Johanna Allen: The other songs that got away

Songstress Johanna Allen opens her solo show Harold Arlen: The Songs That Got Away tonight at Glen St Theatre. We caught up with her to find out her top “other” songs that got away…

The thing about Harold Arlen, is that while his songs became famous – somehow he remained unknown. He wasn’t associated with the music he wrote – it was always remembered by the women who sang the songs – Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland to name a few. Some would say that hasn’t changed but it led to thinking about songs that have also ‘got away.’

Either we’ve never heard of the person who sang them or they stand alone and we wonder… why that person didn’t write more?

“One hit wonders” … “Whatever happened to them?”

Here’s some more ‘Songs that Got Away’….

PSY: GANGNAM STYLE

I admit. I have been on dance floors. I have done the dance. I always liked the satire of the film clip too. I’m not quite sure where Psy is now, but I’m pretty sure he’s fine. This one hit wonder studied business administration at Boston University and music at Berkley.

MC HAMMER: CAN’T TOUCH THIS

The man and the song responsible for my purchase of ‘happy pants.’ It wasn’t good people. Where is he now I wonder?

CARL ORFF: CARMINA BURANA

Ah yes. There are songs that got away in the classical world also:

IRENE CARA: OUT HERE ON MY OWN

I discovered this stunning song when I watched Fame the musical at the Festival Theatre. Co-incidentally this production starred my now musical director at Sound of Music, Luke Hunter, in one of the lead roles. I love this song. Actually, if truth be told, I love every single song on the soundtrack of Fame the original TV series. This one I particularly love because I can use it in an audition, every time they say ‘pop ballad’.

STEPHEN BISHOP: IT MIGHT BE YOU

Confession: This is the love song theme from Tootsie. That very wonderful movie starring Dustin Hoffman. I love this song. I love its daggy 1982 produced sound. I love the words. Stephen Bishop – I don’t know who or where you are, but thank you. I will work this song into a Cabaret show somewhere if it’s the last thing I do….

TORI AMOS: SIREN

Tori Amos is by no means a one hit wonder, but no one else seems to have seen the film adaption of Great Expectations where I found this, except me. It starred Ethan Hawke as Pip and Anne Bancroft as Miss Havisham. Anyone? I think I’m the only person who bought the soundtrack, which I loved and still love.

This song is called Siren. Say no more.

NEVER ENDING STORY: LIMAHL

Know who sang the song from ‘The Never Ending Story”? Nope. Me either. But we all know who the chorus goes…. ‘ahiah ahiah ahiah…’

A SELECTION FROM THE SONGS THAT GOT AWAY

Harold Arlen, the original enigma wrote so many songs that ‘got away’ from him. Here’s a selection in our show reel. The stories behind them are fascinating. Come and see the show at Glen St to learn more. I promise you, you’ll know all the songs. And you’ll learn about the person who wrote them!