Music Videos By Vinny

Dirty Dancing

2012-01-28T19:51:00.000-05:00

The memorable dancing scene...

Volare

2011-10-03T23:45:00.002-04:00

This was a hit for Domenico Modugno in 1958.

Modugno's recording became the first Grammy winner for the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1958. It is the only foreign-language recording to achieve this honor. It spent five non-consecutive weeks atop the Hot 100 in August and September 1958 and was Billboard's number-one single for the year.

Wikipedia

It has been covered by at least 50 artists, including Al Martino, Barry White, Bobby Rydell, Chet Atkins, Cliff Richard, Connie Francis, David Bowie, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, Engelbert Humperdinck, Frank Sinatra, Frank Zappa, Louis Armstrong, Luciano Pavarotti, Paul McCartney, Petula Clark, Roger Wiliams, The Platters, Wayne Newton...

Wildflower

2011-08-05T20:58:00.358-04:00

Released by Canadian band Skylark (featuring David Foster) in 1972.

Maybe I'm Amazed

2011-07-09T20:56:00.000-04:00

Nobody Does it Better

2011-04-06T22:53:00.002-04:00

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) is the tenth in the James Bond film series and the third to star Roger Moore as the fictional secret agent.

The theme song "Nobody Does it Better" was composed by Marvin Hamlisch and performed by Carly Simon. It was the first theme song in the James Bond series to be titled differently from the name of the movie, although the title is in the lyrics.

When You're in Love With a Beautiful Woman

2011-02-20T11:39:00.004-05:00

Dr. Hook's 1978 hit reached number 6 in the U.S. and number 1 in the U.K.

Real Love

2011-01-15T14:27:00.004-05:00

This song was written and performed by John Lennon on a tape recorder. Long after Lennon's death, the remaining Beatles finished the song, but the quality of the original recording was so bad that Paul McCartney had to imitate Lennon's voice, in effect, making the lead vocal a duet.

This and Free as a Bird were released on the Anthology album after the Fab Four broke up. Both have remained two of my favourite Beatles tunes. I made a video of Free as a Bird here.

Warning: I took liberties and made a couple of edits to the music.

American Idiot

2010-09-26T23:29:00.004-04:00

This is quite a departure from the usual fare on this site. American Idiot is by Green Day from the same-named album released in 2004. This video is dedicated to Debbie. Not that she's an American idiot. ;)

All Along the Watchtower

2010-09-10T22:21:00.006-04:00

One of my favourite Hendrix tunes--the lyrics inspire vivid images while the guitar inspires the ears right to the brain.

Balla Linda

2010-07-16T15:15:00.004-04:00

Balla Linda was written by Italian singer and songwriter Lucio Battisti in the late '60's. In 1969, American group The Grass Roots scored a hit with its English translation Bella Linda.

I loved this tune from the moment I heard it. It probably helped that I had a big crush on a girl named Linda at the time.

Note to any Italians out there: I took small artistic liberties in my translation of the lyrics. ;)

One Beer

2010-06-30T00:09:00.004-04:00

My tribute to Bob Dylan serves as a warning to little bunnies, piggies and duckies everywhere.

Stray Cat Strut

2010-04-29T01:46:00.004-04:00

This is a very cool song about a very cool cat released by Stray Cats in the early eighties.

Walk, Don't Run

2010-04-18T23:44:00.004-04:00

Another classic instrumental tune, this one from 1960 by The Ventures. This group is the best-selling instrumental band of all time, having sold over 100 million records. They influenced too many artists to mention and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. They still tour to this day.

Sleepwalk

2010-03-21T02:17:00.005-04:00

This is one of my favourite instrumental songs. It reached number one on Billboard's Top 40 in 1959. It was composed and recorded by Santo & Johnny (Farina).

Only The Good Die Young

2009-12-14T20:33:00.006-05:00

To say this 1977 Billy Joel release stirred up some controversy would be an understatement. In fact, the ensuing condemnation by the clergy had kids racing to the record stores to buy it. Virginia was Virginia Callahan, a Catholic girl Billy had a crush on who wouldn't have premarital sex.

American Woman

2009-11-22T19:12:00.004-05:00

Arguably, the best Canadian single of all time, Burton Cummings and The Guess Who secured their place in the world music scene back in 1970. The song is controversial in its lyrics, written when times were turbulent, and I have put into this video some of what they say to me.

Come Go with Me

2009-10-20T16:11:00.003-04:00

One of the best doo-wop songs ever recorded. The Dell Vikings (sometimes spelled "Del" and sometimes hyphenated) embody the spirit and excitement of the 50's in their 1957 hit.

