Written by Billy Preston & Bruce Fischer

 

Co-written by the late Billy Preston (1946-2006) with songwriter/producer, Bruce Fischer, “You Are So Beautiful” was a beautiful ballad that became an evergreen. Preston was acknowledged as the “Fifth Beatle” for his fabulous organ playing on “Get Back” found on The Beatles’ Let It Be album. 

This exquisite serenade was first released by Preston on his 1974 album, The Kids & Me. Later that year, legendary UK singer, Joe Cocker (1944-2014), recorded the definitive version of “You Are So Beautiful” on his I Can Stand A Little Rain album. It was released as a single in the fall of 1974 and reached #5 on Billboard’s Hot 100, thus becoming one of Cocker’s signature songs and a timeless pop classic. “You Are So Beautiful” was covered  by dozens of singers including the wonderful Kenny Rogers (1938-2020), the amazing Michael Bolton and the fabulous Diana Ross.

Another great version of “You Are So Beautiful” came in 2016 by newcomer Jordan Smith, the winner of NBC’s singing competition,The Voice ninth season. Smith recorded a stunning version of “You Are So Beautiful” for his debut cd, Something Beautiful. David Foster produced this track along with three others for Smith’s record. Foster’s and Smith’s version of “You Are So Beautiful” was focused on Smith’s angelic voice with the delicate support from Foster’s gorgeous acoustic piano. This stripped down arrangement kept the emotional power of the classic composition although Smith’s pure and crystal-clear performance was the opposite of Cocker’s aching and gritty one. Something Beautiful was an out-of-the-box success, debuted at #2 on Billboard Top 200 and reached #1 in the iTunes Store.

• Lead Vocals: Jordan Smith
• Piano & Keyboards: David Foster

• Produced & Arranged by David Foster
• Co-Produced by Jochem van der Saag

Lyrics

You are so beautiful
To me
You are so beautiful
To me
Can’t you see
You’re everything I hoped for
You’re everything I need
You are so beautiful
To me

You are so beautiful
To me
You are so beautiful
To me
Can’t you see
You’re everything I hoped for
Everything I need
You are so beautiful
To me

Written by Alan Lindgren & Neil Diamond

“Hello Again” was a beautiful love song performed by the unparalleled talent of Neil Diamond. The legendary singer co-wrote it with his former musical director and collaborator, Alan Lindgren, for the soundtrack of his 1980 movie debut, The Jazz Singer. Diamond was at the peak of his career. The gorgeous melody of “Hello Again” gave Diamond another solid hit reaching #6 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and #3 on the Adult Contemporary charts.

Fast forward to 2014 when David Foster, who worked steadily with Diamond throughout the 80’s, recorded a new version of “Hello Again” for Ruben Studdard’s cd, Unconditional Love. The former American Idol alumni was already a fixture of Foster’s musical events and tours. The natural sequence of events had the Hitman sign Studdard to Verve Records.

Unconditional Love was a perfectly crafted record. It had a refined atmosphere in a soul/R&B vein that was clearly unfluenced by the incomparable Luther Vandross (1951-2005). Foster oversaw the whole project while playing and producing a few tracks including “Hello Again.” Studdard’s version of this adult pop classic goes in a soulful direction with an arrangement based on multi-layered keyboards and lush strings. Studdard gave his usual outstanding vocal performance, smooth yet powerful and perfectly suited for the song’s tender atmosphere. Studdard’s vocals throughout Unconditional Love were  remarkable and confirm him as one of the best soul singers of his generation.

Here are a few words from Foster about this song and collaboration:

“I love Ruben’s voice, always have. I thought ‘Hello Again’ would be a great song for him and I think I was right. He really sounds like silk on this production and, of course, Neil is one of the best songwriters ever.”

