Now Michael is back with A SONG FOR YOU, his second Rendezvous recording. In collaboration with Rendezvous , Grammy nominated arranger and composer Randy Waldman and Grammy winning Engineer Woody Woodruff, Michael assembled a collection of new standards that range from the albumβs first single, βItβs Too Lateβ and βYouβve Got a Friend,β both by Carole King; to a dimensional βFragileβ by Sting. Joni Mitchellβs βBoth Sides Nowβ is given an expansive, but respectful new spin; while Michael Frankβs βTell Me All About Itβ is a playfully laidback interplay, featuring guest and Rendezvous co-founder Dave Koz, with Brazilian sensibilities.
A defining characteristic of all of the albumβs 11 tracks are unexpected shifts in mood and instrumentation that flow organically in and out of each other. Paul Simonβs βStill Crazy After All These Yearsβ features romantic strings and sultry sax. βNobody Does it Betterβ by Marvin Hamlisch, is a more restrained and romantic Gospel flavor that builds to a no-holds-barred conclusion. Randy Waldmanβs keyboards, and the All-Star ensemble featuring Vinnie Colauita, Brian Bromberg, Dean Parks, Luis Conte, and a top Los Angeles session orchestra, season each song to perfection.
The album also features βA Song for You,β penned by rocker Leon Russell, βSheβs Always A Womanβ, by Billy Joel and βSorry Seems to Be the Hardest Wordβ, by songwriting greats Elton John and Bernie Taupin. With his instrumental versatility, Michael also plays clarinet on the intro to βSorry Seems to Be the Hardest Wordβ, an instrument that he studied classically for eight years prior to him picking up the sax at age 15.
Leaning strongly toward the pop side of jazz, with classical, Brazilian, Latin, and gospel shadings, Lington plays a distinctive contemporary saxophone. βItβs the kind of record that inspired me from the very beginning. The songs on this CD are the core of what has driven me to become a musician,β says Michael. βI wanted to go back in time, to when music had a strong emotional impact on people and songs really mattered -- but to do it with a new twist.
Michael explains, βWith this album, I really wanted to focus on the underappreciated, or underexposed standards of tomorrow -- mainly songs from the β70s that have been rarely covered in a jazz instrumental format.β He continues, βwhat I had in mind during the entire process, was to create a classic album, with a timeless feel that is as current today as it is 40 years from now.β
Growing up in a suburb of Copenhagen, Denmark, Michael Lington is the grandson of Otto Lington, a jazz pioneer in their tiny country, and bandleader for Shirley Bassey, Josephine Baker and Fats Waller, amongst many others. As a childhood fan of musicians like Vinnie Colaiuta, Dean Parks and Randy Waldman, Michael would replay his vinyl jazz recordings again and again, reflecting on the memories of his grandfatherβs era.
Little did Michael know, that someday, his name would be nestled in the notes next to those of his childhood heroes in an album of contemporary classics. The rich legacy of his grandfatherβs jazz connection, his classical training, and a stint of touring in Europe, led him to the U.S. in 1990, and at 21, he began performing with Little Richard , Gary βU.S.β Bonds and Randy Crawford. He also landed a four year gig touring with singer Bobby Caldwell , joining the list of imminent sax players associated with the singer, including Rendezvous co-founder Dave Koz, Richard Elliot and Boney James.
It was through this collaboration, that Michael landed his recording contract, which leads to present, and his new CD, in which there is an organic synergy between Lington, the songs, and arrangements, that lifts Song for You into the realm of the truly unforgettable.
Michael believes covering songs that have deeply impacted listeners is far more demanding than recording his own material. βPeople feel strongly about these songs. Itβs important for me to keep the integrity of the song, yet make it my own, so Iβm not just repeating whatβs been done before. If you improvise too much, you lose your audience, but if you play it straight up and down, itβs not very interestingβitβs a fine line between staying true to the melody, and yet making each song interesting instrumentally.β
Lington has been a global touring presence for the past several years, and plans to continue with A Song for You. In between his ongoing performances -- i.e. performing at the Royal Wedding of Denmarkβs future king, Crown Prince Frederick -- and recordings, Lington proves to be a giving performer by lending his artistry to the Mr. Hollandβs Opus Foundation, which raises funds for childrenβs music programs and provides instruments to public schools all over the U.S. Michael participates in Create Now, where he mentors troubled teens in Los Angeles and Acreβs of Love, a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive services; and βForeverβ homes for abandoned and AIDS children in South Africa.
The U.S. based, Danish-born Lington loves classic beauty and expression whether it comes in the form of a song, his vintage European automobiles, underwater landscapes, a childβs smile, or open sky viewed from behind the instrument panel of a helicopter.
A Song for You is undoubtedly a significant step in Lingtonβs ever-ascending career, and an invitation for everyone to dream.
