Cleo Laine - Anyone Can Whistle

[vaughanhyman]

Harveyyardman must be on crack. If your taste if for coco cola, why sample the finest champagne and then complain. When you have uplifted the hearts and minds of the millions of people that Cleo Laine has, then perhaps you can gripe. But, even then, all you have to do is learn to appreciate!!!

[ByakuganTaiChi]

I love the music most...but still her voice...it's wonderful! :D

[rogharm]

love cleo great minor key operatic arrangement cleo has a great voice great phrasing. love it!!!!!!!!*********ROGHARM like the flute. thank you poster for this great post clip. love it. rated highest 11+

[alanwactor]

This is a lip-synch from her 'Cleo Sings Sondheim' album. I love this album and even purchased the Disclavier play-along to go with it.

[FatalNarutoxMio]

Bravo! Love it! :D

[Alclut]

hmm... I think I agree with you harveyardman. This song seems simple, but it's very nicely balanced, not an easy task to do with a light touch. I think it's generally underrate - although I don't want to stomp on anyone's POV. I do like it, tho.

[vibraharp226]

Sondheim did some fine work in his day, but this song is near the bottom of the heap, particularly the painfully insipid lyrics and false Hallmark greeting card sentimentality. And for those of you who disagree, even Sondheim himself admitted (in an interview on NPR) that when he hears this song, he's embarrased by it. And this version by Cleo is egregiously bad.

[snuffelsuf]

@vibraharp226 ..... .. the melody is haunting ........... i dont think you can argue that the melody isnt a very strong one .of the very highest order the backdrop of this video is a bit dated and her hair do is .interesting .........but her instrament is beutifull and exceptional

[Dirkdebruyne]

@vibraharp226 if his song is basically about the inability of people to let their defenses down and risk the chance for hurt or love(they can't be separated), be it an itellectual's fear of "sentimentality" or feeling without reasoning or just anyone who is fearfull of loss then this it is right on the mark...and I don't care if Sondheim feels he has to play down this song because so many think it's autobiographical : he sure cries easily lately - why is that ? onions ? .....

[Alclut]

I do like Cleo!

[harveyardman]

This is a wonderful song and I don't care what Sondheim himself thinks about it. Why do you think there are so many recorded versions of it? And as for Sondheim doing "some fine work in his day" he is the greatest musical composer/lyricist who ever lived, and I include all the greats. I can only ascribe your comment to a superficial familiarity with his ovre and with Broadway musicals in general. Sweeney Todd is in the same league as Show Boat, Porgy and Bess, Kiss Me Kate, etc.

[billybill56]

Love the 'fro!

[damone77]

Funnily enough, Richard Rodgers composed his songs by whistling not singing...it's true. One of the great Sondheim masterworks!

[ronrichards357]

It is a great song and she's a fine singer, but what a misguided interpretation!  Something dreamed up by a set designer, no doubt.

[snuffelsuf]

i love the song and her singing..her walking around makes me a tad dizzy

[tubetoad]

whistle....Cool...whistle.....­Thanks, Cleo

[tubetoad]

...this should remind us ALL TO Wistle, Whisle, , Wisssil for SomeOne. Bless You, Cleo- and anyone Who can.

[UmbrellaWatch]

Makes me feel like shes packing up to go, maybe begin another life, another time and place, or leaving to go be herself and wander. Gives me hope somewhat in knowing so. -UW

[dizzykittys]

I love this song, but Cleo isn't my cup of tea.

[jimkeith]

One fantastic singer.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

I adore Sondheim and his work, and almost always understand it (even the most complex) but for some reason I never understood this song. Any explanations?

[beautifullytragic1]

The character in the musical (Anyone Can Whistle) is singing about how she can do hard things without problem or error, but the simple things she wishes she could do, she cannot. "What's hard is simple, what's natural comes hard." She's unable to let go of her troubles and she wishes someone could show her how to do that.

I sing this at auditions. It's such a beautiful song.

[rickyar]

From what I read the song is allegorical to the composer's own insecurities. How many other songs deal with this subject? A masterful yet simplistic and touching song.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

I agree. I love it, it's a shame that it's so obscure.

I believe it's about how for somewhat uptight people like Faye (the character), the most challenging things in life (dancing a tango, reading Greek) come natural to them because it actually requires heavy thinking. But an act as easy as whistling (which anyone can do), Faye can't do it because all it requires is carefree-ness.

[Mithnoviel]

and of course whistling is also a metaphor for that simple thing of falling in love which she also finds hard even though she's desperate to. such a wonderful way of putting it!

[Sondheimsbitch]

OMG this was a tv special about 1000 years ago! Fabulously camp... and very literal. I seem to remember Losing my Mind and her picking up coffee cups etc.

[amazmace]

I saw Cleo Lane in Merrilville Indiana with Mel Torme. What a performer.  She is great!

[timmytickles]

oh my goodness, that is one of the most adorable endearing things ive ever seen!

thank you so much for sharing!