• Lead Vocals: Ruben Studdard
• Keyboards: David Foster
• Synth, Programming & Sound Design: Jochem van der Saag

• Arranged by David Foster
• Produced by David Foster & Jochem van der Saag

Lyrics

Hello, again, hello
Just called to say hello
I couldn’t sleep at all tonight
And I know it’s late
I couldn’t wait

Hello, my friend, hello
Just called to let you know
I think about you every night
When I’m here alone
And you’re there at home
Hello

Maybe it’s been crazy
And maybe I’m to blame
But I put my heart above my head
We’ve been through it all and you love me just the same
And when your not there
I just need to hear

Hello, my friend, hello
It’s good to need you so
It’s good to love you like I do
And I feel this way when I hear you say
Hello

Hello, my friend, hello
Just called to let you know
I think about you every night
And I know it’s late but I could’t wait
Hello

 Written by Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff

“If You Don’t Know Me By Now” is a classic R&B slow jam co-written by noted songwriters and “Philly Sound” hit-makers  Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. It seemed like the song was originally written for the powerful R&B trio, Labelle. Actually, it was eventually recorded by soul act Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes.

“If You Don’t Know Me By Now” was released in September 1972 and met immediate success in both sales and radio play. This ballad, with its gorgeous melody and beautiful lyrics was sung by the fabulous Teddy Pendergrass (1950-2010). The song went to #3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and #1 on the R&B chart. Seventeen years later, in 1989, British pop-soul act Simply Red recorded a new version of “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” that gave this classic tune another impressive run of success. Simply Red’s cover, sung by the group’s leader Mick Hucknall, skyrocketed to #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and reached the top ten of the worldwide charts.

Among the more recent covers of “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” stands the one by UK superstar Seal who recorded it for his 2008 hit cd, Soul. Seal’s take of the Gamble & Huff masterpiece was produced by David Foster who was at the helm of the whole Soul project. Foster’s arrangement breathed new life into the trademark melody. Foster played some beautiful piano, thus perfectly supporting the singer’s noteworthy performance. Foster’s and Seal’s take on such a well-known composition was totally on target and would have made Teddy Pendergrass proud. In fact, this cover was a top ten Adult Contemporary hit. The song even brought the UK singing sensation a well-deserved Grammy nod as Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

To end the review, David Foster kindly added some welcome notes about this production:

“We really took a chance with this song as it had been a hit twice already for Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and Simply Red. I’ve always loved ‘If You Don’t Love Me By Now’ and it was a perfect song to show off Seal’s amazing vocal skills and some nice DF piano. To this day, I think it’s one of Seal’s best vocals ever. Also, it’s a fun and easy song to perform live with just piano and vocal.”

• Lead & Backing Vocals: Seal
• Acoustic Piano & Keyboards: David Foster
• Guitar: Michael Thompson
• Bass: Nathan East
• Organ & Drum Programming: Jochem van der Saag
• Produced & Arranged by David Foster
• Co-Produced by Jochem van der Saag

Lyrics

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
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
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

If you don’t know me by now
You will never
Never never know me

Written by Charlie Puth, Johan Carlsson, Ilsey Juber & Scott Harris.

“Love You Anymore” was the second single taken from Michael Bublé’s 2018 Love cd. This catchy ditty was co-written by the ultra-talented American singer/songwriter and music-maker Charlie Puth, Johan Carlsson, a Swedish/American producer and songwriter who has worked with top names including Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Keith Urban, Jason Derulo and Katy Perry plus California-based singer/songwriter Ilsey Juber.

“Love You Anymore” was put in the capable hands of David Foster who produced the whole Love cd together with Jochem van der Saag and Bublé. Foster came out of retirement to help his old friend. Foster brought his usual sophisticated arrangements and slick sounds to the table. The Hitman crafted “Love You Anymore” with Carlsson and van der Saag and the result was an extremely radio-friendly song that brings together Foster’s trademark adult pop with the new musical trends of today. With its melodic power and guitar-driven atmosphere, “Love You Anymore” was a great showcase for Bublé’s bold voice backed up by Puth’s sweet vocal harmonies. This ballad was a Top Ten Adult Contemporary hit in the US. Love became a worldwide success, reaching #2 on Billboard’s Top 200, #1 on the UK chart and a certified hit in several countries.

The Hitman while on his recent tour in the Philippines sent us a note about “Love You Anymore:”

“I Loved this song from the first minute I heard it. I’m a big fan of Charlie Puth! I was hoping we would get more traction on ‘Love You Anymore.’ than what we actually did. There’s never any rhyme or reason for songs to work or not but sure this song had potential.”

