“…heart locked in a Gran Torino”
Detroit was the home of the muscle cars in the 1970s. New models rolled out in the fall with champagne-infused evenings for the car-lovin’ populace in and around Motor City.
Been there, done that.
Detroit was also the home of violence, intolerance, and urban decay. The auto capital of the world has come a long way since then. It fought through its intolerance. It built the Renaissance Center that spawned a rebirth of the city and its culture.
It is the auto industry that is in trouble now.
Taylor Hicks, long-time touring musician and American Idol turned Broadway star, presents a musical backdrop for all of this as he performs “Gran Torino,” from the movie of the same name—the creation of the legendary filmmaker and its star, Clint Eastwood. “Gran Torino,” the movie, is a stunning portrayal set in Detroit of Walt Kowalski as he is embroiled in the turmoil that rocked many cities in those days—the turmoil on the streets and the turmoil in our hearts.
Taylor performs the intricate title song at the request of Clint Eastwood!
He tweeted: @TaylorRHicks: Truly honored 2 B asked by Clint Eastwood 2 sing Gran Torino ths wknd. rlly cool...
The Alabama native appears as a special guest performer at the Museum of Tolerance International Film Festival in Los Angeles this Sunday evening. He entertains for the inaugural event that honors Clint Eastwood in a special tribute and recognizes film legend, Eli Wallach. George Lopez hosts the gala, and America’s Got Talent winner, Michael Grimm, appears along with other musical guests.
“Gran Torino” was written and performed by Jamie Cullum for the movie. It is a complex weave of lyrics and nuances that invites the singer’s interpretation.
"Gran Torino"
Detroit was the home of the muscle cars in the 1970s. New models rolled out in the fall with champagne-infused evenings for the car-lovin’ populace in and around Motor City.
Been there, done that.
Detroit was also the home of violence, intolerance, and urban decay. The auto capital of the world has come a long way since then. It fought through its intolerance. It built the Renaissance Center that spawned a rebirth of the city and its culture.
It is the auto industry that is in trouble now.
Taylor Hicks, long-time touring musician and American Idol turned Broadway star, presents a musical backdrop for all of this as he performs “Gran Torino,” from the movie of the same name—the creation of the legendary filmmaker and its star, Clint Eastwood. “Gran Torino,” the movie, is a stunning portrayal set in Detroit of Walt Kowalski as he is embroiled in the turmoil that rocked many cities in those days—the turmoil on the streets and the turmoil in our hearts.
Taylor performs the intricate title song at the request of Clint Eastwood!
He tweeted: @TaylorRHicks: Truly honored 2 B asked by Clint Eastwood 2 sing Gran Torino ths wknd. rlly cool...
The Alabama native appears as a special guest performer at the Museum of Tolerance International Film Festival in Los Angeles this Sunday evening. He entertains for the inaugural event that honors Clint Eastwood in a special tribute and recognizes film legend, Eli Wallach. George Lopez hosts the gala, and America’s Got Talent winner, Michael Grimm, appears along with other musical guests.
“Gran Torino” was written and performed by Jamie Cullum for the movie. It is a complex weave of lyrics and nuances that invites the singer’s interpretation.
"Gran Torino"
Realign all the stars
Above my head
Warning signs
Travel far
I drink instead
On my own
Oh, how I've known
The battle scars
And worn out beds
Gentle now
A tender breeze blows
Whispers through a Gran Torino
Whistling another tired song
Engines humm and bitter dreams grow
Heart locked in a Gran Torino
It beats A lonely rhythm
all night long
These streets are old
They shine with the things I've known
And breaks through the trees
Their sparkling
Your world
Is nothing more
Than all
The tiny things
You've left behind
So tenderly
Your story is
Nothing
Than what you see
Or
What you've done
Or will become
Standing strong
Do you belong
In your skin
Just wondering
Gentle now a tender breeze blows
Whispers through the Gran Torino
Whistling another tired song
Engines hum and bitter dreams grow
A heart locked in a Gran Torino
It beats A lonely rhythm
All night long
May I be so bold and stay
I need someone to hold
That shudders my skin
Their sparkling
Your world
Is nothing more
Than all
The tiny things
You've left
Behind
So realign
All the stars
Above my head
Warning signs
Travel far
I drink instead
On my own
Oh
How I've known
The battle scars
And worn out beds
Gentle now a tender breeze blows
Whispers through the Gran Torino
Whistling another tired song
Engines hum and better dreams grow
Heart locked in a Gran Torino
It beats a lonely rhythm
All night long
It beats a lonely rhythm
All night long
It beats a lonely rhythm
ll night long
Taylor Hicks does interpretation very well. He will give his own touch to Sunday night’s “Gran Torino.” Like a new model rollin’ off the line, he will own this “Gran Torino” as surely as Walt owns the shiny one in his Detroit driveway.
For the music and the cause that champions our quest to live peacefully together, may the night…
…hum and better dreams grow.
Heart locked in a Gran Torino
It beats a lonely rhythm
All night long
It beats a lonely rhythm
All night long
It beats a lonely rhythm
All night long
All night long
Jamie Cullum’s “Gran Torino” …
Thanks to RagsQueen for the photo of Taylor at the Dawn of a Dream gala, Minneapolis, 11.6.10.
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9 comments:
It will be an exciting night for Taylor and we , his fans, will be waiting "all night long" to get feedback on his rendition of "Gran Torino".
The Ford 1972 Gran Torino was an unlikely movie star . Clint Eastwood made it retro in 2008 and Taylor will relegate it to star status again in 2010 when his unique styling of the song is exhibited at the Museum of Tolerance Gala .
Congrats Taylor........ rev her up and let her rip. VROOM VROOM
cath
I think Taylor will make it his own, like he always does. :-)
I certainly hope there is video of this somewhere because Taylor is going to knock their socks off with his verson! I'm thrilled that Taylor has this opportunity!
I hope we get a chance to hear Taylor's version of the song Gran Torino. I really would like to hear how he "Taylorizes" it!
I really hope we can get to see and hear Taylor's performance of Gran Torino, I heard the song and it is really pretty, would love to hear Taylor's spin on it, to see how he makes it his own, you know "Taylorizes" it! I know he will do an awesome job on it!
Thanks for reading and leaving your comments!
As I wait for Taylor's performance tonight, I am struck with how far he's come...and how lucky I am to have been a little part of it.
Knockem' dead, Taylor!! We know you can!
San
Gran Torino was a great movie and Clint Eastwood is always a pleasure to watch.
The song is complex and emotional. I can't imagine how excited and honoured Taylor was when he received this request. There is no doubt in my mind that he did the song justice and more.
Congrats, Taylor!
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Anonymous,
Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate your kind words. I particularly enjoyed writing this one because I lived around Detroit in the 70s. I will check out your site.
Thanks again. Check out the music of Taylor Hicks. We really like the music and believe in the talents of the musican.
www.taylorhicks.com
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