Sep 16

Sep 16 Amoureuse, by Kiki Dee

To have and to hold and never want to let go

I have always liked this song. Partly because it requires some vocal dexterity to sing along with it, but which Kiki Dee makes sound so effortless, and also because of the dreamy quality of it and the simple, yet sensuous lyrics. It tugs at the heartstrings this one, so makes it into the Heart & Soul category.

How do they do that?

There is one particular line in the lyrics of this song which I think is embedded throughout the music and which gives the song its character:“Reaching out I touch another skin, breathing out as he is breathing in.”

Imagine slow, sated breathing and hear how it is embodied by the singer. The first two lines of the verse are sung on a single note (except one), as if in speech or a whisper. It feels very intimate. The third line shifts up one note before dropping back again, creating an emotional tug whilst moving the music forwards. And the fourth line, my favourite vocal element, contains a gently rising upward scale that floats on an out-breath. The verse keeps all of the notes of the tune pretty much next to one another, which, perhaps, helps to retain a sense of intimacy throughout this part of the song. The accompaniment supports the singer very sensitively and maintains the slow rhythm of breathing even when the singer is at rest. In the chorus, the mood feels more animated and the melody is characterised by an upward leap six notes apart. More of a gasp than the slow sensuous breath of the verse, but Kiki Dee sings it so smoothly that we stay immersed in her dreamy, post-coital, hazy reminiscence.

Hope you enjoy it or feel inspired to listen to something new today.

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