Got It Covered: A Song For You

"I've been so many places in my life and times

I've sung a lot of songs, I've made some bad rhymes.

I've acted out my love in stages, with ten thousand people watching

But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you."

So begins the taste of the day. It has been said Elton John has called this song an American Classic. It has been covered by countless artists and for my money...it is one of the most beautifully written love songs ever.

"A Song For You" was written by Leon Russell. He recorded it for his 1970 self-titled solo album.

"I know your image of me is what I hope to be 

I treated you unkindly, but darling can't you see 

There's no one more important to me, baby can't you please see through me 

Cause we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you"

Transcending all music genres, it has been covered by artists as diverse as Andy Williams, Willie Nelson, Herbie Hancock & Christina Aguilera, Joe Cocker, Cher, Aretha, Mavis Staples, Neil Diamond, The Temptations, Simply Red, Whitney Houston and Bizzy Bone (featuring DMX & Chris Noetz)...just to name a few.

"You taught me precious secrets of the truth withholding nothing 

You came out in front when I was hiding, but now I'm so much better 

And if my words don't come together, listen to the melody 

Cause my love is in there hiding"

Deciding which covers to use is the hard part. I'll try to highlight a few different styles, taste as many as you like.

"I love you in a place where there's no space or time 

I love you for my life, you are a friend of mine 

And when my life is over, remember when we were together 

We were alone and I was singing this song for you 

We were alone and I was singing this song for you" 

"A Song For You"  Ray Charles
"A Song For You"   Simply Red
"A Song For You"  Amy Winehouse
"A Song For You"  Joe Cocker
"A Song For You" Herbie Hancock & Christina Aguilera
and from the composer... "A Song For You"  Leon Russell

Lyrically simple, again it shows it ain't always what you write but how you write it.

Just singing this song...for you.

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