A Song for All of You Lovers

All these years later I can still hear her singing along with me as we did that song by Bill Staines. It has always held a special place for me because though Bill never was a part of The BackDoor the guy whose kitchen table the song had been written on had been. But even more so it holds a special place because of how her voice made the song so much more than I was ever able to do on my own. Her harmony was scary for a guy who had to do his damnedest to sing lead as she sang beside him. I always wanted to go to where she was in the song rather than to carry on with the part that made the song what it was. And so I’d try my very best to listen to myself and not to her as we sang and fortunately for me a good part of the audience would always sing along.

On the rare occasion these days that I still sing the song I always dedicate it to anyone who has ever been in love, is planning on being in love or is in love. As I tell the folks I’m pretty sure that should cover most everyone.


A couple days ago I got a call asking me to do a Valentine’s Day gig. I told them that I couldn’t do what they were looking for and so I had to turn them down. The songs I’ve fallen in love with over the years have little to do with found love and most everything to do with lost love. And because of that there is never any harmony to be heard beside me and thus singing lead is not a problem.


And so with the approach of another Hallmark Holiday or perhaps from my perspective another birthday for Arizona I think about the folks I watch out there as I’m singing this song and I think about all of you who might have someone that is within arm’s reach. I have no roses to give but I do have a song. At the end of the song I tell the folks to give their sweeties a hug. Do the same for those that mean the most to you and for God’s sake kiss ‘em like you mean it!

Now, go find a copy of “Roseville Fair” by Bill Staines, listen to the words, hold them close and remember that at the very least the house isn’t empty when you come home at night.