A bit of funerary scholarship from the sagacious Vale
Of borderline relevance only to funeralists, perhaps – but the title of the song was taken by Phil Spector, who produced it, from the inscription on his father’s headstone. It’s unlikely that the same words will adorn Phil’s.
Older readers will enjoy the nostalgia jolt produced by this (perhaps).
Musing on Spector’s dazzling career, one calls to mind the hit he produced for the Righteous Brothers, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’. Change lovin’ to livin’ and you see how close the song got to being a firm funeral favourite.
You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips.
And there’s no tenderness like before in your fingertips.
You’re trying hard not to show it, (baby).
But baby, baby I know it…
You’ve lost that livin’ feeling,
Whoa, that livin’ feeling,
You’ve lost that livin’ feeling,
Now it’s gone…gone…gone…wooooooh.
