Steveh Posted September 10, 2002 Share Posted September 10, 2002 Time to split hairs again, this time at halftime of the Monday Night Football game. Two songs that many of us can't seem to stop playing, no matter how much we try, are fortunately on the same CD. If you had just four minutes to listen to one of these two songs, which would you choose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted September 10, 2002 Share Posted September 10, 2002 "I Wanna Take Forever Tonight" was my choice for "the perfect song" scenario. It's just THE song any girl would want to hear. It expresses what we wait a lifetime to hear...any thoughts, Steve?Good poll, though. It seems like you think of polls where I can actually make a choice! Very nurturing to my psyche! But, then, you're a psychologist, aren't you? --Getting-more-independent-Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted September 10, 2002 Share Posted September 10, 2002 Ugh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted September 10, 2002 Author Share Posted September 10, 2002 Darlene, I agree. I Wanna Take Forever Tonight is an incredible song, and it gets my vote, but I also like Isn't It Romantic (of course). I think these are two pretty similar songs, both among his very best ever. Speaking of tough decisions, it really is hard to decide which EC songs to play if you have only a limited time (eg., in the car going to work).Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted September 12, 2002 Author Share Posted September 12, 2002 Darlene,Re: the lyrics of I Wanna Take Forever Tonight ñ Eric is in a class by himself when it comes to romance. I wonder how many times in a row I could listen to that song before I decide to give it a rest.Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted September 12, 2002 Share Posted September 12, 2002 SteveH and others, just for the record I don't believe Eric has much involvement in lyric writing anymore. So most of those "romantic" lyrics on "Winter Dreams" are actually penned by others. For example, Andy Goldmark wrote "I Wanna Take Forever Tonight."Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggiesjc Posted September 12, 2002 Share Posted September 12, 2002 I Wanna Take Forever Tonight gets my vote. When I heard it on the Winter Dreams album, I thought it was new, but found out that it had been sung by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant, I think (are those the two who sang it?), and had been on the radio. I listen to a lot of radio, so their version must have been pretty unmemorable. However, I *LOVE* EC's version, and to me, it is a whole new song. What a delight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew C. Clark Posted September 12, 2002 Share Posted September 12, 2002 It is Crystal Bernard (of TV's "Wings") who sings with Peter Cetera on "(I Wanna Take) Forever Tonight". Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggiesjc Posted September 12, 2002 Share Posted September 12, 2002 Thanks, Matt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryeyes Posted September 12, 2002 Share Posted September 12, 2002 Isn't It Romantic gets my vote.I just ...melt....everytime I here that songGina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew C. Clark Posted September 13, 2002 Share Posted September 13, 2002 You can find "(I Wanna Take) Forever Tonight" on Peter Cetera's "One Clear Voice" or "You're The Inspiration: A Collection" on River North Records (CD's). Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted September 13, 2002 Share Posted September 13, 2002 Marvin Dear Marvin, In one of the interviews I remember reading (or maybe it was an answer to an"Ask Eric" question, I remember Eric saying thathe and Diane Warren threw lyrics back to each other and gave out lines to each other, playing off each other. This is the way a lot of songwriters work (as in Nashville): Sometimes there are like 8 people sitting around for hours,days, whatever, sending out for food and having agiant "think tank," so it's not like Eric ISN'Tinvolved in writing lyrics. He's writing them with other writers, a lot. He's collaborating with other lyricists, I'm sure, and nixing and changing and editing things as well. It doesn'talways happen like Bernie Taupin sending Elton some lyrics, and then Elton does the music. Sometimes it does happen that way, but I have a feeling a lot more of those lyrics are Eric's thanyou think. Cheer up, maybe Eric's next album willhave more live instruments on it, and some songswritten totally by Eric "all by himself." In themeantime, Marvin, things AREN'T hopeless! Smile,don't say "UGH"! --Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted September 13, 2002 Share Posted September 13, 2002 That Crystal Bernard sings as good as she looks. They did a great job on that song and didn't overdo that "Baby, Oh baby" part like Eric does.Sometimes it's like fingernails on the chalkboard...Baby, oh baby, baaaaaaaaby... