I wrote this song in 1987 for the movie Bagdad Cafe. The original version was sung by Jevetta Steele. In February 2016 Charles Dennis filmed me performing Calling You at Bar Lunatico, Brooklyn.
Пікірлер: 172
@TheUrszulat4 жыл бұрын
This song could only have been written by a great soul. Haunting, mesmerising, and uplifting and profoundly melancholic too.
@jasonzions73082 жыл бұрын
In 1991, Canadian singer Holly Cole released her version on her album Blame It on My Youth (Holly Cole Trio). I'd thought that version was definitively powerful and evocative. It's still pretty amazing, but this performance... wow.
@1dantown2 жыл бұрын
One of the best songs of the last 50 years.
@ssoupayan4 ай бұрын
This song always feels like written by a siren. Hauntingly beautiful while melancholy.
@53pittmanjt3 жыл бұрын
This song is a gift you have left for the ages.
@m.80654 жыл бұрын
In all my years of life, no other song has ever touched my heart. Mourning my husband my heart.
@stacykozusyn98527 ай бұрын
My heart goes out to you
@johncalloway11292 жыл бұрын
I have been mesmerized by this song for years. Stops me in my tracks...
@fido6523 жыл бұрын
Bob, this was your moment of genius ! The chorus comes out of nowhere, hovering on that strange sequence of diminished chords that catch at the heart. Now you belong to the ages...
@Jelam111 ай бұрын
One of my favorite songs, haunting and bittersweet 😌
@markthompson90565 ай бұрын
Absolutely!
@francescoamadio43115 жыл бұрын
One of the advantages of listening to the actual author singing: for the first time ever I heard the third verse of this song. And it was awesome!
@bobtelson28775 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked verse 3! Here's the story: for the movie I only wrote the 2 verses you hear there. Many years later, I got a call from Barbra Streisand's producer that she wanted to record the song but requested that I write a 3rd verse! And so I did...
@mariaroca57623 жыл бұрын
One of the best songs ever written. This song has been with me always. What a gift. What a thing you did. You can leave this earth knowing that there are thousands of people out there with your song in their hearts and minds. When a song like this shows up it's a true miracle. Not to many of these...
@lindalewis31456 жыл бұрын
My favorite song ever!! It was the perfect most haunting song from the equally beautiful film, Bagdad Café. Levetta Steel's voice was so haunting, it will always be a personal favorite. Thank you Mr. Telson, I love your version as well!
@josephballerini3730Ай бұрын
There is no other song like this. Such interesting chords and melody.
@curtistisdale81502 жыл бұрын
This is such a joy to see and hear 'The Originator' of "This Gem"... The harmonica in the radio/movie gives it a bit of dust road vibe....Your tone, and voice is just Beautiful.....Ms. Steele, took your words, feelings and really brought it to life....
@pueraeternus1112 жыл бұрын
One of the greatest love songs ever written.
@Pattyben125 ай бұрын
Siempre lloro al oír esta canción , es cómo si mi alma viviera en un segundo toda mi complicada vida .....😢😢😢😢😢❤❤❤❤
@rasahndaniels61627 жыл бұрын
Thank you writing for such a mesmerizing song. Your falsetto is great as well!
@anamorphosys856 ай бұрын
Oh my god, what a treasure I've stumbled upon. It's always a treat to hear the song from the composer himself and in your case, it's nothing less than a feast for my ears. This song has always been in my heart for so many years, sung by many artists, notably Jevetta Steele, then Jeff Buckley, then Celine Dion, and now it seems it comes full circle with your interpretation. I can hear the longing, the melancholy in your voice so well that it resonates within my soul. Thank you Bob Telson for your song!
@markthompson90565 ай бұрын
Tragic of Jeff's untimely accidental drowning in the Mississippi.
@WilliamDuarte17 жыл бұрын
Thanks Bob Telson, congrats from Brazil!
