Review<Song>: I’ve Never Been To Me

Geezer: I’ve Never Been To Me (S)

It must have been more than 24 years ago in 1983 since I came across this song to my best of memory. I still a cry baby then but this song, I’ve Never Been To Me sang by Charlene has such a haunting rhythm and is such a beautiful song that it been implanted into my mind since then.

 

How I came to know this song ?

I first came across this song during a movie commercial in Rex Cinema in 1983. The film I was watching is Return of the Jedi . The Bras Basah Complex today used to be the exact site for Rex Cinema (If I am correct). The film commerical is about promoting some kind of baby shampoon which it shows a mother washing the baby with (Still, if I can recall).

Anyone want to guess how area around City Hall look like in 1980s (Left) ? You can find it out in From Kachang To Popcorn which document the history with photo of  Singapore cinemas back in 1980s

 

On Charlene 

Since then, I been curious about who the singer is . Will it not for internet, I doubt I able to find out who she is. It takes me 24 years later to find her performance and MTV on Youtube that I able to put this post up. What’s a moment to cherish !

 

Having read on Charlene’s wiki, I now know why she is less well-known because this is the only song that make her internationally popular. I couldn’t find her photo on internet that I like to place here. Still the video will at least bring those haunting memories back again.

Her tributes can be found www.youtube.com/user/WSC323

More images on video about Charlene

I’ve Never Been To Me (1977)

Strangely, this beautiful song never found success in 1977 but in 1982 when it rose to top number one spot.

MTV

What’s a memory !

 

CloseUp

 

Live #1 in 1982

Watch this ! What’s a amazing beautiful voice she has !

 

Live #2 in 1982

Another stunning live performance !

 

Live #3 around 2000s

Same person, different style. Time has definitely catchup.

 

Live #4

 

I’ve Never Been To Me by Charlene

Hey lady, you lady
cursing at your life
you’re a discontented mother
and a regimented wife
I have no doubt
you dream about the things you never do
but I wish someone had talked to me like I wanna talk to you

Oh, I’ve been to Georgia and California and anywhere I could run
Took the hand of a preacher man
and we made love in the sun
But I ran out of places and friendly faces
Because I had to be free
I’ve been to paradise but I’ve never been to me…

Please lady please lady
don’t just walk away
Cause I have this need to tell you
why I’m all alone today
I can see so much of me
still living in your eyes
won’t you share a part
of a weary heart that has lived a million lives

Oh, I’ve been to Nice and the isle of Greece
when I sipped champagne on a yacht
I moved like Harlo in Monte Carlo
and showed them what I’ve got
I’ve been undressed by kings
and I’ve seen some things that a woman ain’t s’pose to see
I’ve been to paradise but I’ve never been to me…

Hey, you know what paradise is?
It’s a lie
a fantasy we created about people and places
as we like them to be
but you know what truth is?
it’s that little baby you’re holding
and it’s that man you fought with this morning
the same one you are gonna make love to tonight
that’s truth that’s love

sometimes I’ve been to crying for unborn children
that might have made me complete
but I, I took the sweet life
I never knew I’d be bitter from the sweet

I spent my life exploring
the subtle whoreing
that cost to much to be free
hey lady I’ve been to paradise
but I’ve never been to me…

I’ve been to paradise but I’ve never been to me…