I Got You, Babe

2009-10-06T02:00:00.003-04:00

Sonny and Cher's 1965 number one hit. The duo was universally loved. Their split was deeply felt by millions all over the world who tuned in every week to watch their unique show. To this day, I get a pang in my chest whenever I think about how great the two were together and how sad it was for all of us to be a party to that separation.

Gotta See Jane

2009-09-16T16:15:00.003-04:00

R. Dean Taylor was born in Toronto, Canada and is a singer, song writer and recording artist best known for his smash hit "Indiana Wants Me". This is is another of his most successful recordings, both songs from the early 70's.

These Eyes

2009-07-23T01:00:00.004-04:00

This was the Canadian rock group The Guess Who's first hit to reach the top ten on the U.S charts. It was released in 1968 in Canada and in 1969 in the U.S. It would go on to be certified gold, selling over a million copies.

Chipmunks cover Ringo

2009-07-01T01:36:00.004-04:00

You're Sixteen

2009-06-18T18:08:00.010-04:00

In January 1974, Ringo's cover of this song hit number one. The performance reunited Ringo Starr with his former Beatles bandmates Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison. McCartney is credited on the album cover as having played the instrumental solo on a kazoo. Starr's version remains one of the few #1 singles to feature a kazoo solo.

Saturday in the Park

2009-06-05T20:19:00.004-04:00

A perenial favourite reminiscent of sunny days and happy times in the park. Recorded by Chicago in 1971, it was inspired by a walk through New York's Central Park where most of the photos in this video were shot.

Green Eyed Lady

2009-03-26T22:18:00.004-04:00

Mysterious and supernatural sounds and lyrics make this 1970 hit by Sugarloaf a favourite of mine.

Imagine

2009-01-15T23:39:00.003-05:00

John Lennon's 1971 message of peace. Nothing more to say about it.

Last Kiss

2009-01-12T12:23:00.012-05:00

This song was written by Wayne Cochran and released by Wayne Cochran & the C.C. Riders in 1963 but with limited success. When it was covered by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers just a year later, it was a smash hit. The song was loosely based on a real incident. When Pearl Jam covered the song in 1998, it became their biggest hit.

Thanks go out to Barbie for her collaboration.

Original (Wilson) version:

Pearl Jam's cover:

Ebony and Ivory

2009-01-03T00:08:00.006-05:00

Sir Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder teamed up in 1982 to make this gentle protest song against racism.

Somebody

2008-12-21T19:31:00.007-05:00

A medley of "somebody".

In the summertime

2008-12-10T12:29:00.004-05:00

My rendition of British pop group Mungo Jerry's 1970 hit. This tune was the anthem of summer for a whole generation.

Fire

2008-12-02T19:58:00.006-05:00

Music provided by Strive.

www.strivemusic.com

www.myspace.com/strive

http://ca.youtube.com/user/strivemusic

Going up the Country

2008-10-15T22:50:00.006-04:00

Played by Canned Heat at Woodstock in 1969.
Thanks, Barbie, for your help.

Free as a Bird

2008-09-23T22:11:00.004-04:00

Free as a Bird was written and recorded as a demo by John Lennon. In 1995, it was worked on by the remaining members of The Beatles and released in December of that year. I remember watching a TV program back then that promised to play this post-Beatles Beatles song and I was as excited as I ever was in my life, before or since. They counted down the seconds leading up to playing it and it was so surreal. I fell in love with the song the second I heard it and it remains one of my favourites to this day.

Beatles Medley

2008-09-14T18:51:00.004-04:00

Ladies and gentlemen...The Beatles!

Lyin' Eyes

2008-08-13T00:50:00.009-04:00

One of my favourites of the many hits by The Eagles. Thanks go out to Robert and Barbie for their very helpful input.

What a Wonderful World

2008-07-15T16:11:00.011-04:00

I always thought this song was released much earlier than it actually was. Recorded by the inimitable Louis Armstrong, it was released in 1967. God rest his soul.

Girl Watcher

2008-07-08T02:05:00.006-04:00

1968 song by The Okaysions. It was their only hit tune. It was reworked in 1987 as "I'm A Wheel Watcher" and was used to promote the TV game show "Wheel of Fortune".

Across the Universe

2008-04-25T11:09:00.005-04:00

Beatles' dreamy 1970 hit song from the "Let it Be" album. This is one of my favourite tunes.

Copacabana

2008-04-09T21:47:00.006-04:00

Based on Barry Manilow's 1978 hit. Special thanks to Barbie for her help with some of the graphics.

Kodachrome

2008-02-14T00:58:00.004-05:00

My interpretation of Paul Simon's 1973 hit "Kodachrome". It received very little play in the U.K. due to the endorsement of Kodachrome film and Nikon cameras contained in the lyrics.