@michaelperron71022 жыл бұрын
One of the most beautiful song Ever in the Cinema Industry
@FLeigh124 ай бұрын
Well. That was a surprise. I was going to scout out the songwriter of this monstrosity and chastise them. And THEN I found THIS version of the song. The mastermind himself.! --- I listened to two singers performing it, one was Celine, and still I hated it. I mean where is the melody..?. The chorus is everything, but this '' I I I am calling you '' is horrendous.!. BUT the beginning is masterful and gives you goose bumps. BEST VERSION OF THIS SONG.! ❤ ❤ ❤
@ninadurante44723 жыл бұрын
Bravissimo il mio grande amico Bob..sono orgogliosa di avere un amico come te..ma noi siamo diventati amici prima che io sapessi che eri un cantante famoso..grande Bob❤
@bobtelson28773 жыл бұрын
Tante grazie Nina. Abbraccio grande! Bob & Grace
@Etombayambo5 ай бұрын
A masterpiece. Bravo Bob
@jeonseoulmusic19162 жыл бұрын
Thank you. Bob Telson. 🙏
@ericsutherlandmusic16642 ай бұрын
Thank you for this awesome music. I first saw Bagdad Cafe in the late 90's as a kid on the Independent Film Channel. The film description said it was rated R for nudity, and being an 11 year old boy, I was in for the duration. Little did I know, I was about to see one of the best indy films I'd ever see, and this song captured my attention completely, even at 11 year. It remains a favorite and is in my permanent rotating playlist :)
@domrafones5 жыл бұрын
Masterpiece
@carlosdossantos917 Жыл бұрын
It takes a very sensitive artist to do this song justice, not just a good singer. The lyrics, phrasing, and emotion are expertly written by this man. When done right, this song makes you think of deep, deep feelings and memories. Longing...
@DemonHorrorProductions4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Bob Telson for such a beautiful song. Since I discovered the movie at a library in 2015 I listen to it in my car. The movie and song gave me hope when I was with my son who was 4 yrs. old at a time that we were almost homeless, jobless and all alone. No real help from my close relatives. Practically a stranger helped us at the end gave us shelter until I was able to get back on my feet. We are good friends now. My son calls him Uncle John.
@iracemawerneck6 ай бұрын
And you are such a great composer !And you sing with all your heart. Thanks!
@elizbeer3 жыл бұрын
Greetings from Mexico 🇲🇽. Thanks for your gift to the world!!!
@rondalancaster17477 ай бұрын
Absolutely mesmerizing
@funwithFred7 жыл бұрын
A wonderful, wonderful song. Loved the film, and this song so captured the mood. It is great to see the songwriter perform the song.........lovely. Such a haunting lovely song......
@yorkyorkshireterrier95146 жыл бұрын
the best. He is the best. Seriously. The best performance Calling You (from Bagdad Cafe). The best timbre, voice, voice. I'm amazing. The perfect recording. My equipment receives this recording perfectly. He plays himself, sings himself. Genius. On jest najlepszy. Serio. Najlepsze wykonanie Calling You (from Bagdad Cafe). Najlepsza barwa głosu, siła głosu, czystość głosu. Jestem zachwycowna. Idealne nagranie. Mój sprzęt odbiera to nagranie idealnie. Sam gra, sam śpiewa. Geniusz.
@Seventysongs6 жыл бұрын
I love her song since I first heard it in the movie Bagdad Café. Congrats, she's a jewel.
@keithgardner58185 ай бұрын
Oh my god. I wish I had been there.
@PushkarCarlotto5 жыл бұрын
This is an incredible piece if music, with such care of counterpoint and motivic development. Written by a true composer. And what a song! I can never forget the impact it had when I was in my teens. Thank you!
@eduardomarochidesmeirelles41542 жыл бұрын
What a great song and great performance! 👏👏👏
@iracemawerneck6 ай бұрын
This song is so beautiful! my heart starts to hurt, in the chorus...
@jennifera66312 жыл бұрын
Your song makes my heart fuller.❤️
@bobtelson28772 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jennifer- your reply, in turn, makes my heart fuller!
@jennifera66312 жыл бұрын
@@bobtelson2877 after reading your reply, I listened to your song again, this time with my eyes closed and mouthed the words as if your voice was coming from a place deep within me...........thank you Bob.
@alonshimonshaikaspi5956 Жыл бұрын
For me the drop 2 voicing on the first GMaj7 Chord sets the haunting atmosphere of this masterpiece so well. I love this song... (sorry for the jargon use, and I may not even be correct but that harmony always fascinated me...) Every time I listen to this piano accompaniment I hear new wonderful things - I feel a transcription coming. Big big Bravo 👋👋👋👋👋
@BenjaOM422 жыл бұрын
One of my favorite songs of all time. Amazing singing and congratulations for writing such an Amazing song. Thank you !
