much as a review of his performance but rather more as an homage to his enduring creative talent, a God-given gift (his words). I wanted to use the word, genius, however, genius connotes (to me anyway) a talent at an extraordinary level. Maybe he is composing at an extraordinary level and I don’t recognize it because he makes it seem so easy. As he said; he sits at the piano, comes up with a tempo, then a melody and then lyrics. Sounds simple, right? NOT!
For me, this evening was yet another trip down nostalgia lane. Oh those songs! I think I sat there with a lump in my throat for most of the evening and a couple brought tears to my eyes. The love songs had lyrics that pluck at your heart-strings. I guess when you’re a woman of a certain age you can’t help but remember where you were, who you were with and when. I can’t tell you what I had for dinner 4 nights ago, but I knew every word to every song! Scary isn’t it? And most of all I think his lyrics tell it like it is. Mr. Sedaka said that he drew inspiration for his songs from his family and friends. And the he told us he has been married to the lovely Leba, his wife of 50 years. She must truly be the love of his life – how else could one feel and express such emotion. From heartbreak to regrets, to wishing and dreaming of true love, and from longing to loving forever, the music plays on, the romance continues and all in words you can clearly understand and remember!
The following are just a few of the songs performed this evening:
And also the sad but very real Solitaire, Lonely Night, Should Have Never Let You Go, I Let You Walk Away. The lyrics are haunting. Often at a concert, the performer introduces some new song they’ve written or recorded and I have mostly been disappointed. Not so tonight. Neil Sedaka is still writing songs and sang one from a few years ago, You. Now that’s a love song! It had to appeal to the large majority of middle-age couples and seniors in the audience. It is a story of the lifetime love between two people, very sweet. I loved it!
Neil Sedaka has been writing and singing songs for over 55 years. The list is way too long for this blog, for as he said tonight, “I’ve a got a million”. However, so many of the songs were hits and released many times over by various artists, I think you’ll know every one of them:
Carol
Alone At Last
Angel Eyes
Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Cathy’s Clown
It’s All In The Game
Climb Up (Stairway to Heaven)
Proud Mary
Stagger Lee
Tears On My Pillow
The Diary
Related articles
- Neil Sedaka – Neil Sedaka Marks 50th Wedding Anniversary With Europe Trip (contactmusic.com)
- Bad Blood: Neil Sedaka (and Elton John) give a ‘bro’ some good advice, 1975 (dangerousminds.net)
Bill Ding and his band of clowns are the security patrol for this blog site. He is a favorite toy from the 50*s. By the way sometimes a blog is just an ego-maniacal stream of conscience.
Pbenjay's Blog 
No doubt about it he is a genius