Regina Spektor • My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)
Song of the Day: My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year), by Regina Spektor.
This is such a delightful song to listen to — My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year). Though it’s been around for a few years now, it was new to me this year. And I can’t get enough of it. It’s so simple and fresh sounding.
Now, Regina Spektor on Spotify:
My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)
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A Little about the Song and Regina
There isn’t a lot known about the origins of the song. Except that the music was written by Paul Horner, and the lyrics written by Peggy Lee. Lee (1920-2002) was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress, over a career spanning six decades. She was prominent in the 1940s and 50s, and got her start with Benny Goodman’s big band.
We do know the song My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year) was written for Peggy Lee's 1983 Broadway musical, “Peg,” but was cut from the show. The Broadway show was not a success. And then for some reason, the song was not released until 2006.
Regina Spektor released her version of the song for Christmas time 2007. Named Regina Ilyinichna Spektor, she is a Russian-born American singer, songwriter, and pianist. After self-releasing her first three records and gaining popularity in New York City's indie and anti-folk music scene in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Spektor signed with Sire Records In 2004. She has had 2 albums which debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200, and one with a Gold certification.
Spektor says the records that have most impacted her are those of "bands whose music is really involved,” citing such artists as the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, Kate Bush, David Bowie, and Billie Holiday. Oh, and of course, Chopin!
Well, and we know that she obviously had an appreciation for artists like Peggy Lee, to whom she is indebted for this great New Years song. Hope you enjoy it half as much as I have.
If you’re reading this, congratulations for surviving 2020, in all its chaotic splendor. We can only hope that 2021 will be better (I have to admit that I have my doubts, but you’re not supposed to say things like that on New Years Day, so I won’t!).
Blessings to you and yours in the days ahead. I do hope it’s a wonderful year ahead for you.
Thanks again for reading my little music blog this year.
Happy New Year everyone. 🎆
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Also, before you go, I hope you’ll check out another Spotify link below.
This is my personal playlist on Spotify for New Years 2020/2021. It was also attached to yesterday’s entry. Hope you enjoy it as I have...
New Years Eve 2020/2021 Playlist
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Full Lyrics
My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)
Regina Spektor
My dear acquaintance, it's so good to know you
For strength of your hand
That is loving and giving
And a happy new year
With love overflowing
With joy in our hearts
For the blessed new year
Raise your glass and we'll have a cheer
For us all who are gathered here
And a happy new year to all that is living
To all that is gentle, kind, and forgiving
Raise your glass and we'll have a cheer
My dear acquaintance, a happy new year
All of those who are hither and yonder
With love in our hearts
We grow fonder and fonder
Hail to those who we hold so dear
And hail to those who are gathered here
And a happy new year to all that is living
To all that is gentle, young, and forgiving
Raise your glass and we'll have a cheer
My dear acquaintance, a happy new year
Happy new year
My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)
