All choked up

I was sitting in the apartment in Zahara de los Atunes and Tatjana had grabbed Ana’s El Pais to read about the tragedy in Oslo. I refused to read about because it was just too horrible, but then my eyes riveted down the front page to something that left me infinitely sadder than sad:

La cantante Amy Winehouse, de 27 años, ha sido encontrada muerta esta tarde en su casa de Camden Town, al norte de Londres, según ha confirmado un portavoz de la Policía Metropolitana. Aún se desconocen las causas de su fallecimiento.

I tried not to let the sadness overcome me, particularly in our last days on the coast of Spain, but something strong tugged at me. When I got home, I read that her mother said it was bound to happen sooner or later. Amy Winehouse opened her mouth and out flowed a lifetime, despite her years, she sang like a person who had lived a lot, an awful lot. She battled those demons day in and night out and regurgitated the horror through a voice part velvet part smoke and her songs got under your skin like a disease.

I have danced my share of dances to Valerie – her song she did with Mark Ronson – no one could sing that song like her. No one. And although I have played it infinitely over and over, I never tire of hearing it, I never tire of dancing to it, I never tire of the lyrics.

Well Sometimes I Go Out, By Myself, And I Look Across The Water.

And I Think Of All The Things, Of What You’re Doing, And in my head I Paint A Picture.

Since I’ve Come Home, Well My Body’s Been A Mess, And I Miss Your ginger Hair, And The Way You Like To Dress.

Oh Wont You Come On Over, Stop Making A Fool Out Of Me, Why Dont You Come On Over, Valerie.

Valerie
Valerie
Valerie

Did You Have To Go To Jail, Put Your House Out Up For Sale, Did You Get A Good Lawyer.

I Hope You Didnt Catch A Tan, I Hope You Find The Right Man, Who’ll Fix It For You.

Are You Shopping Anywhere, Change The Color Of Your Hair, And Are You Busy.

Did You Have To Pay That Fine, That You Were Dodging All The Time, Are You Still Dizzy.

Well Since I Come Home, Well My Body’s Been A Mess, And I Miss Your Tender Hair, And The Way You Like To Dress.

Oh Wont You Come On Over, Stop Making A Fool Out Of Me, Oh Why Dont You Come On Over, Valerie.

Valerie
Valerie
Valerie

Well Sometimes I Go Out, By Myself, And I Look Across The Water.

And I Think Of All The Things, What You’re Doing, And In My Head I Paint A Picture.

Since I’ve Come Home, Well My Body’s Been A Mess, And I Miss Your Tender Hair, And The Way You Like To Dress.

Valerie
Valerie
Valerie
Valerie
Valerie
Valerie
Valerie
Valerie

Why Don’t You Come On Over Valerie…

Here she is doing it acoustically:

And here is the dance version – the one that makes me jump out of cars into the street and dance:

Amy – your talent was otherworldly and I wonder if you are at peace now. Your fan, Rachel