We're Gonna Change The World

[dave2708]

Hello Matt Monro lovers

I've long been a Matt Monro fan - in fact in my early 20s when I was listening to noise & rubbish, he was the only 'real' singer I paid any attention to (this was the late 80s and unfortunately the great man had already passed on - but his music was still everywhere).

One song that has always fascinated me is 'We're Gonna Change The World'. It's a great tune, a fanatastic arrangement, but it's the lyrics that get me. I wondered if anybody had any inside info on what it's all about ?

It sounds to me like it's suffragette-related - but that's the best I can do. Does anybody know anything about the history of this song ?

[michduncg]

Hi Dave - you're right to say that 'We're gonna change the world' is a great song, and yes, it is very different from the love songs that we associate with the great Matt. It was released in 1970 I think, and was taken from a Capitol album of the same name.

On the occasionally repeated BBC4 Documentary, 'Matt Monro - The Man with Golden Voice', it explains that 'We're gonna change the world' was Matts response to the change in music that occured from the mid to lates 60s.

Love songs and ballads were in decline, Protest songs were high on the agenda, and pop music had aquired a lot more depth. As I understand it, 'We're gonna change the world' is a tribute to all those ordinary people who were making a stand around the world, and often suffering for it.

You can probably make it about any struggle you wanted to! Civil Rights, Womans Rights, Gay Rights, Peace marches, Vietnam, Student Riots, CND, whatever really. It does have marvellous lyrics, and a very jaunty tune, considering the subject matter was a lot grittier than Matts normal subject matter

Anyway - thats my take - I'm not saying its 100% right mind!

[dave2708]

Thanks michduncg !

I should have twigged about the 1970 thing because that really is a sort of a 'changing of the guard' year. Personally I love those records that bridged the gap between old & new - watching some of the old cats get hip ! Those who successfully moved with the times produced some amazing stuff.

I was always sure that this song was from a show or something. I now realise I made that mistake because I used to have an old Matt Monro tape (EMI .. MFP I think) which had this song on it but also ‘Gonna Build A Mountain’, which is from ‘Stop the World etc .. ..’ and I confused the two. It sounds like a show song .. someone should write a show around it !

I’d love to know more about the person who wrote it (listed only as Harris) .. .. what a guy/gal !

[ROBERT M.]

Apparently the song was a favourite of Kenny Everetts, who plugged the song rigorously on his radio show

[michduncg]

Up in London yesterday, there was protest going on think against health cuts, and then with all the anti-war campaigns and sit-ins - things haven't changed muched in 37 years! Well, not for the better anyway

[Lena & Harry Smith]

And protests from frustrated drivers too Mike trying to get round.
Harry gave up and came home.

[michduncg]

Well on Oxford St on Saturday the only safe place to be was on the road! It was heaving, and Regent St. Bring back trams!!! You must remember them Lena & Harry

[michduncg]

Dave

You are right about music when artists are trying to make a change -- the best ones are those that try and keep up and change. Even today the likes of Madonna and Kylie have to change to keep up. And back in the 60s, after the Beatles arrived it was even tougher I guess - Alma Cogan had a real struggle to reinvent herself as a more serious artist, but the resulting album was great - her versions of 'More' and 'Taking a chance on love' are now my favourites of those songs.

[ROBERT M.]

That's brave of you Mike, as I'm sure most people on Matts forum prefer Matts superb "solo" version of MORE

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Well as a female singer Alm's version of More is superb, and one of our favourite songs from Alma is "With You In Mind" it's just lovely.

[dave2708]

There are several artists who have also failed to cope as well as they might have done with change. Users of this forum may well be familiar with the the early works of Scott Walker. I have tried to listen to his recent stuff but it’s experimental in the extreme and I’ve found it virtually unlistenable !

I’m very happy today because I managed to download Harry Secombe singing ‘Boy For Sale’ from Oliver – also one of the best vocal performances ever !

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Harry Secombe has made many wonderful recordings over the years Dave.
We have quite e collection of his music and over Three years ago, we nominated Sir Harry to be included on the entertainers South West Wales web-site " Hall Of Fame," and they obliged.

[michduncg]

Ahh - Oll-ee-ver! I love that film - Shani Wallis was fantastic as Nancy, its still a real shock when she gets killed at the end. But don't forget Leonard Rossiter ('We should all sit on Oliver!) in his short part. Harry Secombe was a true talent, as a comic and as a singer. But of course Ron Moody and Oliver Reed stole the film,

Robert - - I do love Matts versions of most songs - I just prefer 'More' as an uptempo tune (which Eydie Gorme and Bobby Darin do to perfection in my opinion). I also prefer Almas version of 'Taking a chance on love' (or Eydie Gormes come to that) because Matts misses about two verses out!

[dave2708]

Michael - Oliver certainly was a great film and made a deep impression on me. I think also my grandma had an LP of the stage version (I think Jim Dale was on it) which used to scare me a little bit because everybody was being horrible to Oliver and I found it all a bit cruel ! The Sixties was such a fertile period for musicals that could also pack an emotional punch .. .. although I must say Mary Poppins with Julie Andrews is probably my favourite !

Lena & Harry – It’s funny that we’re discussing Harry Secombe because I’m sure that the first time I saw Matt was on ‘Stars On Sunday’ – it must have been back in the 70s. I’ve seen a list of Matt’s TV appearances somewhere (maybe on this site .. ..) so I’ll have to check it out – the mind is always liable to play tricks !

Harry was indeed a great man looking back. The more you examine your early days the more you realise that these (TV) entertainers were like your surrogate uncles & aunties, and that they never really leave you.

[mariana44]

I watched "Oliver" many times with George---he could do a great "Fagin" impression--singing that is---it was the true masterpiece of Lionel Bart--a really wonderful film, with great music---they don't make them like that now !!