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted September 13, 2002 Author Share Posted September 13, 2002 Marvin, Your post on 9/11 was a terrorist attack on my emotional state. My adoration of Eric is totally deflated, my spirits are severely crushed, and I can no longer listen to "Winter Dreams" or any other Eric Carmen CD. I am going into a long state of hibernation, my theme song being "I Wanna Sleep Forever Tonight". I am signing off forever from Ericcarmen.com.....NOT!!!!!!!Steveh :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted September 13, 2002 Share Posted September 13, 2002 So sensitive Steveh. Just like all us E.C. junkies who were teased in high school for liking sappy romantic ballads, and accused of being gay for not liking the hard rockers more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted September 13, 2002 Share Posted September 13, 2002 Ah I love a forum like this where everyone's opinion is valued and respected. Thanks y'all!Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted September 13, 2002 Share Posted September 13, 2002 Darlene and everyone else, I never said that Eric DID NOT write lyrics anymore, I said he doesn't focus on lyrics as much as he does on writing melodies. I believe that I read somewhere where he even said that he is more a melodist than a lyricist. Nothing wrong with that. When he wants to, he can still churn out a great melody and tie it to great lyrics (i.e. the entire "Boats" album, and stuff like "Desperate Fools", and "The Way We Used to Be.")Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted September 13, 2002 Share Posted September 13, 2002 Marvin, you say whatever you feel. Eric is not God. He knows it, we know it. (Most of us) It's just that listening to some of his songs makes us feel like, for a moment, we are in heaven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregkevinw Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 Steve, Both of these songs are wonderful tunes. I voted for "Forever" because the lyrics are excellent. But I actually like to listen to the Cetera/Bernard version better than Eric's. (sorry gang!)Any male listening to Bernards voice inflections in that song who doesn't feel a little "romantic" needs a check up! So I guess I am saying that I would rather have Crystal sing those lyrics to me than Eric. Sorry big guy!As for marvin and your opinions... I want to echo Tony Cartmills sentiments, I think Tony expressed it perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 IT IS IRONIC THAT IN OCTOBER OF 1979 ERIC PUT FORTH ONE OF THE SOFTEST PERFORMANCES ON AMERICAN BANDSTANDS HISTORY...PUTTING TO REST A DECADE OF SELF INDULGENCE AND IRREVERSIBLE STD'S.ERIC PROCLAIMS IN SUCH A MACHO MANNER WHILE WEARING SUCH AN INTIMIDATING PURPLE JUMPSUIT THAT HE IS..."ALL BY MYSELF"THIS PERFORMANCE LED TO A SEMESTER OF BOTH JOKING AND SATIRE BASED ON THE LITTLE JADED BOY FROM OHIO AND OF THE "SOFTNESS" WHICH HE SO INSTILLED. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 Eric's choices of hair style and on-stage outfits over the years have made me wonder if he really knew what kind of image he wanted for himself, or if he really cared, as long as the music was heard. I think he left it up to too many stupid record company P.R. guys/girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted September 17, 2002 Author Share Posted September 17, 2002 I Wanna Take Forever Tonight is the winner, 8-4. I am so glad I bought a used copy of I Was Born To Love You ñ there was no insert telling me who wrote the songs or when they were made. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss! Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted September 17, 2002 Share Posted September 17, 2002 Tony, Eric has always been so impeccable about his appearance, and also so much his own person, I would think that HE chose his hairstyles and outfits onstage. I think in one of the archived interviews, a woman from the record company or something says she went shopping with Eric for stage clothes, but I'm sure all this stuff was ultimately his decision. It doesn't sound like Eric to let someone else choose something so personal for him. And I think he always did just fine...As for his music, I think THAT was the most important thing to him: getting the music out there and heard by the audience just as he wanted it heard.--Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted September 17, 2002 Share Posted September 17, 2002 Good God Darlene, please blame his outfits on some annonymous PR person...Please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted September 18, 2002 Author Share Posted September 18, 2002 Darlene, I agree that Eric would take total responsibility for his choices re: clothing and hairstyle. And, most importantly, his music. I don't care one little bit about his clothes, hairstyle, political party, ethnic origin, etc., etc. - IT'S THE MUSIC!Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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