Inspired by blogger-ami, Luke’s preference for English songs done over for a French audience reminded me of the French song C’est si Bon was pimped for performance by one of my favourite American singers in exile in the 1950’s, Eartha Kitt.

My mind naturally wanders to fond memories of my formative years, Miss Kitt as Cat Woman in the 1960’s and me dancing in a dubious Blackpool night spot to the 1982 popular hit song Where is My Man.

I was honoured to see the 1987 London production of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. I was so excited to be seeing Eartha singing I’m Still Here that I sent a red rose to the theatre, a tribute from an adoring fan. I’m sure that Eartha Kitt spent most of her 1989 concert at the Malvern Winter Gardens on a chaise longue, sadly my second and last opportunity of seeing Eartha live on stage.

I have included the lyrics from I’m Still Here below because I sing along to them, from Metrolyrics, 2013, http://www.metrolyrics.com/im-still-here-from-follies-lyrics-stephen-sondheim.html, viewed 9 December 2013

Good times and bum times, I’ve seen them all

And, my dear, I’m still here

Plush velvet sometimes

Sometimes just pretzels and beer, but I’m here

I’ve stuffed the dailies in my shoes

Strummed ukuleles, sung the blues

Seen all my dreams disappear but I’m here.

I’ve slept in shanties, guest of the W.P.A., but I’m here

Danced in my scanties

Three bucks a night was the pay, but I’m here

I’ve stood on bread lines with the best

Watched while the headlines did the rest

In the depression was I depressed?

Nowhere near, I met a big financier and I’m here

I’ve been through Gandhi, Windsor and Wally’s affair, and I’m here

Amos ‘n’ Andy, Mah-jongg and platinum hair, and I’m here

I got through Abie’s, Irish Rose, Five Dionne babies, Major Bowes

Had heebie-jeebies for Beebe’s, Bathysphere

I got through Shirley Temple, and I’m here

I’ve gotten through Herbert and J. Edgar Hoover

Gee, that was fun and a half

When you’ve been through Herbert and J. Edgar Hoover

Anything else is a laugh

I’ve been through Reno, I’ve been through Beverly Hills, and I’m here.

Reefers and vino, rest cures, religion and pills, and I’m here

Been called a ‘Pinko’, commie tool, got through it stinko by my pool

I should’ve gone to an acting school, that seems clear

Still someone said, “She’s sincere”, so I’m here

Black sable one day, next day it goes into hock, but I’m here

Top billing Monday, Tuesday, you’re touring in stock, but I’m here

First you’re another sloe-eyed vamp

Then someone’s mother, then you’re camp

Then you career from career to career

I’m almost through my memoirs, and I’m here

I’ve gotten through, “Hey, lady, aren’t you whoozis?

Wow, what a looker you were”

Or better yet, “Sorry, I thought you were whoozis

Whatever happened to her?”

Good times and bum times, I’ve seen ’em all

And, my dear, I’m still here

Flush velvet sometimes

Sometimes just pretzels and beer, but I’m here

I’ve run the gamut, A to Z

Three cheers and dammit, C’est la vie

I got through all of last year, and I’m here

Lord knows, at least I was there, and I’m here

Look who’s here, I’m still here

Songwriter:

Stephen Sondheim

Related:

Elemental Profundity

Sondheim Guide

C’est si Bon