Dan Costello - If I Had Words

Dan Costello showcased at the 2011 Wyoming Arts Alliance Booking Conference on Nov. 14. Here's the final song from his set - a cover of "If I Had Words" by Scott Fitzgerald and Yvonne Keeley. The song, which was featured in the 1995 family film "Babe," adapts the main theme of one of the movements from Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78, by Camille Saint-Saëns.

[@sharmsong]

I'm crying, this is so beautiful 😭💜

[@Gigislaps]

I get goosebumps when I hear this song. Idk why, I just love it

[@missbx100]

Me too 😥

[@r.fairlie7186]

My first introduction to it was the original Symphony No. 3 “Organ” by Camille Saint-Saens. I recommend that you listen to the version on KZbin by Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker . You should listen to it from the start to appreciate the entire experience. The last part starts at 29:00 with the full power and energy of a volcano (but with dignity). Then the familiar melody is delicately played on several pianos followed by the organ and more. At one stage the trumpets sound on one speaker then jump to the other and back. By then I suspect that every neuron in your brain has been switched on and is vibrating with emotion. Perhaps there’s just something in the original melody that creates this tangible effect. In the lovely guitar version it’s enough to give you goosebumps every time you hear it. I hope you (and everyone) get mega goosebumps from hearing the original in this recording. I think this organ was the one at Notre Dame Cathedral in France with the organist Pierre Cochereau.

[@TomTheOwl68]

Now people remember it from babe and not the 70's. I am so old. I don't even know why I love this song so much, maybe because it's just so simple and on point. No hidden meanings, no word salad. You can't beat the original though but Dana Winner sings it really good as well

[@katlinmonster]

This was always my favorite part of the movie, I rewound my VHS tape back over and over to watch it until it broke! This is beautiful!

[@santannaclark2714]

Same

[@tesscastro3410]

Me too😊

[@russellmiles2861]

Favourite part of my adolescence

[@stevenmalham2234]

And a box of tissues for the tears.

[@thepaper888]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmKUnp95gZKXoac Rest in Peace our videotapes

[@homefromaway]

Wow. Was not at all prepared for the emotional response I had from this performance. I clicked on the link because I love the song and hadn't listened to it in ages....as soon as he started-instant goosebumps followed by tears and simple awe of his talent. Gotta love the power of music! :-)

[@zeldathegreekful]

this is a GREAT version, i really wish that there was a better quality/in studio version of him singing

[@doxieluver4452]

Wow, so beautiful! Loved it!

[@fangerpicker]

Interesting little tidbit on this song that I just learned today! The popular recording(s) of this song back in the '70s were indeed Yvonne Keeley and Scott Fitzgerald... but neither one of them wrote the lyrics or created the arrangement! Credit there should be given to Jonathan Hodge, who also produced the pop single. Learn something new every day!

[@sarahlowe8922]

Thanks for singing this just the way I wanted to hear it. :)

[@jakekilpatrick3610]

Best version out there....!!! Thanks Dan..... Jake....

[@waynewayne4007]

Beautiful spirit, God bless you

[@ctakitimu]

I wish I could be as good on guitar as Dan is (without putting in the thousands of hours work...yeah yeah I'm lazy) Awesome work Dan. I liked the timbre of your voice in the first half

[@anandpandey9988]

This song 💙💙💙💙💙🙏

[@lorirauscher1956]

Love that song

[@RicoJazz]

You sir have a great taste.

[@tiaritart]

I love this, your voice and guitar work is incredible! good job :)

[@alyssanunez5850]

Beautiful voice!!!! I mean, holy cow!

[@kendalabarca6707]

Viva La Paz!!! Vivan las personas buenas que desean la paz y solo cosas buenas para la humanidad. 🙏🏻😌

[@Toaof9x]

Beautiful and well played... Loved it.. Thank you for sharing this, Perfect...

[@aberdeendh]

This is so wonderful.

[@jayakarc]

Lovely

[@jaystevens137]

Wow. Absolutely incredible.

[@TheAllthegoodstuff]

Go on, son! 💪👍

[@SB-nu7vh]

Amazing! Well done :) I love that song

[@1wiesehoefer1]

Beautiful

[@ladyabercrombie]

beautiful!

