It’s hard to believe, but one of my favorite performers of all time - Gilda Radner – has been gone for more than 21 years. One of the original Saturday Night Live cast members (and the first to be hired), Gilda introduced us to such iconic characters as Roseanne Roseannadanna, Emily Litella (“Oh…that’s very different. Never mind!”), Lisa Loopner, and Baba Wawa. In 1979, she starred in her own Broadway show called “Gilda Radner – Live From New York”, which was later filmed and released in theaters. The movie bombed with critics, but I remember buying the movie’s soundtrack and playing it endlessly on the console stereo in the living room. I thought, aside from Lucille Ball, that Gilda Radner was the funniest person in the world.
Her movie included lots of great songs that I still remember all the words to: “Let’s Talk Dirty to the Animals” (the song that earned the film it’s R-rating), “I Love To Be Unhappy”, and “Goodbye Saccharin”. But it was her closing number that always got me. And as silly as the title seems, “Honey, Touch Me With My Clothes On”, the song is sweet, and the lyrics – written by Gilda – are touching. And who knew she could carry a tune?
I remember listening to the album and loving it SO much! Of course, I had no idea what I was really singing about until one day when my mom came running into the room and told me that I was too young to be listening to it. When I got older and bought the CD, I suddenly realized what my mom was so upset about. :-) I still listen to it now and again and I can't help but wonder what great things she would have gone on to do, had she not died so young.
I remember listening to the album and loving it SO much! Of course, I had no idea what I was really singing about until one day when my mom came running into the room and told me that I was too young to be listening to it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I got older and bought the CD, I suddenly realized what my mom was so upset about. :-)
I still listen to it now and again and I can't help but wonder what great things she would have gone on to do, had she not died so young.
I loved her too. She was such a talented person.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen that song/skit in a long time. I loved this movie and I too always found this closing song to be touching.
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