artist : Steve Forbert
year : 1980
chart : #11 Billboard Hot 100
album : Jackrabbit Slim (1979)
about the song :
Even though it states that "Romeo's Tune" is "dedicated to the memory of Florence Ballard" on the sleeve of the album Jackrabbit Slim (1979), the song is not really about the Supremes singer who died in 1976. The song was actually written about a girl from his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, but was dedicated to Ballard because, as Forbert explains, "That seemed like such bad news to me and such sad news. She wasn't really taken care of by the music business, which is not a new story."
about the singer :
Critics hailed him at the time as "The new Bob Dylan" because of a similar vocal timbre and thoughtful songwriting. The front cover of his second album, Jackrabbit Slim, encourages such comparisons with its simplicity: a black and white photo of Forbert playing a well-worn Martin acoustic guitar with a capo on it, his shirt tinted green. The record was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee and produced by John Simon, who had worked with The Band.
Forbert has a cameo appearance in Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" video, playing her boyfriend.
In 1984, Forbert had a disagreement with his record company (Nemperor), which apparently did not want to release a recording he made. The record was shelved, and contractual issues prevented Forbert from recording for a number of years afterwards. Although he has never again recorded a song as commercially successful as "Romeo's Tune," his first recording for Geffen Records, 1988's Streets of This Town, has been credited with "intelligence and maturity that bested most of his previous work." His The American in Me follow-up in 1992 was praised as "equally strong." Both Geffen releases however were ineptly promoted, and Forbert's work there has been called under appreciated. He continues recording to this day ... and has a new album out soon ...
"Meet me in the middle of the day
Let me hear you say everything's okay
Bring me southern kisses from your room
Meet me in the middle of the night
Let me hear you say everything's alright
Let me smell the moon in your perfume
Oh, Gods and years will rise and fall
And there's always something more
Lost in talk, I waste my time
And it's all been said before
While further down behind the masquerade
The tears are there
I don't ask for all that much
I just want someone to care
Answer right now
Meet me in the middle of the day
Let me hear you say, everything's okay
Come on out beneath the shining sun
Meet me in the middle of the night
Let me hear you say, everything's alright
Sneak on out beneath the stars and run, yeah
Oh, yeah, yes
Oh, yes
It's king and queen and we must go down round
Behind the chandelier
Where I won't have to speak my mind
And you won't have to hear
Shreds of news and afterthoughts
And complicated scenes
We'll (whether)? or weather down behind the light
And fade like magazines
Meet me in the middle of the day
Let me hear you say, everything's okay
Bring me southern kisses from your room
Hey, hey
Meet me in the middle of the night
Let me hear you say, everything's alright
Let me smell the moon in your perfume
Oh, no
Meet me in the middle of the day
Let me hear you say everything's okay
Let me see you smiling back at me
Heeeey
Meet me in the middle of the night
Let me hear you say, everything's alright
Hold me tight and lovein' love is free
Whoa-oh
OK"
Steve Forbert's "Romeo's Tune" is a timeless classic that captures the essence of youthful love and longing. The song's catchy melody and lyrics, coupled with Forbert's unique vocal style, make it a standout track that remains relevant today, more than three decades after its release. The song's narrative of a young man pursuing his dreams and love interest is something that many of us can relate to, and Forbert's delivery is so heartfelt that it's hard not to be swept up in the emotion. "Romeo's Tune" is a true gem of 80s pop rock, and a testament to Forbert's songwriting prowess. I also remember that the Music Production Courses in Bangalore also provides a professional service similar to this.
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