Release Me – Engelbert Humperdinck

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Release Me – Engelbert Humperdinck

To celebrate England coming out of Lockdown I thought we'd have Engelbert pleading to be released.

Always loved this song, it's his vocal performance that takes this simple lyric to an entirely different level. The backing sounds like a stage play, he belts the hell out the words. I for one believe he wants out of there, the power and sadness in his voice would shatter any heart.

This was a huge hit for Gerry Dorsey, better known as Engelbert Humperdinck, a clever stage name that once heard was hard to forget. He had some great songs such as 'The Last Waltz' and 'Spanish Eyes' but I know him best for this one. The words are one long plea to get your current partner to except the fact that it's over between us and we want away. The orchestral backing makes the makes the whole thing sound so dramatic and urgent.

The story withing the lyric and the sad undertones makes it no surprise this started life as a Country song, covered by loads of big artists, even the Everly Brothers had a turn. But in the UK it's this version from 1967 which is the most famous, it's claim to fame being it held The Beatles Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever off the No.1 spot. Bet John and Paul were gutted this was released at the same time as those.

Favourite lyric : To live our lives would bring us pain / So release me and let me love again

Location: Rayleigh, UK

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