2) Amen Corner was a Welsh rock group, formed in late 1966 in Cardiff, Wales.
Named after Amen Corner, a small residential area on the edge of Bracknell in Berkshire. Initially they specialised in a blues and jazz-orientated style, but were steered by their record companies into more commercial pastures. Their first singles and album appeared on Decca's subsidiary label Deram, but they left at the end of 1968 to join Immediate, where they were instantly rewarded with a No. 1, "(If Paradise Is) Half as Nice" (based on the Italian hit "Il Paradiso," written by Lucio Battisti and originally sung by Patty Pravo) in early 1969, followed by another top five entry with the Roy Wood composition "Hello Susie".
After recording a live album, Farewell To The Real Magnificent Seven, and a final single, a rather premature cover version of The Beatles' "Get Back", they disbanded at the end of 1969.
While sax players Alan Jones and Mike Smith went on to form Judas Jump, guitarist and vocalist Andy Fairweather Low led Dennis Byron (drums), Blue Weaver (organ), Clive Taylor (bass) and Neil Jones (guitar) into a new band, Fair Weather. The band scored a UK No.6 hit with "Natural Sinner" in 1970 and recorded one album before disbanding a year later.
Fairweather Low went on to a successful solo career in the 1970s, notably with the top ten hit "Wide Eyed and Legless" (1975); he became a regular player with Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Roger Waters. He also worked with The Strawbs and the Bee Gees.
Amen Corner's Decca back catalogue has been reissued as part of 'The Collection' series; and their Immediate work, including their singles, live album and material recorded for an unreleased studio album, on If Paradise Was Half as Nice: The Immediate Anthology.
Band members
Andy Fairweather Low (born Andrew Fairweather Low, 2 August 1948, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, South Wales) โ vocals
Neil Jones (born 25 March 1949, Llanbradach, South Wales; died 8 June 2018) โ guitar
Allan Jones (born 6 February 1947, Swansea, Glamorgan, South Wales) โ saxophone
Blue Weaver (born Derek John Weaver, 11 March 1947, Cardiff, Glamorgan, South Wales) โ keyboards
Mike Smith (born Michael Joseph Smith, 4 November 1947, Neath, South Wales) โ tenor saxophone
Clive Taylor (born 27 April 1948, Cardiff) โ bass, backing vocals
Dennis Bryon (born Dennis Ronald Bryon, 14 April 1949, Cardiff) โ drums, backing vocals
If Paradise Is Half As Nice
Amen Corner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who needs paradise I'd rather have you
They say paradise is up in the stars
But I needn't sigh because it's so far
'Cause I know it's worth a heaven on earth
For me where you are
A look from your eyes, a touch of your hand
When you are around my heart always pounds
Just like a brass band
If paradise is half as nice as heaven that you take me to
Who needs paradise I'd rather have you
Oh yes I'd rather have you
If paradise is half as nice as heaven that you take me to
Who needs paradise I'd rather have you
Oh yes I'd rather have you
They say paradise is up in the stars
But I needn't sigh because it's so far
'Cause I know it's worth a heaven on earth
To me where you are
A look from your eyes a touch of your hand
And I seem to fly to some other land
The Amen Corner's song "Half as Nice" is a tender love ballad that describes the singer's desires for his lover. He begins by saying that if paradise is half as nice as the heaven that she takes him to, he doesn't need it โ he'd rather have her. The lyrics suggest that the singer has found a true love that is worth more than any earthly paradise or heaven.
The song continues on to describe the overwhelming feeling of being in her presence. A look from her eyes or a touch of her hand can transport him to another land. The love that they share is portrayed as powerful and all-encompassing, causing his heart to pound like a brass band. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of the love shared by the two individuals and how it is more valuable than any kind of paradise.
The song paints a romantic picture of a love that is full of warmth and joy, and exemplifies the beauty of true connection with another person. The lyrics and melody work together to create a sense of deep affection and contentment.
Line by Line Meaning
If paradise is half as nice as heaven that you take me to
If what people consider paradise is half as good as the experience of being with you, I donโt need paradise because I'd rather be with you
Who needs paradise I'd rather have you
I value the experience of being with you more than what people consider as paradise
They say paradise is up in the stars
People usually refer to paradise as a heavenly place, high up in the sky
But I needn't sigh because it's so far
I don't have to sigh out of longing because I have you in my life and that is enough for me
'Cause I know it's worth a heaven on earth
I am aware that being with you is worth more than any earthly paradise
For me where you are
I am content and happy when I'm with you
A look from your eyes, a touch of your hand
The way you look at me or the touch of your hand have the power to transport me to a different place
And I seem to fly to some other land
It feels like I'm flying to a place where everything is perfect when I'm with you
When you are around my heart always pounds
You make my heart pound, and I can't help but feel a mix of joy and excitement when I'm with you
Just like a brass band
My heart pounds so loudly and rhythmically that it feels like a brass band is playing a joyful tune
Oh yes I'd rather have you
Indeed, I would always choose to be with you over anything else
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Giulio Rapetti Mogol, Jack Fishman, Lucio Battisti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevelee4952
I am a 72 year old git but i recall watching the guys in Romford in the good old days. I hate being old. X
@BrendaDrumm
Ditto im 74 lol โค
@alicethomasse5309
I am 71 years old now ,i was an big fan !! And we dancing al the time in the club!!! Or music was very good at that time, the Beatles Rollingstones, and English beat time!!! SMALL FACES, and many more!!! Love that time!!๐
@k-asp3r754
This Song Is from an italian Singer/author called Lucio Battisti..check out Patty Pravo "il paradiso".no Beatles ,no Rolling Stones, Just italian Melody.
@terencebarrett2897
Absolutely wonderful beautiful, fantastic group, wonderful times, and a brilliant musician in Andy Fairweather Low"" Andy should be given an award for services to music etc he's still like others Eric Clapton entertaining massive crowds ,God bless these wonderful beautiful guys
@bigtesticles1929
The UK has produced some of the best musicians in the history of music.
@iamgod6464
A Great Psychedelic Song from.Amen Corner to take us out of the 1960's. What a pity this decade only lasted 10 years.๐๐๐
@udowerner4761
Ja du hast recht , leider nur 10 Jahre und ich war dankend dabe , in dieser Zeit kamen tagtรคglich neue schรถne Songs zur Welt ! Gruร aus Deutschland - Thรผringen an Dich ๐โ๐
@TheFar-Right
Thought I had heard everything from the 60's. Wrong. This was new and beautiful. Thank-you!
@kaybee5150
This brings back so many happy memories. Good old YouTube.