@foxibot2 жыл бұрын
I wondered who wrote this. It reminds me of someone who has lost a loved one and is calling to them and then they break through and the loved one hears them and calls back. Or when you have someone you love and maybe are separated by distance and you know they are in trouble, my Fiancé that has known me he spa long time since we were kids, and wasn’t with me at that time in our lives swears he woke up cause he heard me calling him in a dream and that I was in trouble, and he was right as afar as I was experiencing some great difficulty in that part of my life and was in some real danger, and so I believe he heard me across space and time and then we were reunited and he fought like crazy to get me to know he loved me.
@dragonfliesnh4204 Жыл бұрын
I heard this song on American Horror Stories Season 11, episode 9. It was sung by Patti LuPone. It was quite a powerful and emotional scene. There is something about this song so I decided to see if there was a male cover of this. Upon my search I found this one here and you did an amazing job!
@bobtelson2877 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the good word- I also happened to write the tune, so not sure if it can be called a cover!
@dragonfliesnh4204 Жыл бұрын
@@bobtelson2877 You're welcome! I don't know if there is better word to use than "cover". Your version is definitely all you and not a recorded audio that you are singing to. But when I searched with the term "male cover" yours came up and it was the best male version I found. 🥰
@bobtelson2877 Жыл бұрын
@@dragonfliesnh4204 Nice!
@kathleenrogers10Ай бұрын
Oh my word, masterpiece. I’ve been listening to the film version. This is a treat!
@philhoggmusic Жыл бұрын
Really a revelation! Thank you so much for this beautiful song and this great performance!
@GoddessOfNurturingLove Жыл бұрын
One of my favorites, thank you for writing such an absolutely beautiful song.🥹💕
@yasmimlorena22812 жыл бұрын
The best voice
@deljames9750 Жыл бұрын
Magic moment 👌
@debz61103 жыл бұрын
Such a unique piece. Unforgettable!!!
@olvinyldude2 жыл бұрын
I wish, one day to fix that Coffee Machine of theirs... It made me feel so bad for them!
@angelaferraz27322 жыл бұрын
Que espetáculo de música e voz!!!!
@gaylachiriaco86676 жыл бұрын
A unique and haunting melody. You sing it so beautifully. Perfect music for the film. I never grow tired of this beautiful song.
@leadchick5 жыл бұрын
I was pleased to find Jevetta's version of the song from the movie here. But, I've got to admit, I'm surprised by the number of vocalists who have performed your song, Bob! I remember hearing it while watching the movie and being captivated by its magic. Thank you for posting your performance of the song you created. It's timeless!
@Pattyben125 ай бұрын
Amazing ❤❤❤❤❤
@vivifalabella2 жыл бұрын
I love your song so much. I went to Clasica y Moderna for your gig and farewell.
@jamesevanperez5365 жыл бұрын
Wow. It was my first time hearing this song tonight. WOW!!! Ahh, what a beautiful piece! Thank you!! It's going to be fun and exciting to express this!
@sereneamani17135 жыл бұрын
JXP Did you listen to Jevetta Steele's rendition?
@juliatymochko23315 жыл бұрын
Thank you for third version of lyrics . Nobody never ever sing it because they don't know that version or they don't want to!? It was the real big surprise for me!!! I'm gonna walk through the dessert to find you.... Tell me, please when you sing- I'm calling you- what does it mean? You call for some you love?
