The Forgotten Music

1. “Fascination” by F.D. Marchetti and Maurice de Féraudy (1932)
3:12
I was surprised to find out that the original version of this song is from 1932, making it one of the older ones featured on this tape. I’ve always thought the main motif of this tune sounded like “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” by Elvis. The accordion is particularly charming and makes me feel like I’m in a French café.

2. “A Man and a Woman” by Francis Lai (1966)
2:34
Perhaps even dreamier than “Fascination,” this song is from the French film of the same name (Un homme et une femme) and is probably actually played in French cafes. The ending is lovely with the flute (?) popping in and out sounding like butterflies fluttering.

Isabella Rossellini in Blue Velvet, 1986

3. “Only You” by Buck Ram and Ande Rand (1955)
2:14
The decision to only use the vocals sparingly, along with the twangy Ennio Morricone-like guitar gives this version of the song a decidedly haunting quality that far surpasses the Platters version, in my opinion. The xylophone is wonderful. More people need to use xylophones these days.

4. “Music To Watch Girls By” by The Bob Crewe Generation (1967)
2:12
The twangy guitar is even more echoey here and I can’t help but picture the guitars being played by invisible hands while wraithlike women and ghostly men sing the “la la la” and “ba ba ba” parts. I saw Combustible Edison perform this live in the 90s and was thrilled to discover that it actually has lyrics!

5. “Blue Velvet” by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris (1951)
2:35
I already knew this song from childhood as I was a huge fan of Bobby Vinton’s 70s variety TV show. And then later, I loved its use in the David Lynch film. Here it becomes even creepier, if that’s at all possible.

6. “Those Were The Days” (aka “Dorogoi dlinnoyu”) by Gene Raskin, Boris Fomin, and Konstantin Podrevskii (1968)
2:18
Wikipedia indicates that Gene Raskin added English lyrics to a Russian song, and knowing that the vibrant quality of it suddenly makes more sense. It seems like something that would be played at a wedding reception while people performed folk dances. There’s a spooky harmonica interlude about halfway through which evokes “Man With Harmonica” from the soundtrack to Once Upon A Time In The West.

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Songs seven through thirteen

Or download the zipped file of all the songs.

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