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Old Frank is renowned, among other things, for having an impressive recording longevity. Rarely were the gaps between album releases long.
One of these pauses occurred in 1968, which was a very important year in the life of the fifty-year-old performer.
Several months passed since the collaboration with Duke Ellington resulted in the famous Francis A. & Edward K., and after picking up the microphone again, it was time to pull some great covers out of the hat.
Why does Cycles sound so melancholic?
The reasons oscillate, of course, between personal reasons (the third official divorce, this time from Mia Farrow) and artistic choices. In any case, the presence of the now longtime companion Don Costa stands out—a composer with whom Sinatra decided to start his own label Reprise at the beginning of the decade.
The standout piece on the tracklist is undoubtedly From Both Sides Now written by Joni Mitchell. The liveliness of the instruments conceals lyrics that are anything but happy. The orchestral theatricality of Rain In My Heart opens the scene with anxious piano notes and blooms with pathos in the chorus. A full-form Frank flaunts his frustrations.
While the world tires him by repeatedly requesting Paul Anka's My Way, he records Pretty Colors. Short, intense, and resigned.
"I hate those who sing songs as a sort of tribute to themselves" he states. Clearer than that?
It's said he was a grumpy man, it's said he was a philanthropist. I believe Cycles is one of the most intimate albums he has ever recorded. Just look at the cover with him sitting that way, just read the title. The cycles and changes that even he, like everyone else, had to digest to move forward. He did move forward quite a bit, and tonight I recommend you put on Cycles to chase away the fear of changes.
Tracklist and Lyrics
04 Pretty Colors (02:37)
I close my eyes and just see pretty colors,
They're dancing just for me, pretty colors (pretty colors)
Locked in my mind they'll always be,
You'll never give your love to me,
So I'll just close my eyes and just see pretty colors (pretty colors).
Locked in my mind they'll always be,
You'll never give your love to me,
So I'll just close my eyes and just see pretty colors (pretty colors)
Pretty colors (pretty colors), pretty colors.
05 Cycles (03:13)
Writer(s): Gayle Caldwell
So I'm down and so I'm out
But so are many others
So I feel like tryin' to hide
My head 'neath these covers
Life is like the seasons
After winter comes the spring
So I'll keep this smile awhile
And see what tomorrow brings
I've been told and I believe
That life is meant for livin'
And even when my chips are low
There's still some left for givin'
I've been many places
Maybe not as far as you
So I think I'll stay awhile
And see if some dreams come true
There isn't much that I have learned
Through all my foolish years
Except that life keeps runnin' in cycles
First there's laughter, then those tears
But I'll keep my head up high
Although I'm kinda tired
My gal just up and left last week
Friday I got fired
You know it's almost funny
But things can't get worse than now
So I'll keep on tryin' to sing
But please, just don't ask me how
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