@bobtelson28774 жыл бұрын
Hi Julia, thanks for your warm comments! Here, from an interview I did, are the answers to your questions: How do you write a song like Calling You? What was the directive? I wish I knew; I’d write another that good. Actually, in was a confluence of events: 1. I had my first opportunity to write for a movie - which became Bagdad Cafe. 2. My girlfriend in Vienna (I was in NY) and I were breaking up. I didn’t have enough energy to get out of bed all day. Finally, guilty about my three months of procrastination, I woke up one Saturday morning and said to myself, ‘today I’m gonna write that song’. So I sat at my piano and thought about the desert, the open land, the quiet, and in it the coffee machine, the hot dry wind, the baby crying… and began to play the four-note arpeggio, recalling Bach WTC, that spells out each chord in the verse, where the last three notes of each chord stay the same and only the bass note changes, giving the feeling of being in the same place but with different lighting. As the morning becomes noonday become dusk in Bagdad Cafe. But the chorus is where the emotion, the yearning, lie. The rich and sensuous harmonic movement had to happen, a chromaticism where before it was diatonic. And I sang “I am calling you” - probably because the only thing happening in m life at that moment was the 30-minute phone call to Vienna every other day. Didn’t get the girl, but I did get the song. Funny, really it’s mostly intuition. But as your fingers play something (maybe something you feel more than you know), you recognise the intention and how it works. In 90 minutes I had the whole song, even 90 per cent of the lyrics. When Barbra Streisand asked you to write another verse to Calling You, what was your reaction? I was honoured that she loved my song so much that she wanted her own personal verse to sing! Incidentally, the version I just sang for my new CD American Dreamers has that verse in it too, so I guess I do like it. The original verses are pure description, so finally in the new verse there’s action!
@truthseekermia3874 жыл бұрын
This is the most haunting, beautiful cry of longing. This may be my most favorite piece of music in the world. Makes me feel to the bones of my soul. Thank you.
@bobtelson28774 жыл бұрын
Thank you Mia!
@MsGagalin2 жыл бұрын
I'm happy to see who wrote this mesmerizing, beautiful song. My favorite version was sung by George Michael along with Lynn Mabry.
@nzazzara311111 ай бұрын
Yes!!!
@patrickhicks98802 жыл бұрын
i used to work in a cinema when this film came out this song stopped me in my tracks i love it
@MandaLynn_Fern2 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for sharing your song! It’s very special to hear you perform it. Thanks to @philhoggmusic for sending us to your channel from his livestream :)
@mariadagracamarquesgurgel29278 ай бұрын
You’re extraordinary singer and composer. I really would like to know you: you are soft and convey a lot of emotions
@cvsop73385 жыл бұрын
amazing song for ever......
@Tlaxotlalichtli3 жыл бұрын
A masterpiece! What a beautiful song.
@debz61105 жыл бұрын
Just haunting!!!! absolutely remarkable. I could travel to another place in my mind!. Thank you!!!
@bogartzen5 жыл бұрын
Roses, roses, roses Greetings from Norway
@sereneamani17135 жыл бұрын
bogartzen Ironic When I'm singing this song, I often make the mistake of saying from Vegas to Norway (instead of nowhere) lol
@reginapontes56726 жыл бұрын
It's my absolutely my favotite song on the cd BODY HEAT Jazz At The Movies. Wonderful job!
@AnaLysator-H5 ай бұрын
Der Song ist absolute Gott. Ich möchte es singen mit eigenem Text. Ich glaube Gott hat mich hergeschickt. Meine Stimme, muss es singen.
@blackiefitzpatrick66112 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the music Bob.
@wangba5 жыл бұрын
You write soul-searing, heart-rendering music. You and Javetta Steele are magic.
@DyEsp4 ай бұрын
I was wary of listening to this version as I have loved Jevetta Steele's for 36 years, since seeing "Baghdad Cafe". But as I watched and heard your voice so purely and sweetly draw me in, I let myself drift on the current of the music, feeling the emotions the film engendered in a new way. Glad I took the time to listen to your song. (And the production was perfect for the piece)
@violinchicklet3 жыл бұрын
Fell in love all over again
@joaojunior66054 жыл бұрын
Theo best Bob. Is Magic
@bobtelson28777 ай бұрын
Thanks for the good word Stacy!
@Sven.Bornemark4 жыл бұрын
Thank you soooo much for composing this wonderful, intelligent and uplifting song! It's been in my heart and on my repertoire since I first saw Bagdad Cafe. I love you!
@judyt.57023 жыл бұрын
Never heard the last verse before .💜🖤💗♥️Lovely
@bobtelson28773 жыл бұрын
The last verse didn't exist when I originally wrote the song. in 2002 Barbra Streisand sent me a message that she was going to record the song and asked if I could write a 3rd verse for her to sing. It was fun to dive back into that desert world again.