[@littledreamer08]

goosebumps. amazing, did a brilliant job :)

[@grrwuff4099]

Guitar then voice - wooooow... First time I've listened to Dan C (Is he -by any chance- related to THE Costello?) Just loooove this interpretation of an all-time classic, superb handling of instrument and VOICE... WOW

[@thepaper888]

Farmer Hogget would he proud.

[@angelmoodymusic9999]

Lovely version !

[@allanahcullen216]

Beautiful! :')

[@1Martemil]

Wow. Awesome!

[@fangerpicker]

Thanks so much for watching and posting, everyone! Ivan, do you have a preferred tab site you use? I have edited quite a few tabs on various sites, but haven't submitted all that many of my own arrangements.

[@MrTHEMONEEMAKER]

Awesome job man

[@Trecalicka]

Really nice.

[@aml6265]

Still haven't heard mention of Saint Saens!!! Gaggy, you may have mentioned it, but I could not find a comment.

[@MarthaReich]

SO pretty!!!

[@davidgallois5634]

Thank you for sharing. I'd love to see a tutorial on this version. Nice job Sir.... I think I'm going to troll some more of your videos... RESPECT!!!!

[@amatobo]

Wow, very nice

[@victoriamitchell8447]

Where can I get your version in MP3 format? I want to use this song at my wedding.

[@fangerpicker]

Victoria -- I still haven't cleared publishing rights for mechanical use on this. Sorry for the delay -- hope you found a way, ha ha. Congrats on the wedding!!

[@swerdna1970]

nice. very nice.

[@lauralovedogs]

Wow :D

[@TheLanny101]

He's good

[@BBGshop7]

you're a good support :) I like you, you had his back! :D

[@MCActionMan]

Good job

[@toddwalker1776]

Any tabs? Pleaseeeee

[@PerfectPitchArtists]

Way to be negative, Alangon77! If you'll look in the description of the video, you'll see Scott Fitzgerald is indeed referenced. As for not referencing him during the performance, I'm sure Dan would say once you're under those spotlights you can forget your own name, let alone everything you planned on mentioning. And in a showcase setting like this, you have an extremely limited amount of time.

[@LouieNeira]

Just now noticed. It has a Dire Straits vibe to it.

[@jamieprendergast]

Is there tab or notation available for this arrangement?

[@fangerpicker]

Jamie, sorry for the delayed response-- I haven't put out a tab for this yet, but it's in the works! I'll let you know if/when I post it.

[@jfunk7776]

Any tab for this yet, I love it so much and would love to learn!

[@toddwalker1776]

I am also looking a tab for this! Can't find anything good

[@Alangon77]

My mistake, I apologize.

[@ivansin1794]

you.......should post chords or tabs

[@PerfectPitchArtists]

Apology accepted. Otherwise I hope you enjoyed Dan's version. Best, T

[@Alangon77]

Way to not reference Scott Fitzgerald

[@mrplajeffreysgreatadventur1248]

That lad is bad

[@stevecooper6653]

Buy yourself a proper guitar 🎸 🤷

[@gaggymott9159]

Respect to anyone who can handle a guitar like this guy....superb: BUT, he should have kept his mouth shut! Very off-key in places, and pronouncing 'a' as 'A', and not 'aah'.........:-(

[@johnharvey1812]

Thanks, Gaggy.

[@fangerpicker]

Thanks for the input, Gaggy. Yeah, not my best vocal performance, ha ha... It was in a huge room, and I didn't have a direct monitor mix, but it's definitely a little raw. I disagree w/ the "ay" vs. "ah" comment, I guess, because that's entirely style-subjective. The lyrics aren't from the classical approach -- they were actually originally from a reggae version put out in the '70s!

[@gaggymott9159]

Dan Costello Hey Dan, as an Organist I'm well used to people 'dissing' my musical ability, both in the King of Instruments and vocally: Believe me, my last post was NOT meant to be, by any mean, disrespectful: More an observation......Slán Agat, Euan

[@jasonbull3987]

Awesome guitar playing, but why in gods name would you take 1 of the best backbeat reggae feels of all time, and turn it into a country folk feel. I'm sure you inspired all your listeners to google the real version on their way home.