Comments on: DORIS DAY - “Secret Love”

By: DJ Punctum

DJ Punctum — Thu, 29 May 2008 09:34:36 +0000

KK really is sorely underrated as a singer, largely I guess because the story has taken precedence over the music she actually made but also because stylistically she fell smartly between two stools - not quite old school Joan Regan/Dorothy Squires, not quite new school Cilla/Dusty. “I Belong” is one of the best UK Eurovision entries ever - it came second in ‘65 (the winner was France Gall singing Serge Gainsbourg for Luxembourg) - and if you really want your heart broken by a performance listen to her singing (also in ‘65) the song “Soon I Will Be Wed.” Such magnificent pitching, timing and timbre control.

Also, she sang the Adam Adamant theme!

By: Erithian

Erithian — Thu, 29 May 2008 08:05:52 +0000

Kathy Kirby made an attempt at a comeback in 1982, but made a particularly unfortunate choice of vehicle for a TV appearance - she was the next guest on BA Robertson’s live show “BA in Music” after Annabella Lwin’s famous “I fink it’s a bit of a shit show” strop and walk-off. Kathy Kirby was on next and was as nervous as a kitten, BA’s nerves were shot by what had just happened, and it was excruciating.

By: wichita lineman

wichita lineman — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:10:40 +0000

I love Kathy Kirby’s version just as much as the original (wonder if that’s Jimmy Page on guitar?). Especially for the extra kick of “now-now-now-NOWWWW I shout it from the highest hills”.

Kathy was briefly Britain’s number one female singer (she topped the 1963 NME poll). She came 2nd with I Belong in the 1965 Eurovision, pipped only by France Gall’s fabulous, galloping Poupee De Cire Poupee De Son (written by Serge Gainsbourg) which in retrospect sounded far too good to win.

The secret of KK’s famous image? She used shiny lipstick with extra lipgloss on top. Impressive!

Her career nosedived when manager and mentor Ambrose (of ‘and his orchestra’ fame) died in 1971 and her mental health has apparently been fragile ever since.

A show has opened this month in Leeds based on her life story, called Secret Love.

http://www.secretlove.info/

As for Doris’s version, on the flip side was the equally great Deadwood Stage!

By: rosie

rosie — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:04:23 +0000

I first encountered this in the version by Kathy Kirby some time in the early 60s. It never occurred to me then that it was an original song and Kathy Kirby was a big name in them days, before she seemed to vanish without trace. I haven’t heard mention of her for years but I seem to recall her having a good crack at Eurovision. Somebody will be along shortly to confirm this or otherwise. Anyway, I saw Calamity Jane at some point soon after. At that age I assumed that CJ was a film that had come out of the Ark, so was surprised to find this ‘contemporary’ song in it.

It is a bit of a cracker, and a song I am wont to sing to myself when I’m fairly sure nobody I care about is within earshot! Doris’s delivery, powerful but with minimal histrionics, would put many a 2008 singer to shame.

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By: intothefireuk

intothefireuk — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 23:39:08 +0000

Heavenly harps, a lush orchestral arrangement and Doris’ stirring vocal help lift this beautifully written song above the very ordinary around it. Even when the song breaks into a canter (presumably a reference to the musical Western it comes from) it doesn’t detract and indeed adds interest & charm. The lyric is ambiguous enough to serve as a reference to love of either sex or even a religious awakening.

By: pˆnk s lord sükråt cunctør

pˆnk s lord sükråt cunctør — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 12:44:57 +0000

i have a bi friend — who i haven’t seen for an age, must call her — who, aside from being ms total techno-rave girl 9/10ths of the time, was IN UTTER HOTT LOVE with tomboy doris day

By: Marcello Carlin

Marcello Carlin — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 12:11:58 +0000

The soundtrack album also being the first record ever bought by Pete Waterman, which might explain a few things…

By: Pete

Pete — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 11:52:29 +0000

Crucial to the song’s success is that there’s no suggestion of why the love had to be secret. Well from the musical it comes from, Calamity Jane, there is context - namely that Day plays the spunky tomboy who hangs around with Wild Bill Hickock, and he did not see her as a potential love match. “Clam” soon brushes up, dresses gurly and shows why, on the whole, I prefer Annie Get Your Gun. Though both have killer soundtracks.

By: Marcello Carlin

Marcello Carlin — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 11:44:09 +0000

I’ve always loved this song, and yes it means something even more to me now…of all the number ones from the pre-rock era this is the only one I’d consider giving an 8 or a 9.

By: Lena

Lena — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:22:45 +0000

I only know this from (gasp) Sinead O’Connor’s version, but it is a fine song and no, you can’t keep love hidden…:-)