England Dan Seals died yesterday of lymphoma at his home in Nashville. I purchased "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" (his hit with John Ford Coley, because "Nights Are Forever Without You" has always just bummed me out) in homage.
England Dan & John Ford Coley, I'm not even kidding, because if there's one thing about which I don't kid, it's the light rock. I've reviewed the Ambrosia situation before, (with a shoutout to England Dan & John Ford Coley, check it - who I seemingly cannot call by any fewer than their five given names.) And I have to tell you, there are some Ambrosia freaks out there, if my Google search tells me anything. I still harbor Rhiannon as my secret dream name if I ever had a daughter but I totally probably wouldn't call a female child Rhiannon. I can also sing all the harmony parts to Linda Ronstadt's "Love is a Rose" so basically do not fuck with me where the 70s are concerned at all. (Also, "Still the One"? It's Orleans. And Charlene has still never been to herself.)
"I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" and I go back a long way. When I was in high school, my best friend was trying to date this guy, and he gave her a poem he wrote. And she read it to me aloud, like, isn't this sweet?
"I'm not talkin' bout movin' in," he had copied on the page. "And I don't want to change your life...I won't ask for promises, so you won't have to lie. We've both played that game before, say I love ya and say goodbye."
First of all, we were 16. 16! Dude!
Because I could not allow England Dan and John Ford Coley to be so misrepresented, I had to be the buzzkill.
"He did not write that."
"Who did then?"
"England Dan & John Ford Coley."
"Who?"
"WASH-FM, okay? Just...WASH-FM! 'There's a warm wind blowin' and stars around'? Seriously, he did not write that."
Already a teacher, I guess, no one was plagiarizing on my watch, and also not ripping off the best five named, two-man light rock band ever.
So on behalf of the dudes from Firefall, and Player, and Steven Bishop and Orleans and Ambrosia - and that creepy Marie Osmond with whom you sang "Meet Me in Montana" - I wish you safe travels, England Dan. I'll admit it. I really, really love that song.
The Lasting Tribute website has updated its memorial pages to include Dan Seals.
http://www.lastingtribute.co.uk/tribute/seals/3049266
It's a respectful memorial to Dan and somewhere to pay tribute to the family's fortitude at this difficult time.
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Posted by: Patrick | March 27, 2009 at 05:39 AM
I'm saddened by this news. Those were wonderfuul songs and I totally relate. Don't forget Starbuck and Moonlight Feels Right!
One of my favourites as well as HOW MUCH I FEEL.
Posted by: lucy | March 27, 2009 at 11:00 AM