He was born in Battle, East Sussex, England and is remembered by many music lovers and record collectors for his numerous albums and appearances on radio and television during the era following the second world war.
From the 1950s onwards, Chacksfield was one of Britain's most famous orchestra leaders, and his fame spread around the world. Early in his career he was fortunate to have several big sellers in the USA, which firmly established his reputation world-wide.
During his recording career with Decca alone, it is estimated that he sold 20 million copies.
Chacksfield learned to play the piano as a boy and became the deputy organist for the local church. Though his parents discouraged his pursuit of music as a career, he persevered. In the late '30s, when he was in his mid-20s, he was leading small musical bands in Britain. During World War II, he was assigned to the British Army entertainment unit, and after the war he became a regular performer on the BBC.
In 1953, he formed an orchestra he called "The Tunesmiths" and won a contract with Parlophone Records. Within two years, he expanded the group from a traditional big band into an orchestra with strings and released a series of "mood music" albums. His sound was similar to Mantovani and Melachrino. His biggest hits, in both the UK and the US, were "Ebb Tide" and "Limelight."
Chacksfield was also responsible for the musical arrangement of the first ever British entry into the Eurovision Song Contest, "All" by Patricia Bredin in 1957. Only because BBC musical director Eric Robinson insisted on accompanying Bredin to the contest in Frankfurt, Chacksfield did not get the chance to perform as a conductor on this international stage.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s Chacksfield recorded a large number of instrumental recordings for Starborne Productions. The recordings were licensed for use by "Easy Listening" radio stations and functional music companies. The vast majority of these recordings were not made commercially available to the general public until 2007 by Starborne Productions.
Theme from Picnic/Moonglow Introduction
Frank Chacksfield Lyrics
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I looked at you and somehow I knew
On a day for singing,
My heart went winging
A picnic grove was our rendezvous
You and I in the sunshine
We strolled the fields amd farms
At the last light of evening,
So when days grow stormy
And lonely for me
I just recall picnic time and you.
The lyrics of Frank Chacksfield's Theme from Picnic/Moonglow Introduction depict a romantic and lovely experience on a picnic day. The singer describes how, on a seemingly regular picnic day, they suddenly realized their strong feelings for their partner. As they walked through fields and farms, their hearts were filled with joy and love. And as the evening fell, they found themselves holding each other, lost in the beauty of the moment. The song suggests that no matter how tumultuous life can be, recalling this wonderful time spent together fills the singer's heart with love and hope.
The lyrics of Theme from Picnic/Moonglow Introduction are a beautiful portrayal of love and romance. The song reminds us of the simple joys of life, like spending time with someone we care about in a beautiful natural setting. It also highlights the importance of cherishing these moments and holding onto their memory during difficult times. Overall, the song serves a romantic and sentimental piece that resonates with anyone who has experienced the warmth and love of a beautiful picnic with a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
On a picnic morning without a warning
One fine morning during a picnic, unexpectedly
I looked at you and somehow I knew
I gazed at you and instinctively sensed something
On a day for singing,
One of those bright and sunny days, perfect for singing
My heart went winging
My heart soared and sang
A picnic grove was our rendezvous
We arranged to meet at a grove for our picnic date
You and I in the sunshine
Both of us were in the bright sun
We strolled the fields and farms
We leisurely walked around the countryside
At the last light of evening,
As the sun began to set
I held you in my arms
I embraced and held you tightly
So when days grow stormy
When days become difficult and turbulent
And lonely for me
And I feel lost and alone
I just recall picnic time and you.
I remember fondly our picnic, and the moments shared together.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: GEORGE W DUNING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind