Barbra Streisand is back at the top of the charts again with ‘Partners’, a collection of duets covering hits from her own back catalogue. Unfortunately Plant Curator’s all time favourite ‘You don’t bring me flowers’ is not included, but the presence of ‘Evergreen’ means this album is not without plant content.
Over four decades ago, this pleasure-giving, multi-talented performer starred in one of the most exuberant floral scenes ever filmed, singing one of the most plant inspired songs ever written. Released in 1970, ‘On A Clear Day You Can See Forever’ is a musical/romantic fantasy film directed by Vincente Minnelli, starring Barbra and Yves Montand. In one scene Barbra sings the song called ‘Hurry! It’s Lovely Up Here’ while dancing around a formal garden displaying some magically blooming (with the aid of time-lapse) tulips, hyacinths, irises, roses and daffodils. It’s lovely to see her enjoyment of the plants, although cuddling roses at the end is slightly reckless, and someone should have let her know that referring to pelargoniums as geraniums is botanically incorrect; BUT these are minor issues and in no-way could they possibly detract from her or the scene’s overall delightfulness.
Hurry! It’s Lovely Up Here
Music: Burton Lane
Lyrics: Alan Jay Lerner
Hey buds below … up is where to grow
Up with which below can’t compare with.
Hurry – it’s lovely up here …
Life down a hole takes an awful toll,
What with not a soul there to share with
Hurry – it’s lovely up here!
Wake up, bestir yourself, it’s time that you disinter yourself
You’ve got a spot to fill – a pot to fill
And what a gift package of showers, sun and love
You’ll be met above everywhere with,
Fondled and sniffed by millions who drift by,
Life here is rosy – if you’re a posy
Hurry it’s lovely here!
Climb up geranium, it can’t be fun subterran-ium
On the exterior, it’s cheerier
RSVP peonies, pollinate the breeze,
Make the queen of bees hot as brandy
Come give at least a preview of Easter
Come up and see the good we’re giving
Come up and see the grounds for living
Come poke your head out,
Open up and spread out,
Hurry it’s lovely here!
