Is it me or is there a slight sadness in all of Harry Nilsson's songs?

[Taverner]

Even his happy ones - its like there's a trace of melancholy in there somewhere.

[Arugula Latte]

1. Well, you put the lime in the coconut and you drink it all up and then it's gone.

:(

[skygazer]

2. Yeah, I've always felt that

I love Harry Nilsson - he was such a talented guy. But yes, I always felt like there was a lot of sadness within him. Which makes for a lot of depth in his music.

[plcdude]

4. I too

have always appreciated his work and yes there is a little sad in him but maybe there is a little sad in us all that appeals to us.

[MrCoffee]

3. You are really feeling the Midnight Cowboy vibe today, Taverner.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

5. Maybe he knew

he wasn't gonna be around long, and he was having a good time, and that made him sad.

Or else he just had a clear vision of life and knew it would break everyone's heart in the end.

[Shakespeare]

6. He's pretty much known for his melancholy.

So, yeah, Captain Obvious. ;-)

He also had one of the most beautiful voices ever recorded.

[Taverner]

7. Really? I always thought he was known for his Beatlesque Pop Dittys

"Coconut", "Me and My Arrow","You're Breaking My Heart" and "Cuddly Toy"

But then again, I was born in 1970. I can only look at his work in retrospect...

[Shakespeare]

8. "I Can't Live (if Living is Without You)" is his major hit.

And an absolute heartbreaker.

I'm a 1964 baby, so I'm in pretty much the same situation (but "discovered" him several years ago). Give Nilsson Schmilsson a listen sometime--incredible album.

[tigereye]

9. yes, I would say so...

[EastTennesseeDem]

10. I detect some sadness in "Without You"

Just a little. Not much though.

[no name no slogan]

11. Harry Nilsson was the Elliott Smith of the 1970s

Wait, does that make sense?

[Taverner]

12. Dude you just hit the nail on the head

I have been thinking the same exact thing!

[no name no slogan]

14. Great minds think alike, mi amigo

I was half-kidding at first, but the more I think about it there are a lot of similarities: the Beatles-esque melodies and arrangements, the passionate vocals (though passionate in different ways), etc. Crazy.

:toast:

[Taverner]

15. And get this: Lennon and McCartney's favorite singer in 1970 was Nilsson

McCartney recently said he loves Elliot Smith

[InternalDialogue]

13. Just a touch. n/t

[astral]

16. Yes, lots of melancholy in his music.

There's a ton of stuff on You Tube for those of you not that familiar with his stuff. He was just all over the board with what he could get into singing, which I find fascinating. And his songs were one of a kind from the heart songs.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

17. Yes, a fabulous composer, pianist and singer.

Very big guy with a very powerful voice.

Videos that my guy has put up, with Nilsson music:


Sail Away by Randy Newman, performed by Nilsson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAFhcYGEDSM

Remember, by Harry Nilsson, with pics from my BF's ancient history in OKC. He had a friend, an old lady, Mrs. Augusta Mae Newell, who died in 1957, and he loved her magical house. It's on the near northside of OKC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vmsmvl30Jc

ALso, there is a FABULOUS DOUBLE CD called THE VERY BEST OF HARRY NILSSON that has some amazing obscure gems, like A PERFECT DAY.

Triple-exposure medley of Walk Right Back/Cathy's Clown/C'mon Baby Let the Good Times Roll:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOwUvGgAL0k