Anne Murray Duets: Friends & Legends showcases a wide variety of Anne's favorite female vocalists. Among the album’s tracks and collaborating artists are "Snowbird" with Sarah Brightman, "You Needed Me" with Shania Twain, "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do" with Anne’s daughter Dawn Langstroth, "Danny's Song" with Martina McBride, “Another Pot O’ Tea” with Emmylou Harris, “A Little Good News” with Indigo Girls, “Cotton Jenny" with Olivia Newton-John, “Could I Have This Dance” with Amy Grant, “Daydream Believer” with Nelly Furtado, “A Love Song” with k.d. lang, “Time Don’t Run Out On Me” with the song’s writer, Carole King, and more.
In 1979, Anne and Dusty Springfield each recorded the song "I Just Fall In Love Again." Anne's version became a hit single that garnered her Canada’s Juno Award for "Single of the Year" in 1980. Anne and Dusty remained friends until Dusty’s passing in 1999, and for Anne, releasing an album with this type of sisterly theme wouldn't seem complete without Dusty's inclusion. With the blessing of the Springfield family and estate, a new version pairing Dusty's original with Anne’s newly recorded vocals is featured on the album.
Anne Murray Duets: Friends & Legends was produced by one of the most respected music producers in the world, Phil Ramone (Tony Bennett, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Barbra Streisand, Billy Joel), who counts 14 Grammy Awards and 32 Grammy nominations among his many honors. Together, Anne and Phil decided they would treat the songs on their own terms and not adhere rigidly to the arrangements of Anne’s classic versions. While Anne had designs on how she imagined the arrangements, she gave Phil free rein to rework the songs.
“We approached the sessions as if we were just handed these songs and told to make this record,” explains Ramone. “While arrangements were changed, there are also licks on some songs that I didn’t mess with. We stayed true to the song.”
Working with Anne for the first time, Ramone adds, was an easy task. “What I love about Anne is there are no words minced about whatever she feels,” he says. “This is not a person you have to think, ‘Will she tell me the truth?’ When we met for a few hours in Michigan before we started, we agreed we wanted to bring some daring ideas and some freshness to this album.”
“I said to Phil,” joked Anne, “The only reason I asked you was that I’m the only singer left that you haven’t worked with!”
“I’ve done duets throughout my career,” Anne says. “I did duets when I started out on (CBC Television’s) ‘Singalong Jubilee.’ I did a duets album in 1971 with Glen Campbell. Growing up I did lot of group singing at school and sang with my brothers. I’ve always loved singing harmony.”
Since releasing her debut album in 1967, Anne Murray has been honored with a spectacular number of awards. She is the proud recipient of four Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, three Country Music Association Awards, three Canadian Country Music Association Awards and twenty-four Juno Awards. Anne has also been honored with the Legacy Award from the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (2006), the East Coast Music Association Directors' Special Achievement Award (2001), induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (2002), and induction into the Juno Hall of Fame (1993).
Anne Murray will tour to several U.S. cities in February and March 2008 (confirmed tour dates listed below). For updates and additional information, visit Anne Murray’s official Website: www.annemurray.com
In 2011, Billboard ranked her 10th on their list of the 50 Biggest Adult Contemporary Artists Ever, and on July 1, 2017, in celebration of Canada’s 150th Anniversary, the Toronto Sun listed Anne at #1 in Canada’s Top 160 Influences that helped define Canadian culture!
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Anne Murray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
The lyrics to "O Little Town of Bethlehem" portray a picturesque scene of the quiet and serene town on the night of Jesus' birth. The opening lines describe the town's stillness as the residents lie in deep and peaceful slumber, while the stars silently pass by in the sky above. However, amidst this calmness, the streets of Bethlehem are filled with the shining light of everlasting hope and promise. The song suggests that within this humble town, the hopes and fears of countless generations are brought together and fulfilled on this momentous night.
The second verse focuses on the birth of Jesus, highlighting the significance of his arrival. Mary, the mother of Christ, is mentioned as the one who gives birth to him. While humans are sleeping, the angels watch over in awe and love, and even the morning stars come together to rejoice and announce the holy birth. The angels' praise is directed towards God, the King, and they declare peace on earth for all people.
Overall, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" paints a vivid image of the town's tranquility contrasting with the radiant light and overwhelming emotions brought by the birth of Jesus. It emphasizes the universal impact and everlasting significance of this divine event, and invites listeners to reflect on the profound meaning of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Oh humble town of Bethlehem, we see you lying calmly
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
While in peaceful slumber, the silent stars pass above you
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
However, in your dark streets, the eternal light of hope shines
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
All the hopes and fears of countless years converge within you tonight
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
Because Christ is born of Mary, and all gather around Him from heaven
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
As humans slumber, angels keep a watch filled with wonder and love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
Oh morning stars sing together, announcing your sacred birth
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
And they sing praises to God, the king, and proclaim peace to all mankind on earth
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Oh humble town of Bethlehem, we see you lying calmly
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
While in peaceful slumber, the silent stars pass above you
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
However, in your dark streets, the eternal light of hope shines
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
All the hopes and fears of countless years converge within you tonight
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Lewis H Redner, Phillip Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Thompson
on Me Too
Lyrics found here are completely wrong; completely different song.