Kokomo

2008-02-05T01:55:00.006-05:00

The Beach Boys' 1988 hit provides the backdrop for this video filled with idyllic images.

Still the Same

2008-01-21T02:21:00.007-05:00

This is one of Bob Seger's many hits. From 1978--Still the Same.

Sugar, Sugar

2008-01-03T03:05:00.005-05:00

This song, typical of "bubble gum music" became a number one hit in 1969 for The Archies--a band inspired by characters from a comic book series.

Love Potion Number Nine

2007-12-25T23:00:00.005-05:00

Most people credit The Searchers as having recorded this as an original song in 1964. Actually, it was first recorded by The Clovers in 1959. Since then, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Herb Alpert, The Ventures and Neil Diamond.

Love is Blue II

2007-12-17T10:06:00.004-05:00

Here's a second rendition of "Love is Blue".

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

2007-12-13T15:20:00.005-05:00

In keeping with the season, here's one of my favourite Christmas songs...

Love is Blue

2007-12-10T01:07:00.004-05:00

This is an instrumental song done by Paul Mauriat and his orchestra in 1968. It stayed at number one for five weeks. Sadly, I just found out that Paul Mauriat passed away in 2006.

I'm a Stranger Here

2007-11-27T23:45:00.006-05:00

This is another song by the Canadian group "Five Man Electrical Band". It's a kind of a wake up call for the human race.

Signs

2007-11-19T00:28:00.006-05:00

Another song by the Canadian group "Five Man Electrical Band". I hadn't realized just how many great songs this group made. Many of them are "gimmick" songs. This one was originally released in 1970 as a "B" side and then re-released in 1971 on the "A" side, reaching number three on the Billboard chart.

Ballad of the Roller Dung Beetle

2007-11-12T22:28:00.004-05:00

This video features an original song by a friend. David, thanks for providing the lovely song. It was a pleasure making this video.

Hair

2007-11-02T17:23:00.006-04:00

Performed by The Cowsills, it's the theme song from the smash Broadway hit musical "Hair" from 1968.

Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)

2007-10-12T11:41:00.004-04:00

This song was a million-selling #1 hit by Looking Glass in 1972. The harbour town pictured near the start of this video is actually a shot of the town in southern Italy where I was born. Most of the images used were colour photos made black-and-white for effect.

To Sir with Love

2007-10-04T02:00:00.004-04:00

Theme song from the movie of the same name from 1967 sung by Lulu, who was also in the movie and starring Sidney Poitier as a black teacher in a rough school in London's east end. It's quite a touching story. Rent it if you've never seen it.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

2007-09-30T11:09:00.004-04:00

Not much to say about this one--yet another hit by The Beatles.

California Girls

2007-09-28T20:50:00.007-04:00

The title says it all...

Come a Little Bit Closer

2007-09-22T23:40:00.003-04:00

This song was released by Jay and The Americans in 1964.

The Snake

2007-09-20T00:17:00.003-04:00

This song was a hit for Al Wilson in 1968.

Brand New Key

2007-09-17T11:42:00.004-04:00

This song was recorded by "Melanie" (Safka) in 1972, who only went by her first name. Some of her other hits were "Look What They've Done to my Song, Ma" and "Lay Down". She was a quintessential "flower child" and performed at Woodstock in 1969.

Maxwell's Silver Hammer

2007-09-13T10:53:00.005-04:00

Until I looked up the lyrics to this song, I always thought they said "Precinct 31 said we got a dirty one". It had personal meaning to me, since I was no stranger to the police station in my neighbourhood, 31st precinct, in my youth. Apparently, the words are "P.C. 31" (Patrol Constable).

Minutes after I was finished with the blackboard scene, I was researching the next part when I happened to discover that the reason Paul McCartney was chuckling while singing that segment, is that John Lennon was mooning him in the studio. You'll notice a coincidence when you watch that part.

Rock and Roll Heaven

2007-09-11T14:41:00.005-04:00

When I watched this one in its entirety for the first time, it almost brought a tear to my eye. I grew up during the time that all these performers were big stars. Yes...I'm that old.

The Righteous Brothers recorded this song in 1974 as a tribute to music artists who had met with untimely deaths: Bobby Darin, Otis Redding, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Croce.

I am the Walrus

2007-09-11T09:45:00.004-04:00

I offer up this video as proof that even the most bizarre lyrics can be made sense of...kinda sorta....ok, they can't. Actually, Lennon wrote this song specifically in defiance that anyone can find meaning in its lyrics.

Werewolf

2007-09-10T11:05:00.005-04:00

This hit was recorded by the Canadian group "Five Man Electrical Band" in 1974.