from SONGWRITERS FOR THE STARS VOL. 2
Written by David Foster & Boz Scaggs
In the early eighties, David Foster was already building a solid reputation among music lovers who didn’t just listen to their favorite music, but regularly hunted the albums’ liner notes looking for the names of musicians, songwriters and producers. His innovative, quality pop work received immediate recognition especially in Japan and Northern Europe. Consequently, the Canadian music-maker was one of the celebrated tunesmiths invited to appear on the 1982 Norwegian TV show, Songwriters For The Stars. Along with Foster, the show featured hit-makers Bruce Roberts, Roger Nichols, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Jimmy Webb and Rupert Holmes.
Along with Foster, the show featured hit-makers Bruce Roberts, Roger Nichols, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Jimmy Webb and Rupert Holmes. Every week, one of the celebrated songwriters performed their hits backed up by an orchestra conducted by Fred Noddelund and included the best Norwegian and Swedish musicians and singers. In May of 1982, the up’n’coming Hitman played live renditions of five songs he co-wrote with Kenny Loggins, Boz Scaggs and Jay Graydon. It wasn’t easy to decide which song to feature for this week’s review between solid gems including “Love, Look What You’ve Done To Me,” “If It’s Not What You’re Looking For, “Nothing You Can Do About It,” “After The Love Is Gone” and “Simone.” The last was eventually settled upon for the Song of the Week.
The smooth and silky sounds of “Simone” were beautifully covered by Foster on piano with guest vocals by veteran Swedish rock singer Bjorn Skifs. Skifs’ powerful singing and rocking guitar break gave the song a smidge of a different flavor, yet the song kept all its gorgeous soul/pop power. “Simone” was also fueled with intricate changes and a lush instrumental arrangement.
Foster’s five songs were coupled with the five performed by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and released in Norway on Songwriters For The Stars Volume 2. That album was reissued in Sweden on cd around 1994 by a group of Foster aficionados. Recently, “Simone” and “If It’s Not What You’re Looking For,” the second song from the show that featured Skifs on lead vocals, were included on Every Bit Of My Life 1967-2017, a box set that celebrated the singer’s long and successful career.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2214-bjorn_skifs-simone.mp3|titles=Simone|artists=Bjorn Skifs]
Lead Vocals: Bjorn Skifs
Piano: David Foster
Fender Rhodes & Synthesizer: Iver Kleive
Guitar & Solo: Freddy Lindquist
Guitar: Pete Knudsen
Drums & Percussion: Sven Christiansen
Bass: Sveinung Hovensjo
Trumpet, Flugelhorn & Percussion: Fred Noddelund
Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Petter Kateraas
Alto & Baritone Saxophone: Johan Bergli
Tenor Saxophone & Flute: Knut Riisnaes
Trombone & Tuba: Jens Wendelboe
Backing Vocals: Hege Schoyen, Kari Gjaerum, Mami Noddelund & Svein Gundersen
Arranged by Fred Noddelund
Produced by Eirik Wangberg with Fred Noddelund
Lyrics
Darling, let’s stop this pretending
What more is there to say?
Here’s to your eyes and my final demise
Oh, Simone, it’s you
I knew from the start that my easily-touched heart
Was about to go out for a ride
Conquer the room with a touch of perfume
Oh, Simone, it’s you
Oh, Simone, my heart is breakin’
Yes, my dear, I think it’s goin’ fast
Gotta let me know
Gotta let it show, for it to last
Oh, Simone, to hold you
Dance you into the night
And on into the dawn
And on and on and on to make it right
Make it romantic, make it up I don’t care
Look up and sigh even if it’s a lie
Oh, Simone, what can I do?
What charm could sway me
Then burn and betray me
But thrill me the way that you do
Second to none, so completely undone
Oh, Simone, it’s you
Oh, Simone, my heart is breakin’
Yes, my dear, I think it’s goin’ fast
Gotta let me know
Gotta let it show, for it to last
Oh, Simone, to hold you
Dance you into the night
And on into the dawn
And on and on and on to make it right
It’s time they told you, it’s about time you knew
Straighten your gown throw a Manhattan down
Yes, Simone, it’s true
What do you think, you’re foolin’ somebody
Do you think that I can’t see?
There’s no doubt, not a trace
It’s all over your face
Oh, Simone, it’s me, ooh
Oh, Simone, my heart is breakin’
Yes, my dear, I think it’s goin’ fast
Gotta let me know
Gotta let it show, for it to last
Oh, Simone, to hold you
Dance you into the night
And on into the dawn
And on and on and on to make it right, oh
Yes, my dear, I think it’s goin’ fast