Through The Fire
Michael Lington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've loved so dangerously
You're not trusting your heart to anyone
You tell me you're gonna play it smart
We're through before we start
But I believe that we've only just begun
When it's this good, there's no saying no
Through the fire
To the limit, to the wall
For a chance to be with you
I'd gladly risk it all
Through the fire
Through whatever, come what may
For a chance at loving you
I'd take it all the way
Right down to the wire
Even through the fire
I know you're afraid of what you feel
You still need time to heal
And I can help if you'll only let me try
You touch me and something in me knew
What I could have with you
Well I'm not ready to kiss that dream goodbye
When it's this sweet, there's no saying no
I need you so, I'm ready to go
Through the fire
To the limit, to the wall
For a chance to be with you
I'd gladly risk it all
Through the fire
Through whatever, come what may
For a chance at loving you
I'd take it all the way
Right down to the wire
Even through the fire
Through the test of time
Through the fire
To the limit, to the wall
For a chance to be with you
I'd gladly risk it all
Through the fire
Through whatever, come what may
For a chance at loving you
I'd take it all the way
Right down to the wire
Even through the fire
Through the fire, to the limit
(Through the fire) through the fire, through whatever
Through the fire, to the limit
Through the fire, through whatever
Through the fire, to the limit
Through the fire, through whatever
Through the fire, to the limit
Through the fire, through whatever
Through the fire, to the limit
Through the fire, through whatever
Through the fire, to the limit
Through the fire, through whatever
In Michael Lington's song Through the Fire, the lyrics tell the story of two people who are deeply in love but hesitant to fully commit to one another. The singer looks into his lover's eyes and recognizes the fear and uncertainty present within them, but he believes that despite this, their love is worth fighting for. He is willing to risk anything and everything for a chance to be with his loved one, even if it means going through difficult and challenging situations. Throughout the song, he repeats the phrase "through the fire" as a symbol of the hardships they may encounter but also as a sign of his unwavering commitment to their relationship.
The lyrics acknowledge the doubt and hesitation that often come with falling in love, as the singer recognizes his lover's fear and acknowledges that they both need time to heal. However, despite these obstacles, he believes that their love is worth pursuing and is willing to take risks to make it work. The song is a powerful expression of the transformational nature of love, and how it can inspire us to overcome our fears and take bold steps towards a better future.
Overall, Through the Fire is a powerful ballad that speaks to the intense emotions and challenges that come with falling in love. It celebrates the courage and commitment needed to navigate the ups and downs of any relationship, and encourages us to take risks and bravely pursue love even in the face of uncertainty and adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I look in your eyes and I can see
I can see in your eyes that our love has been intense and possibly dangerous.
We've loved so dangerously
Our love has been intense and possibly dangerous.
You're not trusting your heart to anyone
You are hesitant to trust anyone with your heart.
You tell me you're gonna play it smart
You say that you want to be cautious and not rush into things.
We're through before we start
You want to end things before they even begin, out of fear or caution.
But I believe that we've only just begun
I believe that our love has just started and we have so much more to explore and experience together.
When it's this good, there's no saying no
When love is this intense and passionate, it's almost impossible to resist.
I want you so, I'm ready to go
I want you so much that I'm ready to take risks for the chance to be with you.
Through the fire
I am willing to face all obstacles for the chance to be with you.
To the limit, to the wall
I am willing to go to extreme lengths for the chance to be with you, even if it means risking everything.
For a chance to be with you
I am willing to take risks and face any challenge for the chance to be with you.
I'd gladly risk it all
I am willing to take even the biggest risks for the chance to be with you.
Through whatever, come what may
I am willing to face any obstacle or challenge for the chance to be with you.
For a chance at loving you
I am willing to take risks for the chance to experience love with you.
I'd take it all the way
I am willing to go all the way, taking any risk or facing any challenge, for the chance to be with you.
Right down to the wire
I am willing to go to the very edge of what is safe or reasonable, taking big risks for the chance to be with you.
Even through the fire
I am willing to face any obstacle or challenge, no matter how difficult, for the chance to be with you.
I know you're afraid of what you feel
I understand that you are afraid of your own feelings and the possibility of being hurt.
You still need time to heal
You are still recovering from past traumas or heartbreaks and need time to feel ready for a new relationship.
And I can help if you'll only let me try
I am willing to be patient and supportive, and help you heal and overcome your fears as long as you let me try.
You touch me and something in me knew
Your touch triggers something powerful within me, and I recognize the potential for a deep and meaningful connection.
What I could have with you
I see the potential for a beautiful and meaningful relationship with you.
Well I'm not ready to kiss that dream goodbye
I am not willing to give up on the dream of a meaningful relationship with you, even if it means facing challenges or taking risks.
Through the test of time
I am willing to see our relationship through all of life's challenges and complexities, and work hard to make it last.
(Through the fire) through the fire, through whatever
I am willing to face any and all challenges, no matter how difficult or intense.
Through the fire, to the limit
I am willing to take on the biggest challenges and face the most intense obstacles, for the chance to be with you.
Through the fire, through whatever
I am willing to handle any challenge or obstacle that may come our way, with intensity and dedication.
Writer(s): Tom Keane, David Foster, Cynthia Weil
Contributed by Josiah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-im3yc9ik2t
So very passionate and warm!π€
@sonjatiemessen1336
I love this song, because my father has been a π¨βπ firefighter for over 30 years. Now he is retired and we would go 'Through the fire' for each other . Greetings from a π· friend in the Netherlands.
@MrHighlander400
He is an awesome saxophonist, great music and rendition of this piece.
@noesax
EXELENTE
@ederdossantos6605
Como faço para baixar o songbook do Michael Lington ou Playback com o acompanhamento e partituras? Me ajudem ai pessoal.
@Cooltraveller1
Uu