George Anthony Newley (born on September 24, 1931 in the London Borough of Hackney; died on April 14, 1999) was an English actor, singer and songwriter. A graduate of the Italia Conti Academy stage school, his first major film role was as the Artful Dodger in David Lean's 1948 rendition of Oliver Twist, the classic Charles Dickens tome.
Newley had a successful pop music career, with two number one hits in 1960: "Why?" and "Do You Mind?" He won the 1963 Grammy Award for Song of the Year for "What Kind of Fool Am I", but he was also well-known for "Gonna Build a Mountain" and comic novelty songs such as his version of "Strawberry Fair". He wrote songs that others made hits including Goldfinger (the title song of the James Bond movie), and Feeling Good, which became a hit for Nina Simone. With Leslie Bricusse, he wrote the musical Stop the World - I Want to Get Off in which he also performed, earning a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. His other musicals included The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd (1965) and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), based on the children's book by Roald Dahl. The play was released in a film version in 1971.
Newley's vocal style has been recognised as a major influence on that of David Bowie. In recognition of his creative skills and body of work, Newley was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989.
The shortlived 1960 ATV series The Strange World of Gurney Slade in which Newley starred, continues to have a cult following due to its postmodern premise that the Newley character is trapped inside a television programme. Apart from a repeat of one episode on Channel 4 in 1992, it has not been seen in the UK in recent years. The show's theme tune by Max Harris may be better-known today than the series itself.
His last feature role in the cast of EastEnders was to be a regular role, but Newley had to withdraw after a few months when his health began to fail.
Leslie Bricusse (born 29 January 1931) is a British lyricist. Although best known for his partnership with Anthony Newley, Bricusse has worked with many other composers. He was Secretary of Footlights between 1952 and 1953 and Footlights President during the following year.
Stop the World - I Want to Get Off was a musical which opened at the Queen's Theatre, London on 20 July 1961, and ran for 555 performances. The book, lyrics & music were by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Anthony Newley also played the lead, a little man in a clown's guise always defeated by circumstances. He was supported by Anna Quayle as the women in his life. Only three songs became popular: "I'm Gonna Build a Mountain," "Once in a Lifetime," and "What Kind of Fool am I." Future West End star Marti Webb was part of the chorus.
The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd was a follow up musical play to Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley's Stop the World - I Want to Get Off. It floundered in Britain with the comedian Norman Wisdom as the lead, but was more successful on Broadway with Anthony Newley. The plot was allegorical in nature, pitting Cocky, the little man who always plays by the rules, against Sir, who goes his own way, ignoring the rules. Newley played Cocky, while Sir was played on Broadway by Cyril Ritchard.
The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd opened at the Shubert Treatre on 16 May 1965 and ran for 232 performances.
The song "Who Can I Turn To" became popular at the time, and in addition to Newley was recorded by Tony Bennett. Other songs were recorded by Sammy Davis Jr.. "Feeling Good" has been covered by a number of artists, including Nina Simone, Muse, Michael Bublé and most recently The Pussycat Dolls.
Pure Imagination
Anthony Newley And Leslie Bricusse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make a wish count to three
Come with me and you'll be
In a world of pure imagination
Take a look and you'll see
Into your imagination
Traveling in the world of my creation
What we'll see will defy explanation
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Wanna change the world?
There's nothing to it
There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there, you'll be free
If you truly wish to be
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Wanna change the world?
There's nothing to it
There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there, you'll be free
If you truly wish to be
The first stanza of Pure Imagination invites the listener to take a deep breath and make a wish. The wish is a portal for the listener to enter a world of pure imagination. The second stanza assures the listener that there is nothing impossible in this imaginative world. The song then takes a turn in the third stanza as the singer promises to take the listener on a journey to explore the world of his creation. The lyrics suggest that what they'll see will be too amazing to explain in the ordinary terms of the world they're leaving behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold your breath
Pause for a moment
Make a wish count to three
Think of a desire and mentally give it power
Come with me and you'll be
Join me on a journey
In a world of pure imagination
In an imaginative space where anything is possible
Take a look and you'll see
Observe your surroundings with curiosity
Into your imagination
Into the power of your thoughts and creativity
We'll begin with a spin
We'll start with an exciting burst of energy
Traveling in the world of my creation
Exploring the universe of my imagination
What we'll see will defy explanation
Discoveries we make will be magical and beyond reason
If you want to view paradise
If you want to see a perfect place
Simply look around and view it
Just glance around you with appreciation
Anything you want to, do it
You can achieve whatever you desire
Wanna change the world?
Would you like to make a difference?
There's nothing to it
It's easy to do
There is no life I know
There is no experience that compares
To compare with pure imagination
To the possibilities created by the power of imagination
Living there, you'll be free
In that world, you'll find liberation
If you truly wish to be
If you genuinely desire such an existence
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, TARADAM MUSIC, INC., Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James Malcolm Cook
A wonderful Newley/Bricusse gem performed to perfection by one of the worlds most talented actor, entertainer, songwriters. Newley had more talent than he was ever given credit for, he was a British showbusiness icon!
Rebecca C
Anthony Newley was such a talented guy, not only through his song writing, but his acting and singing. There will never be another one of him. At least we have his beautiful music and recordings of him singing left for all generations to enjoy.
Juliaflo
+Rebecca C I totally second that. For the record, I DETEST the remake of 'Willy Wonka'. What was Hollywood thinking?
Rebecca C
Gene Wilder is the only Willy Wonka I recognize. :)
Diane Brierley
Anthony Newly had such an individual voice .. there was no mistaking him whatsoever. Great actor & a lovely singer.. a very , very talented man who was never fully appreciated. Love this song & the way he interprets it...almost as good as Gene Wilder's version in the film.❤️He is much missed ❤️
Larry Davidson
Missing my friend , Anthony , today . He once told me this was his favorite .
Sunny Azarpour
This track with Newley’s voice is like being in paradise, or what I imagine paradise to be like, magical.
Raffaella Brendes
love him, there's no one like him, just adore everything he does
MrMjp58
He was a supreme interpreter of a lyric. Musically always quirky and interesting - and exciting.
Sandy N
Absolutely.