Jolene

It's been a while since I've pulled out a song from the treasure trove of my childhood idol Olivia Newton-John. Luckily, today I once again have reason to reach into that vault. I saw a video on Facebook of my friend's daughter singing this classic song (Dolly Parton's original version):

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can

Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green

Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you, Jolene

He talks about you in his sleep
There's nothing I can do to keep
From crying when he calls your name, Jolene

And I can easily understand
How you could easily take my man
But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can

You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He's the only one for me, Jolene

I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do, Jolene

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him even though you can

Jolene, Jolene

It was beautiful to see and hear her singing it. Almost as beautiful as it is to see my beloved Aussie belting out the same song.

And while ONJ gets my vote every time, I do love this version of Dolly performing with Miley Cyrus.

Dang Jolene, you inspired a lot of awesome voices to warn you against stealing her man!

Come On Over

I heard this song playing on a radio recently -- can't remember exactly where -- but I think it was in a store. Anyway, as I've mentioned before, I grew up idolizing Olivia Newton-John. I knew the words to all of her songs, I had her records (some were mine and some were my Mom's) and I used to set up a little stage in my room, complete with a spotlight -- and belt out her songs.

This one was, and still is, one of my favorites:

If my life gets like a jigsaw
With the pieces out of place
Come on over
Put a smile back on my face
And if all my bad days came at once
You would know just what to do
Come on over
Baby, you would see me through

And if you think I need you
Come on over
Bring your love around
You can dry away my tears
And if you think I need you
Come on over
Lay your body down
You know I will be here
So bring your love around

When I cannot see in front of me
And I know my darkest day (I always thought this line was and you know my dog is dead -- oops!)
Come on over
You can take it all away

And if you think I need you
Come on over
Bring your love around
You can wipe away my tears
And if you think I need you
Come on over
Lay your body down
You know I will be here
So bring your love around

I woke up with it in my head this morning, which feels appropriate because, while she didn't come on over (she lives in Colorado) -- I did get to connect with one of my closest friends last night -- and it felt awesome.

Thanks Universe, for delivering so immediately on my desire for intimacy. And now for someone local who can come on over...

If you think
If you think I need you
Come on over

A Little More Love

I don't know if it's the time change, the late night phone calls, the champagne at bookclub last night, or some other unidentifiable reason -- but this afternoon during my "work time" at the coffee shop I was having a really hard time staying awake. I had some decaf coffee (I know that sounds like part of the problem, but I don't do well with the caffeinated variety), and then I had a diet coke, and still, I felt sluggish.

Until they played this number, that is:

Cause it gets me nowhere to tell you no

And it gets me nowhere to make you go

Will a little more love make you start depending

Will a little more love bring a happy ending

Will a little more love make it right?

Will a little more love make it right?

ONJ always lights me up. She was truly one of the brightest spots in my childhood, inspiring me to get up on my table, shine my desk lamp onto myself, and belt out numbers like this. At the time, I didn't have an answer to the question she poses in that verse, but this afternoon I answered with a resounding affirmative.

As an added bonus, you can check her out in all her 80s glory. Enjoy!