Song of the Week: Paradise

Written in the late 60s by Harry Nilsson for the Ronettes, Phil Spector refused to release it. It became a rare gem sought by collectors for years. The Ronettes' version was replete with sound effects as a follow up to the splendid, "Walking in the Rain." Red Bird gave it to the Shangri-Las where its power was diluted. Bette Midler recorded, of course, what amounted to satire. It is the quintessential "Girl Group Song" appealing to raging adolescent female hormones.

The song is either high camp or intentionally campy, but it is glorious in its proclamation of what passion and true love might be. Jim Webb's production of The Supremes with Jean Terrell in the lead was yet another unique cut on the album he did for them on Motown, Jean's penultimate endeavour. One gets lost in its emotions in spite of one's self. It is their version you hear on the main site.

There is a land I know
Where lovers go and flowers grow
Forevermore,
Where time is standing still
And lovers fill the quiet places by the shore
We'll cross the rainbow to a place where we'll be free
and he'll give his love to me,
So I wait for the day when he takes me away to Paradise
He'll take me by the hand to Paradise
We'll walk along the sand in Paradise
Never Never Land in Paradise


We'll build a castle there
Where we can share
The happiness we've waited for
Where white Flamingos fly way up high
And play above the ocean's roar

We'll climb the mountain to see our wonderland
Maybe now you'll understand
Why I wait for the day when he takes me away to Paradise

He'll take me by the hand to Paradise
We'll walk along the sand in Paradise
Never neverland in Paradise

I'll stand by him
Do right by him
And I swear I swear that I would die for him
die for him die for him

Paradise
He'll take me by the hand to Paradise ...

Once again we dedicate the song to Thorsten Kaye, but this time along with his co-star, Alicia Minshew. And once again it is important to point out that if there is anything worthwhile going on in the world of Soap Operas it is because of the likes of actors who give their best in rising above it all and the loyalty of their fans. Few are more deserving than these two. There's no doubt that the reunion of Zach and Kendall on All My Children is a return to Paradise for their many fans.

On a personal level Ms Minshew, along with her co-star, has the ability to make someone feel special, which makes it easy to return the favour. She is just that in her own right.

Soap Operas are supposed to appeal to the same kind of hormones that Harry Nilsson's song reached out to, among other things. The best stories have to do with relationships -- relationships that viewers root for. The true romance of Zach and Kendall is a paradise that is a saving grace for a show very much in need of grace and salvation.