• Lead Vocals: Michael Bublé
• Electric Guitar: Johan Carlsson
• Slide Guitar: Dean Parks
• Keyboards: David Foster & Johan Carlsson
• Percussion: Jochem van der Saag
• Background Vocals: Charlie Puth

• Arranged by Johan Carlsson, David Foster & Jochem van der Saag
• Produced by David Foster, Jochem van der Saag & Michael Bublé

Lyrics

Just because I wander ’round the places we would go
Hoping that I’d run into you one last time
Just because I never took your picture off my phone
Doesn’t mean that you’re still on my mind

Just because I accidentally slipped and said your name
Well, I heard your song, it makes me insecure
Just because I know I’ll never ever feel the same
Doesn’t mean I love you anymore

Am I lying to myself again
When I say you’re not the best I’ve ever had
Am I lying to myself again
When I say that I’m not missing you so bad

Just because I’m on my knees and swearing I would change
And I’d do anything to hear you say, “I’m yours”
Just because I know I’ll never ever feel the same
Doesn’t mean I love you anymore

Am I lying to myself again
When I say you’re not the best I’ve ever had
Am I lying to myself again
When I say that I’m not missing you so bad

Just because I’m on my knees and swearing I would change
And do anything to hear you say, “I’m yours”
Just because I know I’ll never ever feel the same
Doesn’t mean I love you anymore, more
Doesn’t mean I love you anymore (anymore, anymore)
Doesn’t mean I love you anymore

“Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” was an acoustic pop song written and sung by late American singer/songwriter, Jim Croce (1943-1973). Included on Croce’s 1972 You Don’t Mess Around With Jim album, “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” was one of the three hit singles off the album. Together with the title-track and the gorgeous “Time In A Bottle,” “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” reminded the listeners of a simpler time when one would actually talk to a person to make a long-distance call. Unfortunately, Croce died in an plane crash the year after the release of You Don’t Mess Around With Jim. 

In Croce’s brief career, he left a string of wonderful songs like the aforementioned “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” that have been covered by many important artists including Glen Campbell, Kenny “Babyface’ Edmonds, Roger Whittaker and Josh Turner. “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” was picked by Canadian jazz songbird Diana Krall with David Foster for the singer’s 2015 cd, Wallflower. Foster, the producer of Wallflower, crafted a gorgeous, restrained arrangement with superb orchestration courtesy of William Ross who brought this classic song to new life. Ms. Krall’s subdued and beautiful vocal was proof that often “less is more.” Her tender, moving performance was pure ear candy. Ms. Krall was perfectly supported by the unmistakable backing harmonies of two world-class legends: Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. Stills also offered the tasteful and elegant electric guitar accompaniment while Foster played the piano on this piece. A joy to listen to from beginning to end, Wallflower offered original, creative readings on many evergreens. It was, without a doubt, one of Foster’s best productions of the new millennium and puts the spotlight on a different side of Ms. Krall’s amazing talent as a pop singer.

Listen

• Lead Vocals: Diana Krall
• Acoustic Guitar: Michael Thompson & Ramon Stagnaro
• Drums: Karriem Riggins
• Electric Guitar: Stephen Stills
• Bass: Dennis Crouch
• Piano: David Foster
• Programming & Sound Design: Jochem van der Saag
• Backing Vocals: Graham Nash & Stephen Stills
• Orchestral Arrangement by David Foster & William Ross
• Produced & Arranged by David Foster
• Co-Produced by Jochem van der Saag

Lyrics

Operator, could you help me place this call
You see the number on the match box is old and faded
He’s living in L.A
With my best old ex friend ray
A girl he said he knew well but sometimes hated

Isn’t that the way they say it goes
But lets forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell him I’m fine
And to show, I overcome the blow
I learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn’t real
But that’s not the way it feels

Operator, could you help me place this call
‘Cause I can’t read the number that you just gave me
There’s something in my eyes
You know it happens everytime
I think about the love that I thought would save me

But isn’t that the way they say it goes
But lets forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell him I’m fine
And to show, I overcome the blow
I learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn’t real
But that’s not the way it feels, no, no
That’s not the way it feels,
Operator, lets forget about this call
There’s no one there I really wanted to talk to
Thank you for your time
You’ve been so much more then kind

You can keep the dime

But isn’t that the way they say it goes
But lets forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell him I’m fine
And to show, I overcome the blow
I learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn’t real
But that’s not the way it feels

Oh no no no
That’s not the way it feels, no no no