Music of the Day, 7 December 2024
have tissues at the ready
To my best recollection, I’ve never heard a Coldplay song. Their early days coincided with me becoming a stepparent and soon after, a parent. I barely had time for any music. When I finally learned of them, what I heard wasn’t very positive, so I didn’t bother to explore.
Now that I’ve definitely, voluntarily listened to one song, I doubt that I’ll seek out anything else. For me, this track can’t be topped… not because of the music, but because of the legendary actor also in it.
Dick van Dyke was an inescapable element of my childhood. I don’t remember what I saw him in first; it could have been The Dick van Dyke Show. My favorite thing that features him is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a musical adaptation of a book written by Ian Fleming.1 I was delighted when my kids enjoyed the movie too; we watched it regularly.
But back to the music: “All My Love” was on Coldplay’s recent album Moon Music, with Chris Martin calling it the band’s “final single.” A previous version was released along with a different video. It’s a sweet song; but I think without van Dyke’s contribution I’d find it twee.
On December 13, Dick van Dyke will turn 99. It’s amazing to see him in this video, so engaged in life and obviously enjoying himself. It’s hard to believe he overcame alcoholism and was a heavy smoker for years.
As much as I like his goofing through “All My Love,” for me the real magic comes at the end of this video, when someone off camera suggests that van Dyke give Martin a subject for a song to be composed and performed on the spot. I won’t give anything away, but I will say it’s a fun journey and shows that Martin has more talent than I was led to believe.
Still, I’m here for the tribute to Dick van Dyke, whose whimsy and sweet spirit shone through his movies and offered me a respite from my life. I hope the music and video bring you several smiles too.
yep, the guy who wrote the James Bond novels. Cubby Broccoli, who produced many of the Bond films, also produced CCBB
Saw this earlier today elsewhere and marveled. DvD is one of the all time great performers. Thanks for sharing this.
Get the tissues ready is right! I've always loved Dick Van Dyke too, avid viewer of his TV shows and movies. He and Mickey Rooney made the Night at the Museum movies so much more fun, and Mary Poppins wouldn't have been the same without him.
Thanks for sharing this. I don't know Coldplay's or Chris Martin's music well either, so it was a nice intro to his talent.