@john_in_boston4 жыл бұрын
This recording is gorgeous. Depth, clarity, fire. Oh, and me? I've just been a mess since COLONUS '83, and in a very good way. THANK YOU, Bob Telson.
@moya74333 жыл бұрын
This song is YOURS!! Jevetta Steele's voice matches the content of the movie, but this is definitely YOUR song.
@stacykozusyn98527 ай бұрын
Man oh man, that song makes me cry every time I hear it, it pierces my soul… I had forgotten all about it and then heard it on the radio for the first time in decades a few days ago. Thanks for this wonderful version.
@mmorrisprods8 жыл бұрын
You da MAN!, Bob Telson.
@chantalbeaupre9315 жыл бұрын
Magnifque!Je connaissais la version du film de 1987.L'auteur -compositeur interprète avec une grande sensibilité la version d'origine...
@mindifihitonyourmum2 жыл бұрын
Love you dad, wherever you are.
@kathrynfarmer37363 жыл бұрын
My favorite song forever!!! You’re the greatest!❤️
@brunoharmo7 жыл бұрын
Thanks you for this tune you composed !
@siljasollien4 жыл бұрын
I Absolutely LOVE this BEAUTIFUL song of yours Bob! I sing it often when I play piano..... LOVE it! You are great!
@bobtelson28774 жыл бұрын
Thank you Sollien! I wrote that song a long time ago- if you'd like to hear what I'm doing now, go to bobtelson.com where you can hear my new album "Defying the Distances."
@siljasollien4 жыл бұрын
@@bobtelson2877 First time I heard it - was when I saw the movie Bagdad Cafe..... that's a long time ago. But now - I have the sheets - and lyrics! I will check you out. I have some videos on youtube with my own music too. Feel free to check it out if you would like to. "I used to be" is a plain and simple one.... without anything else than my voice :)
@olvinyldude2 жыл бұрын
Bob, such a great song here, you wrote...Thanx for sharing this for all...I love this film, you did amazing sing, as well... KEEP PLAYING THE MUSIC ! ! !
@waltermartinez6852 жыл бұрын
Me Emociona , Saludos Bendiciones Arriba de Uruguay Walter Washington Martinez Gómez....🥲
@angelaferraz27322 жыл бұрын
Música maravilhosa!!! Bom demais ouvi-lo cantando!!!! Da pra fechar os olhos e sonhar…..
@juliatymochko23315 жыл бұрын
This is the most magical song I've ever heard and sang!!! So magical harmony, lyrics and special place in newberry springs,CA. Hope to be there some magical day!!!
@Fedor88888888888886 жыл бұрын
Great tune, really evocative. Another amazing rendition is the Jeff Buckley version, totally worth checking out.
@diamondsareforever10114 жыл бұрын
BeyondtheReal no you got to hear Arnold McCuller version it’s way better and the way he plays that piano Arnold use to be Phil Collins background singer his is more beautiful then this guy version it’s on you tube to check out you’ll be memorized how he plays that piano at the end it’s so beautiful and haunting 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽
@Average_Bloodborne_Enjoyer Жыл бұрын
amazing!!! i always love to hear the true feeling behind any music!! and its only possible when the creator of the music sings
@maryazimmet45953 жыл бұрын
What a gorgeous solo.
@kdl39963 жыл бұрын
Hallo from Russia. The song - masterpiece. Not long ago I heard it by the first time by artist from Tbilisi - Gela Guralia. Fantastic performance.
@marimdq3 жыл бұрын
Loving your voice and this wordeful song! A big hug from Argentina.
@jodicoppernoll4901 Жыл бұрын
I just discovered this song in AHS/NYC and Patti Lupone's version. Such a beautiful, haunting, and moving song. Thank you so much for writing and sharing this song. It makes me feel so many things.
@jooperino6 жыл бұрын
beautiful
@user-wh4gi5uz1o Жыл бұрын
Спасибо!
@joannedeane32063 жыл бұрын
Love this song and it is so wonderfully performed and sung with the jazzy notes.
@centaviodehernandez3 жыл бұрын
Beautiful ❤️
@paulromero37833 жыл бұрын
I first saw this film back in 1988 when I was stationed in Rota Spain and I so loved the movie and watched it often. When the title pops up in my head this song is always playing! Thank you for writing such a beautiful melody!!! I think I'm going to rent theories tonight!!!