 |
Halfway To Paradise
Billy Fury
|
 |
Billy Fury was one of early British pop鈥檚 most charismatic performers and his 1960 LP, The Sound Of Fury, is still recognised as one of the best albums of the era. But Fury had based his career on covering American hits, and the songs of Lennon & McCartney soon put a stop to that. Ironically, although it was fellow Liverpudlians The Beatles who effectively ended Fury鈥檚 career, earlier in their career the Fabs had actually failed an audition to become Fury鈥檚 backing band!
Just one of ten UK Top 10 hits that he enjoyed between 1960 and 1965, Fury鈥檚 cover of 鈥楬alfway To Paradise鈥 (which had been an American hit for Tony Orlando, a decade before his success with Dawn) reached #3 on the British charts. The song is a classic pop big-ballad with a massive orchestral backing to elevate it. Fury鈥檚 may not have been the best voice in the world, but its plaintive tone struck just the right note for this song鈥檚 theme of a love that remains 鈥渟o near, yet so far away鈥.
 |
|
Billy Fury talks about choosing a stage name听and how he was nearly called Steen Wade! |
 |
This cracking little number kicks off with a Bolero motif, and the carefully crafted vocal melody and string figures contain Iberian flourishes. All of which may subconsciously have brought a little extra Matador machismo to Billy鈥檚 engaging, but basically lightweight delivery. There is an artfully crafted middle section, the backing vocals highlight the title hook, Jordinaires-style, and this paean to teenage frustration brings back the Presley/Holly era in an instant. Dominic King
|
 |
In the wake of The Beatles, Billy Fury quietly slipped from the spotlight. He later appeared in various rock鈥檔鈥檙oll revival shows, but had always suffered from poor health, and died aged only 43 in 1983.
鈥楬alfway To Paradise鈥 was only one of the brilliant early 60s hits crafted by husband and wife team, Gerry Goffin and Carole King (鈥榃ill You Love Me Tomorrow鈥, 鈥楿p On The Roof鈥, 鈥極ne Fine Day鈥) - and these two did survive the British Invasion: their song 鈥楥hains鈥 appeared on The Beatles鈥 debut album, while Carole went on to record Tapestry, the best-selling album ever released by a woman.
Songwriting tips You can start writing your own classic today.
Find out more in Getting Started |
|
Test your knowledgeHow much do you know about Halfway To Paradise and Billy Fury? |
|
 |
|
| 听DON'T MISS |
|
|
|
 |
|
Doves
Special guests on Dermot's show this week
|
|
What's on
Find out more about current and forthcoming documentaries on Radio 2.
|
|
听Full Schedule
听Newsletter sign-up